Experimental investigations: Learning from the lab

This unit gives you direct experience of contemporary laboratory-based research in pharmaceutical science.

You will observe and participate in a range of relevant activities sampling the gamut of skills required to be a successful and responsible researcher. These will include the planning, execution and analysis of experiments and other research/laboratory work, as well as the professional skills of record keeping, peer review and effective communication. To assist you with your learning, you will interview a research scientist and participate in a series of laboratory/research sessions and workshops focussed on the modern pharmaceutical science research experience as you devise and plan a research project proposal. During a research intensive at the end of semester you will gain hands-on experience in experimental and/or computational research activities as well as the associated data analyses, visualisation and interpretations.

You will create a written and oral portfolio of your laboratory and research experience, which will include a detailed laboratory journal, a comprehensive project proposal outline, and an oral presentation.

Upon completing the unit, you will have a working understanding of the factors that facilitate and challenge research progress, which you can use to critically guide your professional behaviour, be it in a research environment or the broader workplace.