MOHD YUSNI, MUHAMMAD YUSUF

Overall Experience:

What motivated you to enrol in SCI3990 Science in Action?I’ve been interested in research ever since I started my degree and so I saw SCI3990 as a way to satisfy my curiosity on how actual research is conducted. I also saw it as a way to measure up my possible career opportunities.

Can you describe your overall experience with the unit?Overall, I had a good experience with this unit due to the support available to me by my supervisor, the laboratory staff and the librarians. Everyone worked together to teach me how to successfully carry out an independent research project, followed by a proper thesis and oral presentation to accurately represent what I did for the past 3 months.

Practical Applications:

Have you been able to apply the knowledge and skills gained from SCI3990 in other academic or real-world settings?One of the important skills required to complete the SCI3990 project successfully is time management, so that the deadlines can be met. This is a versatile skill to learn so that I can excel at my future studies. I also managed to hone my problem-solving and planning skills throughout the SCI3990 project. This is due to every experiment needing meticulous planning ahead of time and not everything goes to plan when it is carried out, so solutions have to be brainstormed on the spot.

How has the unit prepared you for future research endeavours or career opportunities?SCI3990 taught me how to keep in touch with my supervisor occasionally, which will be useful in the future if I were to work in a team someday. It also equipped me with some lab and computational software skills along with some equipment knowledge, which will be useful for my future research endeavours. The library workshops provided also taught how to properly write up a thesis with appropriate software like endnote that can aid future research, which requires a lot of referencing.

Recommendations:
Would you recommend SCI3990 to other students, and if so, why?
I would recommend SCI3990 to other students who are seriously interested in the future prospect of carrying out research. This is because SCI3990 equips you with the experience on how proper research is carried out independently with a good support group including your supervisor.

What advice would you give to students considering enrolling in this unit?I would say that the future students of SCI3990 should keep an open mind about their project as unexpected findings may pop up anytime, which can dictate the direction of your research. A strong resolve is also required and you shouldn’t feel discouraged if things don’t go the way as planned, as perceived mistakes may turn out to be valuable learning experiences that will shape who you will become.