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LSC-40063 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

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

LSC-40063 - MSci Extended Research Project
Coordinator: Marcelo Andrade De Lima
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 7
Credits: 60
Study Hours: 600
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

Within this module you will develop higher-level research skills in a selected area of the Biosciences. Working closely with an academic supervisor you will formulate a research project and design and conduct appropriate investigations to address this. You will develop further skills in experimental design and the critical analysis of scientific data, these will be communicated in the format of a research article produced to the specifications of a selected journal format, accompanied by a cover letter addressing the merits of research article and justification for publication. You will also present in the outcomes of the research project as either an oral presentation or A1 poster.

Aims
This module will further develop students' independent research skills in experimental design and data handling/evaluation. Working closely with an academic supervisor will design and conduct an independent research project, employing appropriate techniques and methods of data analysis, evaluating this in context to relevant literature in the form of an assessed research article.

Intended Learning Outcomes

critically evaluate relevant scientific literature in context to their research project area: 1,2,3
design and conduct an independent research project, formulate aims/hypotheses and apply appropriate methodology to address these: 1,2,3
analyse complex scientific data and evaluate this in context to wider literature: 1,2,3
communicate clearly and effectively in a variety of formats including a research article and oral presentation: 1,2
conduct themselves in the research environment in a professional manner (for example, technical competence, note taking, record-keeping, time-keeping etc): 3
identify potential ethical challenges and develop appropriate justification for scientific pursuit within an appropriate framework: 1,2
identify risks and hazards and apply fundamental principles of health and safety legislation to devise appropriate risk assessments: 3

Study hours

10 hours supporting workshops and project presentation session
6 hours attendance at research conference
300 hours working on the research project/data collection
44 hours independent study: preparation of project presentation
240 hours data analysis and preparation of research article

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Research Report weighted 60%
Research article
Students will present the results of the research project in the form of a research article of no more than 4,000 words, formatted to the specification requirements of a peer-reviewed journal selected by the student and supervisor. The research article must be accompanied by a cover letter of no more than 1,000 words addressing why the research merits publication and justification for the selected journal.

2: Presentation weighted 25%
Presentation
Students may choose to present either a poster (A1) or an oral presentation (15 minutes); or choose both and the higher of the two marks awarded will be utilised for assessment purposes.

3: Competence weighted 15%
Research skills assessment
Marks are awarded to each student based on a range of professional skills that the student is able to demonstrate in the day-to-day engagement with the project. Skills may include: awareness of and compliance with health and safety; ethics; time keeping; organisation; independence; preparation; technical competence; problem-solving and communication skills.

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