Biomedical Research (RMH)

Unit Code

00032

Department/Institution Offering Unit

Department of Medicine
Royal Melbourne Hospital and Western Hospital, including the National Ageing Research Institute
Victoria Australia

web: www.medrmhwh.unimelb.edu.au

Unit Points

Research Points: 75

Coursework Points: 25

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Contacts

Unit Coordinator/s:

Associate Professor Terence O'Brien
Department of Medicine
Royal Melbourne Hospital
Victoria 3050 Australia

tel: +61 3 8344 3260
email: obrientj@unimelb.edu.au

Alternative Contacts:

Dr Bev Biggs
Department of Medicine
Royal Melbourne Hospital
Victoria 3050 Australia

tel: +61 3 8344 6252
email: babiggs@unimelb.edu.au

Ms Jennifer Kendall
Department of Medicine
Royal Melbourne Hospital
Victoria 3050 Australia

tel: +61 3 8344 5479
fax: +61 3 9348 2254
email: jkendall@unimelb.edu.au

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Overall Objectives

• To understand the basic principles of biomedical research
• To be able to design, carry out and communicate the results of original research in basic biomedical science or clinical medicine
• To understand the importance of the interface between basic science and clinical medicine
• To be able to critically evaluate biomedical literature
• To understand how the results of medical research are translated to improve the clinical care of patients

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Content

Coursework:The two components (each 12.5 points) are:

Intermediate Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Semester 6)

Introduction to Hospital Medicine (Semester 7):
This course consists of two months of weekly bed-side tutorials conducted by clinicians who are supervising AMS students in the Department. The purpose of these tutorials is to enhance the students understanding of how the results of medical research are translated into improving the clinical care of patients. Each student will assess a patient with a condition related to their research project and the present to the other students and the tutor. Discussion will relate to clinical and research aspects of the disease area.

Research: The Research project may be primarily clinical or laboratory based (relevant to clinical practice). Projects will be offered across a broad range of disciplines including diabetes, infectious diseases, gastroenterology and cancer, rheumatology, neurology, ageing, nuclear medicine and respiratory medicine.

Sample Research Topics:

We have clinically relevant projects that may involve basic science or clinical research methods, or a combination of both in the following disciplines:

1. Bone Health
2. Epilepsy
3. Nuclear Medicine
4. Breast Cancer
5. Gastroenterology
6. Neurology
7. Colorectal Medicine
8. Genetics
9. Rheumatology
10. Diabetes
11. Immigrant and Refugee Health
12. Respiratory Medicine
13. Epidemiology
14. Infectious Diseases (A/Prof Damon Eisen has provided a powerpoint presentation for your information [480KB])
15. Ageing (NARI)
    

A detailed list of projects is available from: http://www.medrmhwh.unimelb.edu.au/courses/ams/projects.html

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Assessment Breakdown

Research Component: 75 points
Research Report (up to 8,000 words): 75%
Oral presentation (15 minutes): 25%

Coursework Component: 25 points
Intermediate Epidemiology and Biostatistics, assessed as per subject description: 12.5 points
Introduction to Hospital Medicine: 12.5 points. 1 hour multiple choice answer examination.

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Student Numbers

Number of places available: 25