LSC-30037: Double Biology Research Project

School of Life Sciences

LSC-30037

Double Biology Research Project - ISP

Co-ordinator:

Mr David Hulse Room: HUX302, Tel:33056

Teaching Team:

Lecture Time:

See Timetable...

Level:

Credits:

Study Hours:

300

School Office:

Tel: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for

Biochemistry Dual Honours (Level 3)

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Barred Combinations

Cannot be taken in combination with LSC-30007 (Biology Dissertation), LSC-30004 (Biology Experimental Project Single), LSC-30019 (Applied Life Sciences Placement) or LSC 30008 (Biochemistry Research Project 1).

Prerequisites

None

Description

A double experimental project is an opportunity for students to carry out a substantial piece of meaningful research that may lead to the generation of new knowledge.

Students will get a taste of what it is like to work in a real research environment and will work independently on a research project under the supervision of a member of academic staff from the School of Life Sciences or the Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine (ISTM) after an initial training period.

The topics are set by the supervisors but specific research projects are designed in consultation with the student so as to reflect as much as possible the students interests. Projects allow students to expand their portfolio of technical and generic expertise and to apply that expertise to a research question.

The very varied list of topics reflects the diversity of research interests within the School and ISTM. Students will be expected to spend the equivalent of 2 days per week, which may be spread over several days working in the laboratory during semester 1. In semester 2 they will write a report where they present and interpret the results of their experiments and place them in context with existing literature in the field. Some supervisors encourage students to complete the research element during the summer vacation.

Aims

The module aims to give students a taste of working in a real research environment, applying existing and newly acquired experimental techniques to answer specific research questions. Students will learn to present their experimental findings at at an advanced level. They will also research the relevant scientific literature so that they can put their own research findings into context. The module thus equips the students with both technical and generic research skills.

Intended Learning Outcomes

search and extract relevant information from scientific literature and databases at an advanced level will be achieved by assessments: 02
plan and safely execute a series of small experiments or surveys to investigate a research question will be achieved by assessments: 01,02
demonstrate technical competence in at least two scientific techniques will be achieved by assessments: 01
analyse and critically discuss the results of a series of experiments will be achieved by assessments: 01,02
produce a substantial, critical scientific report, including the presentation of data in appropriate graphical formats will be achieved by assessments: 02

Study hours

20 hours personal supervision/tutorial (meetings with supervisor throughout semester)
150 hours practical work (planning and executing experiments)
80 hours report preparation (data analysis, report writing)
50 hours private study (background reading, literature searches)

Description of Module Assessment

01: Practice Based Assessment weighted 20%

Assessment of performance in the laboratory
Assessment of the technical competence, general diligence and engagement with the project, level of assistance needed etc

02: Research Report weighted 80%

9000 word project report
A 9000 word report comprising a review of the background literature, a detailed methodology section and presentation, interpretation and in-depth discussion of the research findings.

Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Mar/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.