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LSC-30045 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2023/24 Last Updated: 13 February 2024

LSC-30045 - Life Sciences Double Experimental Project (with research skills assessment)
Coordinator: Glenn Hussey Room: HUX102A Tel: +44 1782 7 33880
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2023/24

An experimental research project represents the culmination of your learning experience across the programme. This is a cap-stone experience and as a 30 credit module, this project is an opportunity for you to carry out a substantial piece of meaningful research that may lead to the generation of new knowledge. This is an excellent opportunity for you to work alongside colleagues and undertake an authentic research project. This could include lab- or field-based projects, but also systematic reviews, bioinformatics, pedagogic or outreach work.
Through engagement with this module you will be introduced to the concept, philosophy and approach to performing scientific research and training enabling you to conduct a substantial experimental project. This will develop key skills that are routinely utilised by the scientific community such as: development of appropriate methods to test specified hypotheses, in-depth literature review, analysis of experimental data and presentation of scientific findings.
You will be able to express preference from a range of titles and will be assigned an academic supervisor to help and guide you as you prepare an evidence-based report that should be suitable for publication.
In addition to 1:1 support offered to you by your project supervisor, the module manager will also offer optional workshops and drop-in sessions throughout the year.

Aims
To provide students with the experience of working safely in a research environment, enhance their evidence-based approach to solving problems and further develop both their analytical skills in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating scientific problems and ability to independently gather and analyse experimental data.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Critically review current literature to provide up-to-date, scientific context to a research problem: 1
Design a robust methodological approach to investigate a scientific problem: 1
Identify potential ethical challenges and develop appropriate justification for scientific pursuit within an appropriate framework: 1
Identify risks and hazards and apply fundamental principles of health and safety legislation to devise appropriate risk assessments: 2
Generate and analyse appropriate data set(s) and present to a scientific audience: 1
Interpret complex scientific data and relate that to current literature: 1
Appraise own work to identify strengths, limitations and ways to improve: 1
Conduct themselves in the research environment in a professional manner (for example, technical competence, note taking, record-keeping, time-keeping etc)
: 1,2
Communicate complex scientific findings to a mixed audience: 3

Study hours

IN-SITU LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
2x 1 hour in-situ seminars
4x 1 hour online drop-ins
14 hours: meetings with supervisor
DIRECTED LEARNING
120 hours: data generation and analysis
INDEPENDENT STUDY AND ASSESSMENT:
80 hours: private study
80 hours: completion of report and oral presentation


School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Dissertation weighted 80%
9,000 word (maximum) dissertation
The dissertation should comprise: a critical review of the background literature contextualising your problem and bringing the subject up-to-date; accurate methodologies demonstrating understanding of underlying principles, ensuring quality assurance, recognising and limiting potential risks and hazards and justifying ethical concerns and statistical approach; accurate and concise data presentation and a frank analysis of all findings linked to current literature and the potential for future work.

2: Performance weighted 20%
Professional Skills Assessment
Marks are awarded to each student based on a range of professional skills that the student is able to demonstrate across the project. Skills include: awareness of and compliance with health and safety; ethics; time keeping; organisation; independence; preparation; technical competence; problem solving and communication skills.

3: Oral Presentation weighted 0%
10 minute oral presentation
Students will present a 10 minute summary of their research during the Level 6 undergraduate student conference.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 13 February 2024