| Unit name | Renal Research Project |
|---|---|
| Unit code | BRMSM0029 |
| Credit points | 100 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Dr. Becky Foster |
| 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) |
BRMSM0030 Clinical Placement |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Bristol Medical School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
Scientific and clinical advancement requires the effective conduct, evaluation and communication of well-designed research studies. The Renal Research Project unit will enable you to answer important current questions to contribute to new knowledge through application of these skills. Your research project is the most significant part of the programme, and you will become immersed in your area of interest gaining valuable experience in applied renal research and becoming an expert in your subject speciality.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
The Renal Research Project runs parallel to your taught units and applies the knowledge and skills introduced and developed in Foundations of Health Sciences Research, Introduction to Renal Sciences, Clinical Placement and Research Club units.
You will be engaged with this unit for the majority of the programme. You will select your project and meet with your supervisor and research group early in the first teaching block (TB1) to enable you to begin working on your project and begin to learn the techniques you will be using during your project. You will work on your research project for the rest of the duration of the programme.
An overview of content
You will be given training in the practice and application of research methodology, experimental techniques, data collection and analyses specific to your project by the Renal research group you are working with. Specific content depends on the nature and aims of your research project, which may be clinical, or laboratory based. Generic guidance will be given on health and safety, dissertation writing, poster and viva preparation through interactive tutorials. A mid-unit group mentoring session will provide an opportunity for troubleshooting, discussion and reflection on progress. You will write-up your findings in a dissertation. You will present and defend your ideas and conclusions through written
and spoken communication in the dissertation, oral presentation and viva.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
You will have the knowledge, skills and experience to enable you to make the transition towards being an independent researcher able to produce and interpret novel and reliable findings. You will be an expert in your specialised area of renal research, with a clear understanding of the contribution of your project to knowledge and its impact within the wider field. You will be able to clearly and confidently present and defend your research and intelligently discuss your findings and conclusions.
Learning Outcomes
You will learn through theoretical and practical tuition and guidance from your project supervisor and research group (LO 1, 2 & 4). Self-directed learning (e.g. reading of relevant scientific literature) will enhance your knowledge and understanding in the field (LO 2). Interactive tutorials on health and safety, dissertation writing, poster and viva preparation will help prepare you for your summative tasks (LO 1 & 3). During your project you will address a hypothesis and aims and in doing so gain valuable experience in applied research methodology and experimental techniques. You will generate, analyse and critically assess original data (LO 1 & 4). During your research project, you will draw upon and apply the skills learned in preceding units to enable you to become an independent researcher.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Oral presentation of your on-going research to your research group (e.g. at group meetings) for discussion and verbal feedback will build your knowledge and understanding of the context, theory and practical aspects of your project. Presentation of an overview of your research progress (in poster format) mid-project to your peers in a facilitated mentoring session will help prepare you for your viva. Discussion of the proposed content of your dissertation with your supervisor and submission of a written outline for feedback and approval, before writing of the dissertation begins, will ensure you have a clear and correct plan for your final dissertation. Submission of the equivalent of one complete draft of your dissertation for written feedback by your supervisor will help guide you in the writing of your final dissertation.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
When assessment does not go to plan
If you do not pass the unit, you may be given the opportunity to resubmit your work depending on the mark you have achieved and as per the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
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. BRMSM0029).
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 University 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. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
