This course aims to support students through the process of critically analysing a scientific paper, developing a novel hypothesis or research question, and proposing an experiment to address a hypothesis or question arising from that paper. Students will choose a paper to review, and teaching sessions will involve student presentations and discussions with staff and small groups of fellow students. 

This course is made up of tutorials that take place in semester 2.

60%: Prerecorded slide presentation with video of the student delivering audio voiceover, critically discussing one of the figures in a research paper. 8-10 minutes long (ILO 1 and 2)

40%: Written research plan comprising a scientific question and experiment(s), based on the topic in the resaearch paper. 1-2 pages, typically 1000 words (ILO 3 and 4)

Adjustments and accommodations for students with disabilities will be provided as recommended by their study support plans. For the pre-recorded voiceover, adjustments could include the use of text-to-speech software or a sign language interpretor.  

This course aims to help students develop the key skills of critical paper analysis and experimental planning.  

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Critically discuss data presented in a published, peer reviewed scientific paper

2. Present the critical discussion in the form of a slide presentation with video and audio voiceover

3. Propose a novel, testable hypothesis or research question

4. Design an experiment or series of experiments to test the hypothesis

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.