Program Overview

Degree Project for Master's Degree (60 credits) in Biomedical Laboratory Science

Introduction

The Degree Project for Master's Degree (60 credits) in Biomedical Laboratory Science is a comprehensive course designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct independent research in the field of biomedical laboratory science.

Basdata

• Course Code: 2QA166
• Course Name: Degree Project for Master's Degree in Biomedical Laboratory Science
• Credits: 30
• Education Form: Higher Education, 2007 Study Order
• Main Field of Study: Biomedical Laboratory Science
• Level: A1E - Advanced Level
• Grading Scale: Fail (U) or Pass (G)
• Responsible Institution: Department of Laboratory Medicine
• Decision-Making Body: Board of Education
• Date of Establishment:
• Revised by: Board of Education
• Latest Revision:
• Course Plan Applies from: Spring Term 2017

Special Eligibility

• Bachelor's Degree in Biomedical Laboratory Science (at least 180 credits) or a Bachelor's Degree with a major in Biomedical Laboratory Science.
• In addition, 30 credits in completed courses are required. Of these 30 credits:
  • At least 15 credits must be at an advanced level.
• Furthermore, Swedish B/Swedish 3 and English A/English 6 with a minimum grade of Pass/E are required.

Objectives

The purpose of the course is for the student to independently conduct a scientific study within the main field of study in a professional context, implying a gradual increase in independence and good ability to cooperate.

Knowledge and Understanding

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

• Apply in-depth knowledge in the main field's scientific basis (in the form of knowledge about biomedicine and medicine, as well as scientific theory and statistics).
• Apply, analyze, and evaluate in-depth knowledge of relevant methods.

Skills and Abilities

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

• Synthesize (search, collect, evaluate, and critically interpret) scientific knowledge based on published scientific data.
• Formulate a delimited research question, including a hypothesis within the main field.
• Develop a design based on knowledge in the main field for how a research question/hypothesis can be investigated.
• Conduct the study based on the chosen design and apply methodology within the main field to answer the research question/hypothesis, and reflect on potential problems during the conduct and with regard to quality assurance and with a high degree of independence.
• Analyze, critically evaluate, and synthesize collected data in an appropriate manner based on its construction.
• Synthesize (compile, discuss, and argue) and account for their own collected data in relation to published scientific data based on their research question/hypothesis in writing and orally.
• Critically review and evaluate scientific data in writing and orally, and relate the results to current research and consider the results' generalizability.

Judgment and Approach

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

• Apply a professional approach by showing ability to good cooperation and ability to complete the study within given time frames.
• Assess, apply, and reflect on a scientific approach and research methodology in accordance with good research practice, ethical guidelines, and societal aspects.
• Demonstrate good insight into the possibilities and limitations of science.
• Analyze and identify their need for further knowledge to develop their competence.

Content

The student, together with a supervisor, designs a scientific study within the main field. The study and documentation around its implementation should be in line with "Research documentation at Karolinska Institutet a handbook" by Cecilia Björkdahl and Karolinska Institutet's "Guidelines for planning, implementation, and documentation of experimental research" according to established guidelines.

Work Methods

Teaching is conducted in the form of independent reading, planning, method application, data collection, and evaluation work in interaction with a supervisor. The interaction with the supervisor includes joint planning of supervision for the scientific process.

The course also includes:

• Mandatory mid-term review.
• Presentation and defense of one's own degree project at a seminar.
• Participation in a seminar as an opponent on another student's written report and oral presentation.

In case of absence from a mandatory part, an agreement is made with the course responsible on how the complement should be made.

Examination

The course is examined through the following parts:

• Active participation in the mid-term review.
• Practical implementation, including ethical considerations.
• Respondent - Oral presentation and defense of one's own degree project.
• Opponent - Critical review of another student's written report and oral presentation.
• Written report.

The written report is submitted no later than the specified date announced by the course leadership. Late submission of the written report is not considered. Students who have not submitted on time are referred to the re-examination opportunity.

In case of a failed respondent or opponent, the student is given the opportunity for a new examination occasion in close connection to the course and one during the regular re-examination period in August.

The written report is submitted in connection with the presentation occasion, and the student then has two weeks to complement the report, after which a grade is set. Students whose report, after complementation, receives a grade of Fail (U) have the opportunity to complement the report at a new examination occasion in close connection to the course. After this, another opportunity for complementation is given during the regular re-examination period in August. In case of a failed final result, the student is given the opportunity to retake the course on one occasion.

Transition Provisions

Examination will be provided for a period of two years after a potential discontinuation of the course. Examination can take place according to the previous literature list for a period of one year after the point in time when a renewal of the literature list has been made.

Other Provisions

Course evaluation will be conducted according to the guidelines established by the Board of Education.

Language of Instruction: Swedish

Literature List and Other Teaching Materials

Course Literature

• Day, Robert A.; Gastel, Barbara, How to write and publish a scientific paper, 6., [updated and enlarged] ed.: Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006 - xv, 302 s. ISBN: -1 (hft.), LIBRIS-ID: , *
• Bring, Johan; Taube, Adam, Introduction to medical statistics, Lund: Studentlitteratur, 2006 - 197 s. ISBN: -1, LIBRIS-ID: , Cover image, *
• Patel, Runa; Davidson, Bo, Research methodology basics: planning, conducting, and reporting a study, 3., [updated] ed.: Lund: Studentlitteratur, 2003 - 149 s. ISBN: , LIBRIS-ID: , *

Research documentation at Karolinska Institutet A handbook Cecilia Björkdahl version 1 June 2010

Guidelines for planning, implementation, and documentation of experimental research Karolinska Institutet