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LSC-30050 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2024/25 Last Updated: 23 April 2024

LSC-30050 - Life Sciences Dissertation
Coordinator: Ellie Harrison Room: 174
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

Students can express preference from a wide range of subjects and will be allocated a one-to-one academic supervisor to guide you throughout completion of this module.
Initially, your project supervisor will suggest some background reading to help familiarise yourself with the topic. This will help you to formulate a more specific research question.
You will use appropriate databases to probe the literature, evaluating both primary and secondary sources (published papers, review articles textbooks etc). Supervisors will be available for one-to-one meetings throughout this research phase of the module to discuss your progress and key findings.
When ready, you will then write your dissertation to summarise the topic and resolve the primary question in a critical, evidence-based manner, for example, highlighting any differences of opinion amongst the scientific community and offering supporting evidence as appropriate. The dissertation should be communicated at a level appropriate for publication.
The ability to assimilate, précis and report on complex issues is an important skill valued by many employers, both scientific and non-scientific.

Aims
To introduce students to the concept, philosophy and approach of performing scientific research by conducting an extensive literature survey to resolve scientific problems using individual initiative and presenting findings in a scholarly fashion.

Intended Learning Outcomes

formulate a scientific question to drive a hypothesis-led avenue of research: 1
integrate and synthesise material from different sources: 1
interpret and summarise key research findings, identify gaps in current knowledge and propose areas for future study: 1
produce a scientific dissertation that critically appraises a scientific hypothesis and presents an evidence-based argument: 1
critically appraise scientific literature: 1

Study hours

15 hours: meetings with supervisor
95 hours: private study
40 hours: preparation of dissertation

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Dissertation weighted 100%
5,000 word dissertation
Students are presented with a general research area and, with the help of a 1:1 academic supervisor, formulate an appropriate scientific question to drive a hypothesis-led avenue of enquiry. Through critical evaluation of both primary and secondary literature, students formulate a cohesive and evidence-based argument to resolve the central hypothesis.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 23 April 2024