DISC 591/592/593/594 Discovery Lab Research Projects for Team-Based Experiential Learning

Not offered in 2024-25

Year 4

9-10 hours/week

3 units

Available

On-Campus Course

This course is designed to provide team-based experiential learning to undergraduate students over two semesters so that they have the competencies required to successfully contribute to interdisciplinary research that advances the biomedical and health-care sectors of our society. This course will provide opportunities for these teams of students to gain experience in various research disciplines, including biochemistry, microbiology, cell biology, physiology, anatomy, neuroscience, computational analyses of data sets, and knowledge translation. DISC students can expect to learn current methods to observe, dissect, manipulate, image, and measure the functions of organisms, organs, tissues, cells, and the molecular machinery within these biological media. Students will also gain experience with examining relevant literature, developing research questions, establishing and testing hypotheses, and designing a research plan with a budget and safety protocols for their team to execute. Each student team will work with a supervisor who will guide the team to design a group project that utilizes the infrastructure in the Discovery labs, and that adheres to the highest standards of professional behaviour.

These paired-courses will be available in three formats, with the expectation that students are enrolled in both courses over 2 terms (see below):

2 x 3 Units - 2 Semester (F/W) - DISC 591 (F) + DISC 593 (W)

2 x 3 Units - 2 Semester (F/W) - DISC 592 (F) + DISC 594 (W)*

*For students who have already taken DISC 591 and 593 (but not other HSCI research courses). Syllabus is identical for 592/594*

Please note, because this is a team-based project, under normal circumstances you will enroll into one of these courses and remain within your team until completion of the program. Withdrawal from the two courses is only possible at the discretion of the Course Coordinator with input from the Supervisor and Program Director, as required.

Prerequisites

Minimum 3rd year (level 3) standing, a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher, registration in the BHSc, LISC, KINE, BIOL, CHEM or BCHM Program, and acceptance by a supervisor.

Exclusions

Maximum 12.0 units from (ANAT 499/12.0; ANAT 599/6.0; BCHM 421/6.0; BCHM 422/6.0; BCHM 594/3.0; BCHM 595/6.0; BCHM 596/12.0; CANC 499/12.0; DISC 591/3.0; DISC 592/3.0; DISC 593/3.0; DISC 594/3.0; DISC 598/6.0; DISC 599/6.0; HSCI 591/3.0; HSCI 592/3.0; HSCI 593/3.0; HSCI 594/3.0; HSCI 595/3.0; HSCI 598/6.0; HSCI 599/6.0; LISC 499/12.0; LISC 594/3.0; LISC 595/6.0; LISC 596/6.0; MICR 499/12.0; NSCI 499/12.0; PATH 499/12.0; PHAR 499/12.0; PHGY 499/12.0; REPD 499/12.0).

(Note: KINE, BIOL and CHEM research students will also be excluded if they are already enrolled in more than 6.0 units of research courses).

Method of Delivery

Group sessions and working with a research supervisor and their research staff.

Learning Outcomes

It is the aim of this course to enable you to:

Develop discipline-specific skillsets and demonstrate an understanding of the philosophical and logistical aspects of team-based research.
To build a project from the ground up, following the same trajectory as established researchers in terms of using the literature to recognize gaps in our understanding, so that hypothesis can be constructed that you can test.
Hone and refine critical thinking skills, and analysis pipelines.
To analyze and present your data in a publication quality manner, and disseminate that data both orally, and in writing.

Evaluations

Milestone	Grade weighting (%)
Draft a team constitution.	5
Produce a GANTT chart to timeline the following milestones.	5
Completion of all online and microcredential courses	5
Notice of Intent (NOI)	25
Proposal of research
Presentation pitch to a lay audience–
Budget Justification
Progress presentation
Literature review
Data management strategy
Methodology and SOPs
Preliminary analyses / results
Public Engagement of Science – podcast/website/video
Interim presentation (end of 1st term)	10
Final presentation (end of 2nd term)	10
Group thesis/paper – this will take the form of a formal paper, and should include a portfolio that contains all certificates, ethics forms, SOPs, code, budgets (end of 2nd term)	40

Milestones: DISC 593 (following 591) or 594 (following 592)	Grade weighting (%)
Final presentation (end of 2nd term)	20
Group thesis/paper – this will take the form of a formal paper, and should include a portfolio that contains all certificates, ethics forms, SOPs, code, budgets (end of 2nd term)	80

Time Commitment

Students can expect to spend approximately 10 hours a week (120 hours per term) in study/practice and online activities for DISC 591/592/593/594.