What is it?
PATH_V 438 is an opportunity for students to gain research experience. Typically, research projects are carried out in the laboratory of a faculty member of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, who acts as a supervisor. The Course Coordinators may approve a project within another department if that department does not offer a directed studies course.
The student is expected to participate in the design of the project as well as perform experimental manipulations and data analysis. So far as is possible, the project should be small enough to be complete in its self. The choice of topics is left to the discretion of the supervisor in agreement with the student. A list of project titles from previous years can be found here. More technical topics such as method development and evaluation are entirely appropriate. PATH_V 438 may include library research. The project is intended to be an independent, short-term project and cannot be a sub-study of an ongoing study or continuation of a Summer Studentship.
Typically students spend a minimum half a day every week working in the lab for the project, but the time commitment for each project is different and is determined by the supervisor in consultation with the student. Note: Students usually spend more than the formal 78 hours required for a 6 credit course.
On completion, the student presents his/her results in the form of a written research paper (format to follow a journal appropriate to the field). Course grade is based upon the results of an oral presentation (10%) graded by two members of the faculty (other than the supervisor) knowledgeable in the field of study; the contents of the written paper (45%) and an evaluation of the student by the supervisor (45%). The supervisor is expected to exercise an editorial and analytical function in the preparation of the research paper.
Students are encouraged to submit an abstract for Pathology Day (usually held in June) to present the results of his/her research, with the permission of the project supervisor. The abstract should be prepared by both the student and the supervisor. The abstract will not be evaluated as part of the course.
Oral Presentations: TBA (location UBC Hospital, G226 Vassar Seminar Room, Dept. of Pathology)
Written reports: TBA (submitted in Canvas)
If you have questions that have not been addressed, please contact the Course Coordinators, Dr. Anuli Uzozie or Dr. Sukhbir Kaur