Course Objective

At the end of the course:
• The student has gained insight in the formulation of scientific
research questions and how these are answered in biomedical science;
• The student can efficiently find, read, understand and critically
judge biomedical literature;
• The student can paraphrase scientific findings and make the
correct
references to used literature;
• The student has learned how scientific data can be presented in
tables
and figures;
• The student has insight in the concepts of scientific integrity,
plagiarism and fraud;
• The student has a good understanding of elementary probability
rules,
as well as statistical concepts of diagnostics;
• The student can explain the relationship between populations and
sampling;
• The student recognizes different kinds of variables and some
frequently used experimental set-ups in which these measurements are
used;
• The student recognizes information bias and selection bias in the
results caused by the way of measuring or the used methodology;
• The student is able to manage bibliographies, create a reference-
list
using software (Endnote);
• The student is able to conduct a literature review;
• The student can give, receive and process (peer) feedback;
• The student is able to reflect on their own work and actions, the
student can draw conclusions on his/her academic development and act
accordingly;
• The student is able to write a (short) scientific report in
academic
English, with regard to text structure, linguistic accuracy and clarity
of formulation.

Course Content

From history to future

The goal of the course is to familiarize students with science,
specifically with biomedical sciences.
By offering small-scale, intensive education, this course will
strengthen the social and academic integration between students.

This course consists of three main topics:
(1) getting to know the university
• Getting to know fellow students (social integration);
• Getting to know the structure and procedures of a university;
• Students work in groups, supported by a mentor (junior lecturer).
(2) getting to know science (academic integration)
• Composing a biomedical hypothesis including a small literature
study,
thereby learning how to gather information from scientific databases and
how to report this in a scientific report;
• An introduction to methodology and probability rules;
• An introduction to scientific ethics, integrity and plagiarism;
• Learning academic writing in English.
(3) getting to know biomedical science
• Getting to know the major research questions in biomedical
sciences in
the past, present and future;
• First acquaintance with the job market.

Teaching Methods

Lectures: average 2h per week
Work groups, computer practical: average 6h per week

• Lecture and discussions in work groups allow students to get to
know
the major research questions and paradigms in biomedical science in
particular;
• Work groups, during which students formulate their own research
question, write a literature review and reflect on the writing process;
• During the computer practical the student learns information
processing skills and how to use Endnote;
• Academic writing in English, supported by a series of work groups
and
feedback on written work;
• Lectures on methodology and probability rules, supplemented by
hands-on exercises about methodology and probability rules in work
groups.

Method of Assessment

In order to pass the course, the student needs to have met the following
requirements:
1. presence at all compulsory parts (all work groups and computer
practical)
2. finished all compulsory assignments, before the due date, via
Canvas

The student will be tested on:
• Exam methodology (50%)
• Report (50%): literature review including reflection report,
pass/fail
for academic writing.
A minimum score of 5.5 for both the written exam and the report is
required in order to pass.
In case of a resit for the report, a maximum score of 6.0 can be
obtained.

Entry Requirements

No prior knowledge is needed.

Literature

The syllabus can be found on the Canvas-page of Introduction to
Biomedical Sciences.
For methodology the following book will be used: "The Practice of
Statistics in the Life Sciences" by Brigitte Baldi & David S. Moore
(Fourth -or Third- edition). ISBN-13: 978-1-319-18760-6.
Other essential literature will be provided in Canvas.

Target Audience

Compulsory course for first year Biomedical Sciences’ students.

Custom Course Registration

For this course, you need to register yourself for the course via VUnet, including lectures and exam. The faculty will register you for all remain teaching methods.