2022/23 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
BIOL5383M Specialised Research Topics and Skills for Biotechnology
15 creditsClass Size: 40
Module manager: Professor Kenneth McDowall
Email: K.J.McDowall@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2022/23
Pre-requisites
| BIOL3398 | Research Tools and Applications |
| BIOL3399 | Extended Research Project Preparation |
Co-requisites
| BIOL5382M | Extended Research Project |
This module is not approved as an Elective
Module summary
This module will develop the intellectual research skills to support the practical research being carried out in the parallel projects that students are undertaking, and to prepare them for a career in a research environment.Objectives
The broad objectives are to provide students with opportunities to gain knowledge and understanding of cutting-edge advances and technologies beyond their extended project, and develop further skills in critical analysis, data evaluation and communication. This is achieved through attendance at school seminars and student-led debates, and participation in a student-led journal club.Learning outcomes
The specific learning outcomes are the ability to:
1. Identify, evaluate and describe current research trends in the field;
2. Critically analyse recent research findings and both present and explain their significance to others;
3. Identify key ideas and the significance of published findings;
4. Interpret and present a range of data types generated in current biomedical sciences research;
5. Select research techniques and approaches (including statistical methods) that are appropriate in meeting a range of objectives having gained an understanding of their strengths and weaknesses;
6. Work effectively as part of a team.
Syllabus
Students will attend a range of research seminars delivered by external speakers in the Faculty of Biological Sciences that are relevant to their programme of study. They will also meet with external speakers to discuss science and career options. This aspect of the module leads on from attendance at research seminars as part of BIOL3399 (Extended Research Project Preparation).
Students will also attend and present at a journal club specifically for MBiol students within the School using material from the primary literature, and attendance at student-led debates ('Time to Think').
They will also work on their employability with members of academic staff and the Faculty's Employability and Professional Development Officer and the Careers Centre.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Group learning | 16 | 1.50 | 24.00 |
| Seminar | 16 | 1.00 | 16.00 |
| Private study hours | 110.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 40.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150.00 | ||
Private study
Much of the independent learning with utilised resources available online. Private study will focus on reading and critically evaluating scientific papers; and preparing for journal club presentations, meetings with external speakers, and assignments relating to employability and professional development.Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Students will be required to maintain a log of notes for each research seminar and identify if/how issues arising from the journal club were addressed by the speaker. They will be required to submit these periodically for assessment.Attendance at journal club sessions will be monitored and student progress monitored through performance in presentations during the module.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Oral Presentation | Journal Club | 15.00 |
| Report | Electronic notebook record of research seminars, journal clubs and debates. | 85.00 |
| 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 moduleLast updated: 12/09/2022 14:24:23
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