LSC-40063 - 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

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.

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