LSC-30019 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

Students must have undertaken a School of Life Sciences approved industrial placement in their previous year. Successful completion of Level 5 modules and confirmation of progression to Level 6.

Barred Combinations

See relevant course regulations for barred combinations

Description for 2023/24

This module provides an opportunity for students to carry out a substantial piece of research whilst on a placement that may lead to the generation of new knowledge. Students will get a taste of what it is like to work in a real research/industrial environment and will work independently on a research project under the supervision of a member of academic staff from the School of Life Sciences and a host placement supervisor. The topics are set by the supervisors but specific research projects are, where possible, designed in consultation with the student so as to reflect as much as possible the student's interests. Projects allow students to expand their portfolio of technical and generic expertise and to apply that expertise to a research question. The varied list of topics reflects the diversity of research interests within the host placement partners and Life Sciences. Students will be expected to spend at least 6 months on placement between the second and final year of study. In semester 1 in their final year they will write a report where they present and interpret the results of their experiments and place them in context with existing literature in the field.

To provide an experience in the use of biological sciences in an outside commercial, government and other external organisation.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Critically appraise scientific literature gleaned from database searches on a research topic will be achieved by assessments: 1
Formulate a research question, appropriate hypotheses and declare a project title will be achieved by assessments: 1
Plan and execute a hypothesis-driven experiment, including an appraisal of relevant health, safety and ethical issues will be achieved by assessments: 1
Analyse, evaluate and discuss the results of an experimental study
will be achieved by assessments: 1
Produce a concise, scientific report that critically appraises the research hypothesis
will be achieved by assessments: 1

Study hours

20 hours: meetings with Keele supervisor
70 hours: literature survey
20 hours: data analysis
40 hours: report preparation

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment