Course syllabus for Degree Project in Biomedicine

Examensarbete i biomedicin

Specific entry requirements

At least grade pass (G) for the courses in semester 1-4: Introduction to Biomedical Science; General and Organic Chemistry; Cell, Stem Cell and Developmental Biology; Biochemistry; Genetics, Genomics and Functional Genomics; Chemical Biology; Biostatistics; Tissue Biology; Immunology and Microbiology; Neuroscience; Physiology; Pathology; Pharmacology and toxicology and The Life Science Industry.
Furthermore, in semester 5, least the grade pass (G) in the part Laboratory practicals (5 hp) in the course Molecular Medicine - Oncology of the Bachelor's Programme in Biomedicine.

Outcomes

The course aims to give the students the opportunity to under supervision work with a scientific project within the field of biomedicine, and thereby get practice to work independently and to use their practical and theoretical knowledge.

Upon completion of the course, the student shall:

Regarding knowledge and understanding

• be able to account for the scientific literature within the field of the project,
• be able to account for experimental methods used to solve a specific scientific question,
• be able to collect data for compilation and statistical calculations

Regarding skills and ability

• demonstrate an understanding of independent, critical and creative thinking,
• be able to use experimental methods to solve a given scientific question,
• demonstrate an understanding of how new scientific hypotheses are formed during the course of the project, and to be able to put this in perspective to what is known withint the specific research field of the project,
• be able to present the work in written and oral form,
• in an objective manner be able to judge others' scientific work

Regarding judgement and approach

• show a professional attitude to collegial cooperation, time planning and connection between theoretical and practical knowledge,
• in a reassuring way and with good order handle valuable scientific material,
• be able to carry out a project work in a research-ethical correct way,
• be able to reflect over a project regarding relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects.

Content

Individual work with emphasis on practical laboratory/experimental work and including some literature studies.
An individual study plan will be written jointly by the student and supervisor also serving as a project description together with methodologies and a time plan.
The project can be performed outside Karolinska Institutet.

Teaching methods

Individual experimental work with data collection under supervision.

Examination

The examination consists of a written report, an oral presentation and an evaluation of the practical work. The examiner sets the grade after consultation with the supervisor and the examining teacher, based on the student's work performance and presentation.

If submission of the report occurs later than the set deadline the student loses the opportunity to obtain the grade of pass with distinction for the course.

Compulsory participation
Opposition of another student's work is compulsory. The examiner assesses if and, in that case, how absence from compulsory components can be compensated. The student must participate in all compulsory parts or compensate for absence in accordance with the examiner's instructions, in order to pass the course. Absence from a compulsory activity may result in the student not being able to compensate the absence until the next time the course is given.

Limited number of examinations or practical training sessions
A student who does not pass the written report or oral / poster presentation [add what is relevant for the course] at their first attempt is entitled to participate in five additional examination sessions. If the student has failed six examinations, no additional examination sessions are provided.

Physically attending or otherwise commencing an examination is regarded as an examination session. An examination, for which the student registered but did not participate, is not counted as an examination session.

The examiner may terminate a student's practical training or equivalent at a placement with immediate effect if the student shows such serious deficiencies in knowledge, skills or approach that the safety of the student and/or other personnel, equipment or valuable reagents/material at the placement are at risk. If a placement requires termination in this way, the student fails the practical work. In such cases, an individual action plan must be drawn up, stating the actions that are required before the student is permitted to perform a new practical placement.

A student who does not pass the practical work (as specified in the assessment criteria) at their placement at their first attempt should perform practical work at a new placement. If the student fails the practical work twice, no additional examination sessions are provided, and the student may not register for future course occasions.

Adaption of examination
If there are special grounds, or a need for adaptation for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to deviate from the syllabus's regulations on the examination form, the number of examination opportunities, the possibility of supplementation or exemptions from the compulsory section/s of the course etc. Content and learning outcomes as well as the level of expected skills, knowledge and abilities may not be changed, removed or reduced.

Other directives

The course language is English.

In order to start and to be registered for the course, a project plan has to be submitted and be approved by the examinator.

Course evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines established by the Board of Higher Education.