| Unit name | Extended Research Project |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PANMM0022 |
| Credit points | 60 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Darryl Hill |
| 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 | School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine |
| Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
The aim of the Extended Research Project unit is to provide students with the opportunity to gain an immersive and in-depth experience of scientific research. This will involve being embedded full time in a research laboratory. The unit aims to promote the design, running and analysis of a research project, as well as time management.
By the end of the unit the students should be able to:
1. Plan and complete experiments to test hypotheses;
2. Interpret and present experimental data;
3. Draw logical conclusions from experimental data;
4. Formulate novel hypotheses based on experimental data;
5. Collate and analyse data from various sources including printed and online Scientific Journals, databases and textbooks;
6. Work independently, demonstrate organisational skills and the ability to manage time effectively.
One-to-one instruction in experimental techniques. Direct reading. Peer group discussion.
Project Write-up
The project write up will be in the form of a Report in the journal Cell Reports. The total character count should be under 25,000 characters (including spaces and figure legends but excluding STAR methods text, supplemental item legends, and References section) and there should be no more than four figures and/ or tables. Your article must include a graphical abstract, highlights, STAR methods and key resources table. Full instructions can be found at: https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/authors
A full draft of the project will be subject to a formative peer review. Peer students will prepare a reviewer's comments document that will be shared through Trello. Full formative feedback will also be provided by the project supervisor.
The final project will be double marked by the supervisor and one project independent academic according to defined criteria. The project marks will also be subject to moderation by the academic lead in discussion with the two assessors. A proportion of the marks for each unit will be allocated through discussion based on academic judgement of engagement growth and innovation of each student. The project mark will represent 80% of the unit mark.
Project Talk
The students will present their key findings as part of a cohort seminar day (summative double marked by one supervisor and independent academic) Students will deliver a 10-minute talk and then field 5 minutes of questions from the assessors and their peers. Again marks will be subject to moderation in discussions between the assessor and with the academic lead. The Seminar represents 20% of the unit mark.
Please note that this is a must pass unit.
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. PANMM0022).
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.
