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LSC-40059 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2024/25 Last Updated: 25 July 2024

LSC-40059 - Biomedical Science Research Project
Coordinator: Mark Skidmore Room: Hux168 Tel: +44 1782 7 33945
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 7
Credits: 60
Study Hours: 600
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

This module represents the culmination of your learning as a Master's student. This is an excellent opportunity for you to work alongside colleagues to undertake a significant research project. This could include: typical, lab-based research here within the School; clinical audits in partnership with local NHS providers; data analysis or a systematic review.
The module will end with a mini student conference, providing you an opportunity to meet all of your colleagues, present your main findings in a professional setting and learn what each of you have been doing.
Practitioner Biomedical Scientists, or equivalent, taking this programme are expected to design a project based on their personal area of speciality and conducted within their workplace. It is expected that the project will reflect a partnership between their workplace and the University.

Aims
This module is the culmination of student learning across the Master's programme. Each student to conduct an extensive, independent project. This could be a lab-based research project, clinical audit, data analysis or systematic review. This will be the capstone experience for all MSc students.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Identify a current problem in the literature, or clinical practise, and respond by formulating an appropriate research-based hypothesis: 1,2,3
Critically review current literature to provide a comprehensive scientific rationale for their work: 1,2,3
Design a robust methodological approach to investigate the proposed hypothesis with a full justification of health and safety, ethical, quality assurance and statistical considerations as appropriate: 1,2,3
Analyse complex scientific data and present to a scientific audience: 1,2,3
Interpret complex scientific data and relate that to current literature: 1,2,3
Appraise own work to identify strengths and weaknesses, including possible limitations and source(s) of error and suggest ways to improve: 1,2,3
Communicate complex scientific findings to a mixed audience: 1,3
Competently engage in independent research taking responsibility for personal learning: 1,2

Study hours

30 hours: meetings with supervisor
6 hours: attendance at the student conference
160 hours: private study
280 hours: data generation and analysis
124 hours: completion of the report and presentation


School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Project weighted 60%
15000 word research project (maximum)
The research project should comprise of an extensive introduction which fully brings the subject up-to-date, reflecting a thorough review of current literature in the field; accurate methodologies demonstrating understanding of underlying principles and ensuring quality assurance, health and safety and ethical concerns are all met; accurate and concise data presentation and a frank analysis of all findings, potential for future work and integration of any new knowledge gained through this piece of work with current literature findings.

2: Competence weighted 10%
Professional Skills Assessment
Marks are awarded to each student based on a range of professional skills that the student is able to demonstrate across the project. Skills include awareness of and compliance with health and safety; ethics; timekeeping; organisation; independence; preparation; technical competence; problem-solving and communication skills.

3: Presentation weighted 30%
Conference Presentation
Students will present the main findings of their work in a conference-style event. this will usually be in the form of a poster and short presentation (10-15 minutes duration) with the higher of the marks standing. Where students are unable to attend the conference, a recorded presentation of their poster would be required.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. 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/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 25 July 2024