Course syllabus for Degree project in biostatistics and data science

Examensarbete i biostatistik och datavetenskap

Specific entry requirements

At least the grade G (Pass) for all compulsory courses in semesters 1 and 2.

Outcomes

The course aims to equip the student with the knowledge, competence, skills, and judgement to be able to apply theory, models, and methods in biostatistics and data science to independently analyse and solve a major problem related to biology, medicine, and health science. The course aims to equip the student with the knowledge, competence, skills, and judgement to plan and carry out the work, and present and defend the work both orally and in a professionally written report.

Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:

Regarding knowledge and understanding

• Show knowledge of the disciplinary foundation of the chosen subject area and an advanced understanding of current research and development activities as well as advanced method knowledge.

Regarding skills and abilities

• Demonstrate the ability to with overall view, critical and systematic, search, collect and integrate knowledge as well as identify his/her need of additional knowledge.
• Demonstrate the ability to identify, analyse, assess and handle complex phenomena, issues and situations also with limited information
• Demonstrate the ability to plan and with adequate methods carry out qualified assignments within given time frames as well as to evaluate this work.
• Show such skills that is required to participate in research and development or to independently work in other qualified activities.
• Demonstrate the ability to account orally and in writing in dialogue with different groups and discuss his/her conclusions and the knowledge and the arguments that underlie these.

With respect to judgement and approach

• Demonstrate the ability to make assessments considering relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects.
• Adapt to evolving methodologies and emerging trends in statistical methods for biomedical research, fostering a lifelong commitment to professional development and continuous learning.
• Act respectfully towards researchers, patients, other students, teachers and staff as well as take active responsibility for his/her own learning and professional development.

Content

The course starts with that a project plan is prepared by the student together with the supervisor. An individual project work is carried out based on what has been agreed in the project plan. The work is presented in a written report as well as orally at a seminar. Also included is to write a press release and to publicly discuss and oppose another degree project at the seminar.

Teaching methods

The teaching consists of supervision and seminars.

Examination

The examination consists of the following components:

• Written presentation, including a project plan, a scientific report, and a press release;
• Individual oral presentation;
• Critical review of a fellow student's written report.

Detailed assessment criteria are made available at the beginning of the course.

The examiner decides the grade after having consulted the supervisor and examining teachers, based on the implementation and final presentation of the work.

Late submission of the independent project will influence the right to supervision and potentially effect the final grade.

Students who have passed the examination may not undertake a new examination in an attempt to obtain a higher grades.

Compulsory participation
Participation in seminars 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.

Limit to the number of examinations
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.