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

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

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.

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