Unit information: Research Project in 2022/23

Unit name	Research Project
Unit code	MEDIM7100
Credit points	60
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Professor. Hans Reul
Open unit status	Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)	None
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)	None
Units you may not take alongside this one	None
School/department	Bristol Medical School
Faculty	Faculty of Health Sciences

Unit Information

This Unit consists of

A laboratory-based research project, the writing of a dissertation and the presentation of research findings during a Research Colloquium. The student will contribute to the design of experimental plans, execute experiments, analyse and critically assess the results, integrate the new information into the broad body of scientific knowledge, and present and defend their ideas through written and spoken communication.

In exceptional circumstances only, and to the discretion of the Board of Examiners and subject to availability, a student may complete a desk-based research project in which the student will conduct a subject-based scientific literature review followed by either a proposed Experimental Research Plan or a Data Analysis Project, and a presentation of this work.

The aims of the Unit are to:

1. Expose the student to an active research environment and enable acquirement of direct research experience.
2. Give the student guided experience in the planning and execution of experiments.
3. Enable the student to critically analyse and evaluate experimental data.
4. Expose the student to the processes by which scientific experiments are planned and results are analysed, communicated and debated.

Your learning on this unit

At the end of this unit the student should be able to:

1. perform experiments independently as far as feasible after a laboratory training period.
2. demonstrate insight into the development of an experimental research design including data and statistical analysis methods.
3. write a concise dissertation including an appropriate evaluation and critical discussion of the obtained experimental data.
4. give a clear presentation covering an introduction of the field of research, the hypotheses and aims of the study, the methods used, the data obtained, and a critical evaluation of these research findings in the light of the status of scientific knowledge.

How you will learn

This unit is taught through training in the laboratory and discussion with the project supervisor(s).

How you will be assessed

This unit is assessed through a combination of a 6,500-word dissertation (70%), performance in the laboratory and engagement with the project (10%), and an oral presentation during a Research Colloquium (20%).

In exceptional circumstances and to the discretion of the Board of Examiners only: desk-based projects will be assessed based on a 6,000-word Literature Review (30%), a 4,000-word Experimental Research Plan or Data Analysis Project (40%), engagement with the project (10%), and an oral presentation (20%).

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MEDIM7100).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.