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LSC-40131 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

LSC-40131 - Research Project
Coordinator: Gianpiero Di Leva Tel: +44 1782 671651
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 7
Credits: 60
Study Hours: 600
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

This module represents the culmination of your learning as a Masters student.
This is an excellent opportunity for you to work alongside colleagues to undertake a significant research project. This could include lab-based research here within the School; clinical audits in partnership with local NHS providers; data analysis or a systematic review. Note, some limitations apply.
The final written report will allow you to further evidence higher-level skills in the critical evaluation of a wide body of scientific literature and the appraisal of your research outcomes in context to this. The module will end with a mini student-conference, providing you with an opportunity to meet all of your colleagues, present your main findings in a professional setting, evidencing key skills in the dissemination of research outcomes in different formats (research poster and oral presentation).

Aims
This module represents the culmination of student learning across their MSc programme. Students will conduct an extensive, independent research project, which could include laboratory-based studies, advanced computational/bioinformatic analysis, systematic reviews or a work-based project (exclusions apply). Students will cite the study in context to a wide body of current literature in the chosen area, analyse, present and critique study outcomes with full critical evaluation and appraisal.

Intended Learning Outcomes

identify a research topic and formulate an appropriate research-based hypothesis: 1
critically review current literature in the wider topic area to provide a comprehensive scientific rationale for their work: 1
design and conduct a robust methodological approach to investigate the study aims, with full justification, including in context to health and safety, and ethical frameworks, as appropriate: 1,2
analyse complex scientific data and present to a scientific audience: 1,3
critically evaluate research outcomes in context to current literature: 1,3
engage in independent research, taking responsibility for personal learning and appraise own work to identify strengths and weaknesses, including possible limitations and source(s) of error/ways to improve: 1,2,3
communicate complex scientific findings via written, oral and visual means to different audiences: 1,3

Study hours

30 hours- meetings with supervisor
6 hours- attendance at student conference
300 hours - data generation and analysis
150 hours- private study/engagement with literature
114 hours- completion of the report and presentation

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Project weighted 60%
15000 word research project report
The research project should comprise 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 critical 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/or short presentation (10-15 minutes duration) with the higher of the marks standing.

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: 04 December 2025