Degree Project in Biomedicine, 30 credits

At least grade G for all courses in semesters 1 and 2 and registration for the course Research project, 16 credits, or an equivalent course within exchange studies.
 

The course enables students to, under supervision and via independent work, plan and carry out a research project within the biomedical field.

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

Regarding knowledge and understanding

• acquire and critically review relevant scientific literature in support of broadening and deepening his or her knowledge of the chosen project and its biomedical field,
• establish a plan for an experimental project and be able to explain the choice of methods to solve a stated scientific issue,
• collect data for compilation and statistical treatment.

Regarding skills and ability

• show a certain degree of independent, critical and creative thinking,
• apply experimental methods to solve a stated scientific issue,
• place and evaluate his or her own work in the specific research field of the project and in a broader scientific perspective,
• formulate new scientific issues arisen in connection with the implementation of the project,
• critically and objectively  assess others' scientific work and be able to give relevant feedback,
• present his or her work in written and oral forms, for the scientific community,
• present his or her work in written form for laymen,
• reflect upon the ethical concerns of the project, as well as the project's impact on  society.

Regarding judgement and approach

• show a professional approach regarding time planning, collegial cooperation and the relationship between theoretical and practical expertise,
• in a reliable way and with good order handle scientific material,
• carry out the project work according to Karolinska Institutet’s guidelines for ethically correct research.

Individual work with literature studies. An individual project plan will be written by the student and supervisor together. The project work can be performed at other universities or government agencies than Karolinska Institutet or at a company.

Individual work under supervision but with a certain degree of independence, plus participation in seminars, journal clubs and other similar activities taking place where the work is carried out. Studies of scientific literature according to the recommendation of the supervisor and the student's own assessment.

Written summary of the work in the form of a scientific report, a press release aimed at a general (layman) audience and an oral presentation. 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. 

Limited number of examinations or practical training sessions
Students who have not passed the course after their first presentation (written or oral) are entitled to rework their report and/or presentation and participate in five more presentations. If the student has not passed the course after four presentations, he/she is recommended to retake the course the next time it is held, with a new project. In connection with that course the student will be granted two more opportunities to present. If the student has failed six presentations, no additional presentation opportunity  or possibility to retake the course will be offered.

After each course occasion there will be at least six occasions for the examination within a two-year period from the end of the course.

The course language is English.

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