Unit name | Honours dissertation |
---|---|
Unit code | ANAT32122 |
Credit points | 40 |
Level of study | H/6 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
Unit director | Dr. Trish Dolan |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None, |
Co-requisites |
Experimental Design and Statistics unit |
School/department | School of Anatomy |
Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
Students will conduct an original research project and present their findings in the form of a research dissertation and oral presentation. The unit aims to encourage students to investigate a specific research question in considerable depth and to develop an understanding of the process of scientific research. The project can take a variety of forms: Experimental projects are lab-based and involve the design, conduct and analysis of "wet" experiments, in which the students collect their own data, or occasionally "dry" experiments where the students analyse the results of existing data. Non-experimental projects are based on research of the scientific literature and require a detailed literature review on a particular research question and to propose a programme of further research. Teaching projects are based on the assessment of teaching methods and materials used in the undergraduate science and professional courses, or development of teaching aids (eg. e-learning) to augment existing teaching. Undergraduate Ambassador Scheme project students research and develop an original anatomy- based teaching project in partnership with teachers at a local secondary school. This involves the students developing original teaching resources and using them to deliver teaching to A-level pupils on a selected aspect of the A-level curriculum, along with assessment of their effectiveness. A second part of the project involves devising an original experiment that can be conducted by A-level pupils using the resources available in the Faculty teaching labs.
Students list their preferences from a wide range of projects and every attempt is made to allocate them a project according to their first three choices. Lab time for experimental projects is limited to 240 hours, mostly on Thursdays and Fridays between Oct and Feb.
Aims:
The aim of this unit is to develop in the student the ability to source information relevant to a research question, and to formulate an experimental hypothesis based on that information.
Experimental projects: to test that hypothesis in a supervised research environment.
Non-experimental projects: to formulate a research proposal that will seek to test the hypothesis.
Project planning and discussion meetings with project supervisors. Training in experimental techniques and data analysis relevant to the specific area.
The unit will be assessed through:
Key reading is specific to the chosen project, and will be advised by the supervisor in the description of the project, which students will receive prior to Registration and selection of the project. General guidance on sourcing references, writing style, bibliographic style, oral presentation, and laboratory safety procedures are given in the Unit handbook.