Anatomy and Cell Biology

Unit Code

00023

Department/Institution Offering Unit

Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
Level 7, Medical Building
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences The University of Melbourne
Parkville
Victoria 3010 Australia

web: www.anatomy.unimelb.edu.au/

Unit Points

Research Points: 87.5 - 100

Coursework Points: 0 - 12.5

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Contacts

Unit Coordinator/s:

Assoc Prof Colin Anderson
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
Level 7, Medical Building
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
The University of Melbourne
Parkville
Victoria 3010 Australia

tel: +61 3 8344 5807
fax: +61 3 9347 5219
email: c.anderson@unimelb.edu.au

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Overall Objectives

This subject is designed to:

• provide an introduction to advanced biomedical research in molecular, cell and systems biology
• enable the acquisition of research skills in specific areas
• encourage the development of the abilities to think both independently and critically through the continual analysis and evaluation of experimental data
• improve oral and written communication skills

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Content

Coursework: Students undertake a research project under the close supervision of a member of staff. Students are required to complete a literature review based on their research project, attend departmental seminars, prepare a thesis, and defend their research in an oral defence. Thus, the subject is designed to involve students in every aspect of the scientific research process, from experimental design, through data collection and report preparation, to report presentation.

At the beginning of the course, students are able to undertake ONE of the following couses in research methods training (each 12.5 points). In some cases, however, research methods training will be provided by the supervisor, and the student will be exempted from the training course if approved by the Unit Coordinator and the AMS Coordinator. The courses are: Intermediate Epidemiology and Biostatistics OR Qualitative Health Research. The allocation of coursework/research points will depend upon the above.

Research: The research interests of the department are focused on aspects of  neuroscience, including developmental neurobiology, cell biology and functional human anatomy. Specific projects include: the biology of pain and the enteric nervous system and in role in inflammatory bowel disease (in neuroscience), the mechanisms of neural crest cell differentiation, Hirschsprung's disease and the genetics of axon projection in Drosophila (in developmental neurobiology), the biology of stem cells in developing testis and the role of signalling molecules in cancer and lens development (in cell biology), the functional anatomy of nervous, vascular and lymphatic systems as they pertain to reconstructive plastic surgery (in functional human anatomy). The most modern scientific techniques and equipment are available in the department to use in these studies .

Sample Research Topics:

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Assessment Breakdown

Research Component: 87.5 - 100 points
Research Report (up to 10,000 words): 90%
Oral presentation: 10%

Coursework Component: 0 - 12.5 points
If applicable, Intermediate Epidemiology and Biostatistics/Qualitative Health Research will be assessed as per subject description

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Student Numbers

Number of places available:
8