2023/24 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

BMSC5382M Extended Research Project

90 creditsClass Size: 25

Module manager: Dr Andrew Smith
Email: A.J.Smith1@leeds.ac.uk

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

Year running 2023/24

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%).

Module replaces

BMSC5380M Extended Research Project

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able
- to conduct an individual extended research project;
- to experience working in a research group and interacting with research scientists;
- to develop, in-depth scientific literature searching and analysis of the literature skills;
- to gain experience in the analysis and presentation of scientific data;
- to report scientific methods used by the use of an online wiki
- to report scientific findings through the preparation of a dissertation;
- to present the dissertation to an audience and defend the dissertation orally through answering questions raised.

Learning outcomes
Students will be expected to have;
- gained knowledge of the process of project management including project preparation, organisation and implementation;
- completed a research project demonstrating competent use of a range of practical research techniques applicable to their topic area;
- gained experience in experimental planning, execution and analysis and presentation of research data including the use of appropriate statistical tests;
- generate a comprehensive online wiki of the methods used in the project that would be useful for anyone wanting to repeat the experiments.
- prepared and submitted a dissertation in a scientifically acceptable format. This dissertation should include an appropriate summary of relevant literature, an outline of aims of the project, descriptions of the methods used, details of the results obtained, conclusions drawn from these results and indications for future studies that might be undertaken. There is an expectation that material from the dissertation would be of a quality suitable to contribute to scientific publication;
- developed sophisticated skills in the appropriate and selective use of electronic literature search tools such as Web of Science and Medline;
- given a short presentation of the project and its findings (viva), and answered questions on the subject of the project work.

Skills outcomes
Students will have the opportunity to develop and utilise the following skills: project and time management, research study design, research skills, literature searching, critical analysis of the literature, practical research skills, data handling and analysis, scientific report writing and oral communication.

Syllabus

A 6 month independent research project on an original topic in the biomedical sciences area with an appropriate focus for the individuals' host programme. The research will be conducted within one of the Faculty research teams sometimes in combination with outside agencies.

The experimental project will be based on a researched grant proposal on a topic agreed with a named supervisor.

There will be regular meetings with the project supervisor, normally on a weekly basis, with a proforma record of the outcome of the meeting.

Guidance on dissertation writing will be provided and the project will be assessed by a dissertation, oral examination, the quality of practical execution, and online methods.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Group Project	1	1.00	1.00
Supervision Meetings	15	1.00	15.00
presentation	1	2.00	2.00
Practical	85	8.00	680.00
Independent online learning hours			45.00
Private study hours			157.00
Total Contact hours			698.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			900.00

Private study

This includes associated reading, project planning, analysis of experimental data and writing of dissertation.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

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

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Report	Project report	65.00
Viva	Half hour viva examination with two members of teaching staff based on your project and dissertation	10.00
Practical	Execution, originality, diligence	20.00
In-course Assessment	Wiki of methods	5.00
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: 28/04/2023 14:47:37

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