Syllabus

Master of Biomedical Science

MBS 750: Biomedical Science in Practice

Credits - 3

Description

This course presents students with an opportunity to showcase the advanced concepts in biomedical science that they have acquired in the MBS program. Over the duration of the course, students will select a topic of significance within the biomedical or healthcare field, conduct research, identify logical next steps of discovery in the field, and synthesize their findings into a well-rounded, evidence-based written report. The project will culminate in a professional-quality presentation, showcasing the student’s ability to communicate complex scientific concepts effectively. By focusing on the leading edge of biomedical science discovery and application, students will gain valuable experience in scientific writing, data analysis, and presenting to both academic and professional audiences.

Materials

No textbook will be used for this course.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Course Outcomes

  1. Identify and research a biomedical science issue.
  2. Create a well-organized research manuscript and presentation.
  3. Present a project in a professional, concise research manuscript and presentation.

Assignments

Course Discussions

You will share your project work with peers through course discussions and exchange feedback to enhance your topic exploration.

Project

  • Introduction
    • You will draft and refine an introduction for your project.
  • Research Plan Part 1 – Hypotheses/Objectives
    • You will outline two distinct research hypotheses for your proposed project.
  • Research Plan Part 2 – Approaches to test hypotheses
    • You will describe the methodological approach you would use to answer your research questions.
  • Research Plan Part 3 – Expected Outcomes
    • Using what you have learned so far, you will predict outcomes and results for your project.
  • Conclusion
    • You will draft and refine a conclusion that aligns with your introduction and summarizes the key findings or anticipated outcomes of your proposed research.

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

ActivityPointsPercentage
Academic Integrity Quiz101
Week 1 Discussion - Topic consideration404
Week 2 Assignment - Research Topic Selection10010
Week 3 Discussion252.5
Week 3 Assignment - Drafted Introduction 505
Week 4 Assignment - Knowledge Map505
Week 4 Assignment- Refined Introduction505
Week 5 Assignment - Research Plan Part 1 - Objectives/hypotheses505
Week 6 Assignment - Research Plan Part 2 - approaches to test hypotheses505
Week 7 Discussion - Introduction/Hypothesis: Peer feedback10010
Week 8 Discussion - Elevator Pitch: Peer Feedback10010
Week 9 Discussion252.5
Week 9 Assignment - Research Plan Part 3 - Expected Outcomes505
Week 10 Assignment - Drafted Conclusion505
Week 11 Assignment - Refined Conclusion505
Week 12 Assignment - Final Presentation of research plan (slides)505
Week 13 Assignment - Final Presentation of research plan (5-minute video)10010
Week 14 Assignment - Course Reflection505
Total1000100

Grade Scale

Grade Points Grade Point Average (GPA)
A 94 – 100% 4.00
A- 90 – 93% 3.75
B+ 87 – 89% 3.50
B 84 – 86% 3.00
B- 80 – 83% 2.75
C+ 77 – 79% 2.50
C 74 – 76% 2.00
C- 70 – 73% 1.75
D 64 – 69% 1.00
F 00 – 63% 0.00

Schedule

Course Schedule

Week 1: May 7 – May 11
Week 2: May 12 – May 18
Week 3: May 19 – May 25
Week 4: May 26 – June 1
Week 5: June 2 – June 8
Week 6: June 9 – June 15
Week 7: June 16 – June 22
Week 8: June 23 – June 29
Week 9: June 30 – July 6
Week 10: July 7 – July 13
Week 11: July 14 – July 20
Week 12: July 21 – July 27
Week 13: July 28 – August 3
Week 14: August 4 – August 10

  Assessments Due

Week 1:

Scientific Curiosity

  • Week 1 Discussion
  • Discussion – Initial post by Friday at 11:59 PM ET, responses by Sunday at 11:59 PM ET.

Week 2:

Focused Research

  • Week 2 Assignment: Topic Selection
  • Assignment due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET

Week 3:

Introduction Draft

  • Week 3 Assignment: Introduction Draft
  • Discussion – Initial post by Friday at 11:59 PM ET, responses by Sunday at 11:59 PM ET.
  • Assignment due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET

Week 4:

Refined Introduction

  • Week 4 Assignment: Introduction Revision
  • Week 4 Assignment: Knowledge Map
  • Assignments due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET

Week 5:

Research Direction

  • Week 5 Assignment: Research Plan Part 1 – Hypotheses/Objectives
  • Assignment due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET

Week 6:

Methodological Approach

  • Week 6 Assignment: Research Plan Part 2 – Approaches to test hypotheses
  • Assignment due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET

Week 7:

Collaboration and Refinement

  • Week 7 Discussion: Peer Feedback
  • Discussion – Initial post by Friday at 11:59 PM ET, responses by Sunday at 11:59 PM ET.

Week 8:

Impactful Communication

  • Week 8 Discussion: Elevator Pitch
  • Discussion – Initial post by Friday at 11:59 PM ET, responses by Sunday at 11:59 PM ET.

Week 9:

Expected Outcomes

  • Week 9 Assignment: Research Plan Part 3 – Expected Outcomes
  • Discussion – Initial post by Friday at 11:59 PM ET, responses by Sunday at 11:59 PM ET.
  • Assignment due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET

Week 10:

Conclusion Draft

  • Week 10 Assignment: Drafted Conclusion
  • Assignment due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET

Week 11:

Refined Conclusion

  • Week 11 Assignment: Refined Conclusion
  • Assignment due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET

Week 12:

Manuscript

  • Week 12 Assignment: Final Research Proposal Manuscript
  • Assignment due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET

Week 13:

Presentation

  • Week 13 Assignment: Final Presentation of Research Plan
  • Assignment due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET

Week 14:

Reflection

  • Week 14 Assignment: Course Reflection
  • Assignment due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET

Student Resources

Online Student Support

Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.

UNE Libraries:

UNE Student Academic Success Center

UNE's Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of free online services to support your academic achievement. Writing support, ESOL support, study strategy and learning style consultations, as well as downloadable resources, are available to all matriculating students. To make an appointment for any of these services, go to une.tutortrac.com. For more information and to view and download writing and studying resources, please visit:

Accommodations

Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.

Online Peer Support

Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.

Information Technology Services (ITS)

Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.

ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.

Career Ready Program

The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!

The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.

Policies

Use of Artificial Intelligence

Generative AI (GenAI) applications (like ChatGPT) have proven to be powerful and effective tools, and students are encouraged to become familiar with and use them. However, as with any tool, students must use GenAI in ways that support their roles as learners and professionals. The use of AI in academic work falls under our academic integrity agreement, ensuring that all AI applications are used in alignment with our commitment to honest and responsible learning.

In situations in which AI tools are used as a resource, students must:

  • Ensure that all submitted academic work adequately demonstrates student learning (i.e., that the student, rather than a machine, has met the learning outcomes related to the assessment).
  • Acknowledge, in written assessments and extra-curricular applications, the role played by AI tools in producing the student’s work (this can usually be done in a citation or by including a session transcript).
  • Take ultimate responsibility for accuracy of results, think critically about them, and never substitute them for professional human judgment.
  • Monitor GenAI output for bias and risks for vulnerable populations and underrepresented groups.

As GenAI continues to evolve, students should also stay abreast of best practices and changing risks and benefits.

Please note that individual courses or assignments may have specific guidelines regarding AI use — please refer to your faculty’s directions or assignment instructions for details.

Proctored Examinations

Your course may have proctored exams. You may use a built-in camera and microphone in your laptop for proctored exam sessions. Please see your course for full details, access, testing requirements, and guidelines.

Students must follow all proctoring requirements for their exams to be credited. Please contact your instructor for specific feedback.

AMA Writing Style Statement

The American Medical Association Manual (AMA) of Style, 11th edition is the required writing format for this program. Additional support for academic writing and AMA format is provided throughout the coursework as well as at the UNE Portal for Online Students.

Online resources: AMA Style Guide

Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool

The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.

Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.

You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements

Course Evaluation Policy

Course surveys are one of the most important tools that University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.

Late Policy

Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.

Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.

Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Attendance Policy

6- to 8-week courses: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.

10+ -week courses: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.

Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures

The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.

UNE Online Student Handbook

UNE Course Withdrawal

Please contact your Enrollment and Retention Counselor if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. Tuition charges may still apply. Students are strongly urged to consult with Student Financial Services, as course withdrawals may affect financial aid or Veterans benefits.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

  1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
  2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
  3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
  4. Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
  5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.