Unit information: Grant Proposal (Physiology) in 2021/22

Unit name	Grant Proposal (Physiology)
Unit code	PHPHM0003
Credit points	40
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Brennan
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience
Faculty	Faculty of Life Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

Students will devise an original programme of research, which they will present in the form of a grant proposal and oral examination. The unit aims to encourage students to investigate a specific research question in considerable depth using the scientific literature, and to develop an understanding of the process of devising a scientific research programme. The unit also aims to encourage a broader, integrative understanding of the research areas covered by their optional units.

Intended Learning Outcomes

• A deep understanding of a specific scientific question.
• The ability to gather information from the primary scientific literature and to critically evaluate the material and appraise competing theories.
• The ability to present original findings and ideas to a specialist audience in written and oral forms.
• The ability to demonstrate an integrated understanding of selected aspects of Physiology.

Teaching Information

Project planning and discussion meetings with project supervisors. Training in experimental techniques and data analysis, if required.

Assessment Information

The unit will be assessed through:

• Grant Proposal (60%). This student is required to complete a grant application form similar to that required for a research council project grant. Although a detailed costing is not required, the student is expected to justify the resources required and the ethical implications of animal or human experimentation. This summative assessment tests their ability to design and plan an original and realistic programme of research, of a standard suitable for submission to a research council.
• Grant Oral Examination (20%). This is a summative assessment by a panel of examiners of an oral presentation by the student and their ability to explain and answer questions on their Grant Proposal.
• Integrated Understanding paper (20%) This is a 2 hour exam in which the students are required to answer one question from a selection of options based on the chosen units. The exam will test the student's ability to synthesise and integrate information from diverse sources,and to demonstrate both breadth and depth in their understanding of the discipline and the methods available to advance it.

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. PHPHM0003).

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.