MSc Biotechnology and Enterprise / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Research Skills (Lab-based Research Project)

Course unit fact file
Unit code BIOL60770
Credit rating 90
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Full year
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

Students will choose a topic and research project supervisor from a list. The project should be relevant to a student’s interests and long term career goals. Once a project is chosen and in discussion with the supervisor who will have supplied the basic idea and structure of a proposed project the student will research the topic to get an up-to-date understanding of the research area chosen. The student should understand the analytical and practical approaches used and write a literature review. Students will then carry out the research, collect data and analyse the results. The student will give a presentation on their research project to colleagues and staff and then write a report in the format of a full research article suitable for an appropriate scientific journal.

Aims

  • To provide students with the experience and training in carrying out a research project
  • To be able to review the scientific literature
  • To enable students to present their ideas clearly and succinctly
  • To gain experience in writing clear and concise reports
  • To identify potential applications of a research project

Knowledge and understanding

Understand the background science of the research area

Intellectual skills

Understand how the planned research will test scientific ideas

Practical skills

Carry out and analyse experiments

Transferable skills and personal qualities

Transfer knowledge between areas and to identify potential applications of their research. Speak and write clearly and concisely.

Assessment methods

Assessment tasks:

Literature Review - 2000 - 4000 words excluding Abstract, Figures & Tables (& legends) and References - (20 credits; 22% final mark)

Oral Presentation - 15 minutes - (10 credits; - 11% of final mark)

Laboratory Performance - (10 credits, 11% of final mark)

Written Research Report - 4000 - 6000 words in the format of a research article. Abstract, Figures, Tables, Figure legends, reference lists & supplementary information are not included in the final word count - (50 credits, 56% of final mark)

Feedback methods

Formative feedback will be provided by the PI and research team for the following:

  • outline and draft of literature review
  • research performance including specific details required to ensure the success of experimental procedures
  • oral presentations at group meeting or practise talks
  • outline and draft of the research report

Recommended reading

         Facilities
  • Access to databases containing the Scientific literature relevant to the project
  • Lab staff with expertise in the experimental procedures to be used
  • Writing up area with access to advanced knowledge and software required for recording and analysing results
  • Work space to carry out research with relevant experimental materials and equipment
  • Audience and Seminar rooms to present results to the research team
  • PI with advanced knowledge in area of study

 

 Recommended reading

1) Specific to each project and will be provided by the project supervisor.

2) Jennifer. Peat Elizabeth Elliott; Louise Baur; Victoria Keena  (2008) Scientific Writing Easy When You Know How. Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Study hours

Independent study hours
Independent study 900

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Jordi Bella Unit coordinator

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