University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2023/24 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Life Sciences > Life Sciences Faculty Office > SWBio DTP: Research Methods for Life Sciences (MRes) > Specification
Programme code | 7MVSF016T |
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Programme type | Postgraduate Research Degree |
Programme director(s) |
Heather Whitney
|
Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
School/department | Life Sciences Faculty Office |
Second School/department | Science Faculty Office |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full or Part Time |
Programme length |
1 years (full time)
2 years (part time) |
This section sets out why studying this programme is important, both in terms of inspiring you as an individual and in considering the challenges we face. It describes how this degree programme contributes to:
Life Sciences research encompasses a wide range of different methods, many of which are underpinned by various mathematical approaches for analysis of the data. This MRes provides an early exit route from the BBSRC SWBio DTP PhD programme for students across the partnership.
This 1 year full time (2 years part time) MRes programme aims to develop the research potential of the student, by building on the core skills needed by an effective researcher including subject-specific knowledge, mathematical and coding skills and an understanding of how science is managed, funded and is exploited for commercial or societal need.
It aims to deliver a broad awareness of the fundamental research approaches in life sciences and how they could be applied to real-life situations. The taught elements provide formal training to support much of modern life-science research, but are also widely applicable in Industry. The two research projects will allow some of these approaches to be put into practice, giving hands-on experience of the methods. This will give the student an awareness of the methods not only for their main PhD, but also supporting their further career development where an awareness and understanding of a wider range of methods may be appropriate.
The learning outcome statements shown below for your programme have been developed with reference to relevant national subject benchmarks (where they exist), national qualification descriptors (see the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) and professional body requirements.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies are listed to show how you will be able to achieve and demonstrate the learning outcomes.
This programme provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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|
Formal lectures and small group teaching. Individual and group work. Student presentations, major research projects. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
Assessed course work, assignments (e.g. grant application), research projects. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
---|---|
|
Formal lectures and small group teaching. Individual and group work. Student presentations, major research projects. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
Assessed course work, assignments (e.g. grant application), research projects. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
---|---|
|
Formal lectures and small group teaching. Individual and group work. Formal and informal meetings with research supervisors. Student presentations, major research projects. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
Assessed course work, assignments (e.g. grant application, writing of code), research projects. |
This section describes what is expected from you at each level of your programme. This illustrates increasing intellectual standards as you progress through the programme. These levels are mapped against the national level descriptors published by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Masters |
A thorough grounding in the methods and techniques available for life sciences research, the ability to identify and tackle problems, the capacity for designing, undertaking and analysis of original research in particular aspects of life sciences, including an understanding of the current literature in that area. |
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For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the postgraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
Part-time students:
For further information please contact the SWBio DTP Hub.
Email: swbio-dtp@bristol.ac.uk
This is the exit route for students on the 4 year BBSRC SWBio DTP PhD programmme.
BIOCM0010, BIOCM0011, BIOCM0012, BIOCM0013 and BIOCM0014 are must pass. For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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SWBio DTP: Science in Society, Business and Industry | BIOCM0013 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
SWBio DTP: Statistics and Bioinformatics | BIOCM0010 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
SWBio DTP: Data Science and Machine Learning for the Biosciences | BIOCM0022 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
SWBio DTP: Rotation project 1 | BIOCM0021 | 60 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
SWBio DTP: Rotation project 2 | BIOCM0020 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
MRes | 180 |
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7 unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds. An exit award with Merit or Distinction may be permitted where students are prevented by exceptional circumstances from completing the intended award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level 7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level 7.
Students registered on the SWBio DTP programme must have successfully completed the 180 credit points to progress into their second year.
An exit award of Postgraduate Masters, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate with Merit or Distinction may be awarded where students choose to withdraw from the programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award. An exit award with Merit or Distinction will not be permitted where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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SWBio DTP: Rotation project 1 | BIOCM0021 | 60 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
SWBio DTP: Statistics and Bioinformatics | BIOCM0010 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
SWBio DTP: Science in Society, Business and Industry | BIOCM0013 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
100 |
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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