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Unit information: Pharmacology Research project in 2016/17

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

Unit name Pharmacology Research project
Unit code PHPH30006
Credit points 40
Level of study H/6
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director Dr. Steve Fitzjohn
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

PHPH20011 Principles of Pharmacology 2A

PHPH20012 Principles of Pharmacology 2B

Co-requisites

None

School/department School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience
Faculty Faculty of Life Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

Students undertake a supervised research project. Projects offered include wet laboratory projects and dry projects, which may be analytical or literary. All of these are carried out at an advanced level, with much more independent direction and critical evaluation expected from the students than in previous years of study. Students express their preference and projects are allocated on this basis whenever possible. The unit aims to develop key research and analytical skills in pharmacology. Students will gain experience of pharmacological research and gain an understanding of scientific enquiry through project work.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Outcomes applicable to all types of research project include:

  • Ability to formulate hypotheses and to critically test theories and concepts
  • Ability to disseminate experimental observations in written accounts and in poster presentations.
  • Scientific experimental design and execution
  • Research and analytical skills
  • The ability to critically evaluate scientific data and literature and appraise competing theories
  • Problem solving skills
  • IT skills
  • Scientific report writing.

A student undertaking a wet project, will develop the experimental skills that are necessary to carry out a research project in an active research laboratory. A student undertaking a dry project that is an analytical or bioinformatics project will develop advanced skills required for the detailed analysis of particular type of data A student undertaking a dry project that is a literary project will develop a very detailed understanding of the latest advances in a particular area of pharmacology, and hence be able to critically evaluate latest findings and suggest alternative experiments

Teaching Information

Practical projects involve laboratory and/or computer-based work that, although carried out under supervision, requires self-direction, motivation and independent thought from the students Literary projects are self-directed but are also supervised through weekly meetings between student and supervisor. Supervisors advise on the content of the project write-ups.

Assessment Information

Project Dissertation - 80%; 5000 words for a wet project, 7500 words for an analytical/literary project. BSc with Study in Industry students will be required to undertake an analytical library project.

Poster presentation of project work – 10%

Supervisor’s report – 10%; assessment made by the project supervisor based on student’s behaviour in the lab (in lab-based projects), organisational skills, timekeeping and contribution to discussions.

Reading and References

Reviews and primary articles from the current scientific literature.

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