Independent Learning Project (ILP)

The Independent Learning Project (ILP) is intended to provide UNSW medical students with a period of in-depth study that engenders an approach to medicine that is constantly questioning and self-critical. The ILP aims to promote lifelong learning patterns and skills which will enable them to approach future medical challenges in their careers with a rigor and depth not possible without a detailed knowledge of the formal processes of research, literature appraisal, data collection, analysis and presentation.

By the end of the ILP the students will be expected to achieve the following specific goals:
• An ability and inclination to question the basis of current scientific thinking in relation to medical and public health practice.
• To retrieve literature on a topic and demonstrate a familiarity with the use of medical databases.
• To evaluate current knowledge in a field and to provide a critical appraisal of that body of knowledge.
• To identify a problem in their chosen field and to understand and participate in the process of designing a scientific investigation of the problem.
• To be aware of the ethical issues involved in medical research as applied to their area of study.
• To critically evaluate data including the appropriate use and application of analytical procedures.

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Scholarships

Every year, several scholarships are offered for students undertaking ILP in certain areas. Examples of the scholarships currently being offered to ILP students are:

• The Raymond O'Sainty award in Medicine
• Lorrie Fay Memorial Kidsafe Scholarship
• Balnaves Foundation Indigenous Medical ILP Award

Structure

Three courses [MFAC4501-3] collectively comprise the Independent Learning Project and must be taken consecutively. After completing Phase 1, all students (unless exempt) will be required to undertake an Independent Learning Project (ILP) equivalent to 3 x 8-week blocks. During the course of the ILP period the students will also complete 12 units of credit in general education courses (2008 cohort). In order to complete this requirement, ILP enrolment will be staggered over 4 x 8 week blocks. More information is available here

Location of ILPs

ILP is designed to be undertaken in one of Faculty of Medicine Schools or a UNSW affiliated research institute or centre.

Every year, projects offered at different rural clinical schools are available for students to choose. Students interested in doing projects in certain rural clinical school campuses are strongly advised to contact the Head of Campus for more information.

ILP at Coffs Harbour

The Coffs Harbour Rural Clinical School is able to offer Independent Learning Projects at its Campus for either 3^rd or 4^th year students. Topics are posted on the ILP website but also projects can be negotiated with individual students and can cover a wide range of topics. B Sc Hons students can also be catered for.

Current supervisors are:-

Dr Gillian Gould, Head of Campus and Senior lecturer – smoking cessation in mainstream and indigenous communities, refugee health, doctor’s wellbeing

A/Prof Tom Shakespeare, Director of North Coast Cancer Services – Palliative care, radiation oncology etc

A/Prof Rick Van der Zwan, Dept of Psychology SCU – Falls, Parkinsons disease - gait, pattern recognition; adolescent attitudes to skin cancer

Dr Alan Tankel, Director of A&E, Coffs Harbour Hospital – envenomation, referral patterns.

Dr Ned Abraham, Senior Lecturer, Coordinator Surgery – psychological profile of surgeons, EBM, clinical surgical topics

Others may be negotiated.

ILP at Port Macquarie

Every year, Port Macquarie Rural Clinical School offers ILP project to both 3rd and 4th year students. For 2010, Port Macquarie Rural Clinical School offers the following projects:

• The Effect of Exercise on Type II Diabetes – Dr Alexander McColl
• Advanced Pain Management using Fascia lliaca Block for Hip Fracture Pain – Dr Grant Mills
• Developing a Student-led AAA Screening Programme – Dr John Gan
• Solutions for 1st MTP Joint Arthritis – Dr Dean Pepper
• Children's Attitude Towards Ageing: Can the Nintendo Wii Make a Difference? – Dr Lee Krahe
• Sun, Surf and Arbovirus – Dr Michael Prowse
• For more information click here

Students who are interested in doing ILP at Port Macquarie are encourage to contact Dr Lee Krahe ( ).

External ILPs (outside UNSW) will only be considered where the research area is not covered by existing ILPs. External ILPs must identify an UNSW co-supervisor and an UNSW examiner. Students who wish to do ILP outside UNSW must contact ILP Coordinator for approval.

Overseas ILPs will not be considered.

Timing

In each year approximately half the Second Year (Phase 1) cohort of students will be allocated to start Phase 2 with the ILP and half to commence with clinical courses. The timing of an ILP will vary according to the year in which a student undertakes an ILP. Key dates for students undertaking ILP in 2009 or 2010 are available under "Further information for students"

How projects are generated

Students are encouraged to negotiate an ILP with prospective supervisors. Some projects will also be designed by supervisors and listed on the ILP web page on eMed for students to view. In both cases the ILP submission form must be completed by the supervisor.

Faculty of Medicine UNSW affiliated staff members (either academic or conjoint staff member) who are interested in taking up ILP students can advertise this by updating their staff profile at the Faculty website. For more information on this, please contact Joanna Tjojoatmodjo ( . )

How projects are allocated

In the last teaching period of their year 1, an information session will be held to provide information to mainly first year students about the nature of phase 2 courses and ILP. In March, approximately half the Second Year cohort of students will be allocated to start Phase 2 with the ILP and half to commence with clinical courses. The following two months after first allocation process, students are encourage to contact potential ILP supervisors and negotiate an ILP.

Students who negotiated an ILP will be allocated to that ILP. Students who do not negotiate an ILP will be allocated according to the Phase 2 allocation system. The same allocation process will be used to allocate fourth year students to clinical courses and ILPs. For further information, please see the Policy on Allocation to Phase 2 course.

Examples of previously completed project submission form

Examples on completed project submission form from previous year are provided here:

ILP and General Education courses

Students who commence their study in 2008 are required to undertake 12 units of credit of general education courses prior to the start of Phase 3. It is recommended that they take these courses during their ILP2.
Students who commence their study prior to 2008 have different requirements and are advised to contact Joanna Tjojoatmodjo ( . )

Relation to BSc (Medicine) Honours program [MFAC 3831]

Ideally, students interested in the BSc (Medicine) Hons should apply for that program rather than commencing ILP. Students enrolled in the BSc (Medicine) Honours program will be exempt from the ILP.

For more information about how to apply for the BSc (Med) Hons program, see FAQ and the BSc (Med) Hons website.

Exemptions

Students who complete the BSc (Med) Honours program or who have previously completed a research honours program or higher research degree, or a Masters degree with a significant research component, or who can otherwise demonstrate acceptable evidence of independent study or research at a tertiary level, may be exempt from the ILP requirement. Any student who believes they may be entitled to an exemption from the ILP should contact Dr John Hunt ( . ). Individual applications will be considered by the ILP Committee on a case-by-case basis.

Important Dates for 2010 ILP Application Process