Medicine, Dentistry and Health SciencesDepartment of Otolaryngology

Hearing Sciences Research.  Unit Code 00267 

General Overview

The Advanced Medical Science course is a part of the medical course in the School of Medicine at the University of Melbourne. It is undertaken in the 6th and 7th semester of the MBBS degree, and can be used as an exit point from that course (with a BMedSc degree).

The Department of Otolaryngology is placed at the forefront of research to alleviate the effects of deafness. A main focus of research is the cochlear implant. The AMS unit is designed to introduce the student to this multi-disciplinary research field. The objectives of the course are to encourage the student to gain detailed background knowledge of the basic hearing sciences, the skills necessary to carry out scientific research (that is, laboratory research methodology and data analysis techniques), and the ability to critically review scientific papers to gain information relevant to a particular topic. The student will also gain experience in written and oral communication of literature reviews and research results.

The research projects encompass auditory neurophysiology, immunohistochemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology and histopathological studies. Projects in psychophysics and speech science are also available. We also undertake studies to determine the biochemistry and molecular pharmacology that may underpin the regeneration of neuronal fibers and of the structures of the inner ear.

Course Components

The Advanced Medical Science unit offered by the department of Otolaryngolgy is of two semesters duration, and comprises:

• Coursework subject: Intermediate Epidemiology and Biostatistics [12.5 points]
• Research project [87.5 points]. The research component will be assessed by a written research report of maximum length 9,000 words [75 points] and two oral presentations[12.5 points]. The first of these will be in Semester 6, in which the student will present a critical literature review of the topic of their research project, as well as a methodological description and rationale for their research project. The second will be in Semester 7, in which the student will present the results of their experimental project, and a critical discussion of the findings.
• Students will be required to attend the weekly departmental seminars and will be encouraged to attend lectures relevant to their research project.

Student Selection

A maximum of four students will be selected for the Hearing Sciences Research unit. The selection will be based on academic merit and the student's demonstrated interest in research and hearing sciences. It is essential that applicants visit the department to discuss possible projects and supervisors.

Contact Details 

Course Coordinator

Student Services Officer

Ms Annie Cruse
Ph. +61 3 9035 5322
email: acruse@unimelb.edu.au