2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

BLGY3397 Advanced Research Skills and Experience

40 creditsClass Size: 60

Module manager: Professor Elwyn Isaac
Email: r.e.isaac@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisites

BLGY2303

Research and Study Skills Level 2

This module is mutually exclusive with

BLGY3345

Biology Integrated Research Projects

Module replaces

BLGY3395 Advanced Research Skills and Experience, 20c, S2BLGY3396 Research Literature Review, 20c, S1

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module provides MBiol students with a coherent research training to prepare them for their Level 5 research projects. Students will conduct an in depth literature review to gain comprehensive understanding of a research topic, before developing a research proposal for their Level 5 project based on this new found understanding. Students will also gain practical lab, field and/or data analysis skills that are relevant to their Level 5 projects.

Objectives

- To provide an introduction into how scientific research is carried out;
- To provide skills and experience in the research and critical evaluation of the scientific literature;
- To provide experience of working in a research environment (laboratory, computer lab, field etc.), using a range of biological methods and interacting with research scientists;
- To provide experience in planning experimental research;
- To provide experience of analysis and presentation of scientific data;
- To provide experience of discussing research in depth with other researchers;
- To provide experience of research processes, including formation of initial ideas.

Learning outcomes
On completing the module students will be able to:
1. Develop the ability to plan and implement a comprehensive literature search using a range of literature searching tools;
2. Develop the ability to critically evaluate and synthesize information from different published sources relevant to the topic;
3. Write a well-structured literature review;
4. Develop the personal and intellectual skills required to become producers as well as consumers of scientific data and ideas;
5. Gain experience in the development and planning of a research project;
6. Gain experience of techniques and analytical approaches, including some computer packages, that are appropriate for a laboratory, field, or a computer based research project;
7. Gain experience of managing time effectively, achieving objectives set and working independently.

Syllabus

Students will be required to carry out a literature review in order to understand the breadth and depth of a particular scientific topic, to understand latest developments and to identify knowledge gaps (semester 1). This literature review will contribute to the subsequent development of a project proposal (semester 2), which will be the basis of the Level 5 extended project. Students will become familiar with research methods that combine project planning, designing experimental protocols, literature searching, critical reading and reviewing and project proposal writing.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lectures	3	1.00	3.00
Supervision Meetings	11	1.00	11.00
Practicals	12	8.00	96.00
Private study hours			290.00
Total Contact hours			110.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			400.00

Private study

This includes searching and reading scientific research literature, critical analysis, writing a literature review and research proposal, and planning and analysing experiments.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Fortnightly project supervision meetings. Supervisors to comment on one draft of literature review, and one draft of written project proposal.

Feedback about progress and areas that could be developed (e.g. understanding of context, suitable techniques and application of methods) will be provided by supervisor as appropriate at regular meetings.

Direct lab supervision and development of research methods may be provided by research group of academic supervisor.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Literature Review	5000 words	50.00
Research Proposal	2500 words	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 29/04/2024 16:11:53

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