Independent Learning Project (ILP)

The Independent Learning Project (ILP) is intended to provide UNSW Medicine 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.

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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.

ILP in Rural Clinical School Campus

ILP can also be taken at Rural Clinical Schools campuses. 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.

Location of ILPs

The majority of ILPs will be undertaken at UNSW, external ILPs 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.

	3rd Year Students	4th Year Students
ILP1	Teaching Period 2 (May)	Teaching Period 1 (March/April)
ILP2	Teaching Period 3 and 4	Teaching Period 2 and 3
ILP3	Summer Teaching Period (following year)	Teaching Period 4

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 for staff and students to view. In both cases the ILP submission form must be completed by the supervisor.
When designing an ILP, students and supervisors are advised to review past and present ILPs listed on this web page.

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.

Example of 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 in the ILP Application Process in 2010