2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

BLGY5381M Extended Research Project

90 creditsClass Size: 100

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-requisite qualifications

Continued progression on MBIOL from Level 3 to Level 5 (achieve an average of at least 65%, in the level 3 project components and an overall credit weighted year average, normally of at least 65%).

Pre-requisites

BLGY3397

Advanced Research Skills and Experience

Module replaces

BLGY5380M Extended Research Project, 80c, S3

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

- To conduct an individual extended research project;
- to experience working in a research group and interacting with research scientists;
- to further develop skills in scientific literature searching and critical analysis of the literature;
- to gain experience in the analysis and presentation of scientific data;
- to report scientific findings through the preparation of a scientific manuscript and seminar presentation;
- to defend the project orally during the seminar presentation.

Learning outcomes
On completion of the module students will be able to:
1. gained knowledge of the process of project management including project preparation, organisation and implementation;
2. completed a research project demonstrating competent use of a range of practical research techniques applicable to their topic area;
3. gained experience in experimental planning, execution and analysis and presentation of research data including the use of appropriate statistical tests;
4. prepared and submitted a report in a scientifically acceptable format, which adheres to the guidelines of a scientific journal. There is an expectation that material from the report would be of a quality suitable to contribute to scientific publication;
5. developed sophisticated skills in the appropriate and selective use of electronic literature search tools such as Web of Science and Medline;
6. presented a research seminar and answered in-depth and detailed questions on the subject of the project work.

Skills outcomes
Analytical skills
Communication skills
Independent working
Planning & Organisation
Research skills

Syllabus

An independent research project on an original topic in biology conducted within the Faculty research teams sometimes in combination with outside agencies.

The experimental project will be based on the researched grant proposal developed at Level 3 and on a topic agreed with a named supervisor.

There will be regular meetings with the project supervisor.

Guidance on report writing will be provided and the project will be assessed by the final report, the quality of practical execution, presentation of the work as a research seminar and responses to in-depth questions.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Supervision Meetings	15	1.00	15.00
seminars	1	1.00	1.00
Practical	64	8.00	512.00
Independent online learning hours			152.00
Private study hours			220.00
Total Contact hours			528.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			900.00

Private study

This includes associated reading, project planning, analysis of experimental data, writing and Research Seminar preparation.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Project supervision meetings. Supervisors to comment on one draft of written report and PowerPoint presentation.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Project	Project report is in a scientific paper-style with a maximum word limit of 7,000 (excluding abstract, figures/tables, figure legends, references and supplementary information).	85.00
Oral Presentation	20 min talk as part of MBiol Seminar series	15.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

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

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

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

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