Unit name | Research Project Planning for MSci in Biology/Zoology |
---|---|
Unit code | BIOLM0020 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
Unit director | Dr. Rands |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
n/a |
Co-requisites |
n/a |
School/department | School of Biological Sciences |
Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
Students choose or are allocated a topic, and work closely within a research group to plan their field-based or laboratory research, putting into practice many of the transferable skills learned in Professional Development for Life Science (BIOLM0015) or in other professional development units. They are introduced to academic research culture through a series of laboratory tours and seminar sessions with both members of the department and visiting academics. They may plan to undertake their project as a placement outside the School of Biological Sciences, in which case they will work at this planning stage with two advisors: one outside the School and one academic within the school. The aims are for students to learn successful planning of a project, including understanding and summarising the literature, planning experimental design and statistics, planning data collection, and considering logistics, ethics, animal welfare, and time management. Students also gain understanding and confidence by presenting plans to peers and academics for feedback.
Having completed this unit, students will be well placed to conduct an excellent research project. They will be able to:
lecture, seminars, one-to-one discussion, and self-study
Formative assessment will come through feedback on work by project advisors and peers. Summative assessment (letters refer to intended learning outcomes):
Students will also be required to attend and be actively engaged with at least four discussion sessions arranged around the departmental seminar series (engagement with four sessions, noted with an attendance register, will be required to complete the unit).
Current reading will be recommended by the teaching staff, e.g.: