FSC-40011 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

n.a.

Barred Combinations

n.a.

Description for 2024/25

The independent project module is the centerpiece of your MSci degree and gives you the opportunity to study a specific research topic in depth, to undertake experimental work to investigate fundamental aspects of that topic, or develop and evaluate new methods of investigation or analysis. Your work will be supervised by an assigned member of staff over the course of a year. You will spend the first semester being researching and planning the project whilst your experimental work, data analysis and reporting of results will be undertaken in the second semester. Your results will be reported orally at a student conference at Keele and a final written report submitted at the end of the semester.

On completion of this module the student will be able to:
Competently plan, organise and manage a programme of independent experimental work.
Identify and critically review relevant literature in order to design and contextualise research questions.
Competently execute a range of practical skills appropriate to the work of the project.
Successfully apply, complete and critically review methods of data analysis appropriate to the experimental results generated in the project.
Deliver a talk on a research topic and respond to questions, both with professional competence.
Produce a concise and well-structured written report on the project work which would be acceptable in the professional context.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Describe and critically evaluate the knowledge base of the project, and thereby possess a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, current research in the area: 1,2,3
Describe and explain how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge within the framework of the project: 2,3
Evaluate critically current research, advanced scholarship and methodologies relevant to the project, based on a sound conceptual understanding: 1,2,3
Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate conclusions clearly to a specialist audience: 2,3
Work in a self-directed fashion in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks associated with the project: 3
Use their skills in independent learning and self-management to advance their knowledge and understanding and to develop new subject-specific and generic skills to a higher level: 3
Apply the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment including, the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility, decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations and the independent learning ability required for continuing professional development, in the context of this extended project: 3
Describe and explain in detail the techniques applicable to their own research project: 2,3

Study hours

Active learning hours (38):
Project induction 2 h
Scheduled supervisor contact over both semesters 24 h
Attendance and presentation at student conference 12 h
Independent study (562):
Scheduled research work 150 h
Project planning and preparation 36 h
Data analysis 60 h
Writing the project report 120 h
Preparing oral presentation 20 h
Supporting reading and self-guided study 176 h

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment