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.
You will share your project work with peers through course discussions and exchange feedback to enhance your topic exploration.
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
| Activity | Points | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Integrity Quiz | 10 | 1 |
| Week 1 Discussion - Topic consideration | 40 | 4 |
| Week 2 Assignment - Research Topic Selection | 100 | 10 |
| Week 3 Discussion | 25 | 2.5 |
| Week 3 Assignment - Drafted Introduction | 50 | 5 |
| Week 4 Assignment - Knowledge Map | 50 | 5 |
| Week 4 Assignment- Refined Introduction | 50 | 5 |
| Week 5 Assignment - Research Plan Part 1 - Objectives/hypotheses | 50 | 5 |
| Week 6 Assignment - Research Plan Part 2 - approaches to test hypotheses | 50 | 5 |
| Week 7 Discussion - Introduction/Hypothesis: Peer feedback | 100 | 10 |
| Week 8 Discussion - Elevator Pitch: Peer Feedback | 100 | 10 |
| Week 9 Discussion | 25 | 2.5 |
| Week 9 Assignment - Research Plan Part 3 - Expected Outcomes | 50 | 5 |
| Week 10 Assignment - Drafted Conclusion | 50 | 5 |
| Week 11 Assignment - Refined Conclusion | 50 | 5 |
| Week 12 Assignment - Final Presentation of research plan (slides) | 50 | 5 |
| Week 13 Assignment - Final Presentation of research plan (5-minute video) | 100 | 10 |
| Week 14 Assignment - Course Reflection | 50 | 5 |
| Total | 1000 | 100 |
| 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 |
Spring AB Session Dates 1/14/2026 – 5/8/2026
Week 1: Wednesday – Sunday
Week 2: Monday – Sunday
Week 3: Monday – Sunday
Week 4: Monday – Sunday
Week 5: Monday – Sunday
Week 6: Monday – Sunday
Week 7: Monday – Sunday
Week 8: Monday – Sunday
Spring Break
Week 9: Monday – Sunday
Week 10: Monday – Sunday
Week 11: Monday – Sunday
Week 12: Monday – Sunday
Week 13: Monday – Sunday
Week 14: Monday – Sunday
| Assessments | Due | |
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Week 1: Scientific Curiosity |
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Week 2: Focused Research |
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Week 3: Introduction Draft |
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Week 4: Refined Introduction |
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Week 5: Research Direction |
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Week 6: Methodological Approach |
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Week 7: Collaboration and Refinement |
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Week 8: Impactful Communication |
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Week 9: Expected Outcomes |
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Week 10: Conclusion Draft |
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Week 11: Refined Conclusion |
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Week 12: Manuscript |
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Week 13: Presentation |
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Week 14: Reflection |
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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'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:
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.
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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.
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.
Generative AI (GenAI) applications (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and similar tools) are increasingly used in academic and professional environments. In the MBS program, AI tools may be used in limited and transparent ways that support learning. They may not substitute for independent scientific reasoning, writing, analysis, or demonstration of mastery of course learning outcomes.
The use of AI in academic work falls under the MBS Academic Integrity Agreement and must align with our commitment to honest, responsible, and professional scholarship. Students should always be able to demonstrate the originality of submitted work if improper use of AI is suspected.
In situations where AI tools are used as a resource, students must:
Failure to acknowledge AI use in submitted work constitutes a violation of academic integrity and will be treated as plagiarism under the MBS Academic Integrity Policy and Student Handbook.
Penalties for AI misuse will follow the MBS program's academic integrity escalation structure. A first offense will result in a zero on the assignment with no opportunity for resubmission. Additional or severe violations may result in course failure and/or referral for program-level review, which may include dismissal from the program.
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 AMA citation and academic writing.
You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.