MSc Biochemistry / Course details

A practical research project where the student is fully integrated within a research team. The project is assessed by submission of a dissertation, poster or oral presentation, and an assessment of research performance.

MSc life science programmes (Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Cancer Research and Molecular Biomedicine, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Nanomedicine, Neuroscience):

• Satisfactorily attended BIOL62000 Postgraduate Training Programme
• Passed or compensated BIOL60210 Tutorials and Workshops
• Passed or compensated BIOL60330 Scientific Communications
• Passed or compensated BIOL65161 Statistics & Exp Design
• Passed or compensated BIOL66111: Laboratory Skills
• Passed BIOL66121 Research Project 1 (supervisor-led)
• pass the Research Project 1 (with referral if required)  
• pass the Research Methods unit (with compensation or referral if required) OR  
• pass the Clinical Masterclass unit (with compensation or referral if required
• pass the Practical Skills unit (with compensation or referral if required),and  
• pass the Tutorial unit (with compensation or referral if required)  
• pass the programme-specific unit (with compensation or referral if required) 

The aims of RP2 are to:

• Equip students with knowledge, practical skills and a thorough understanding of processes of scientific research to enable them to pursue their independent research career.
• Develop skills to communicate their own work in written, oral or poster form.
• Equip students with the above skills and understanding as well as a valuable portfolio of own work to substantiate future job applications

Students should:

• Have gained a robust understanding of a chosen area of research.
• Have become familiar with the theoretical and practical basis of research methods and techniques.
• Have acquired practical experience of developing research questions and using research methods to answer them.
• Have gained practical experience of presenting scientific research in written, oral and/or poster form.

Gain knowledge, practical skills and research experience to pursue a research career  focused on the field of the chosen MSc programme:

• Understand scientific method together with the philosophical contexts within which  research is conducted in the field of the chosen MSc programme.
• Be familiar with the theoretical and practical basis of the research methods and  techniques used in the major sciences basic to medicine.
• Have acquired an understanding of the theory and practise of research methods and  techniques.
• Be aware of the practical issues and problems associated with conducting high quality research in medicine, including ethical issues; informed consent; storage of patient  information both summative and formative
• Have a detailed and systematic understanding of a chosen area of medical science 

Understand the theory behind different techniques so they can be applied and altered as required.

• Adopt a reflective and inquisitive attitude to the analysis and evaluation of research in the field of the chosen MSc programme
• Recognise, define, formulate and prioritise research questions that are pertinent to the field of the chosen MSc programme
• Analyse, interpret, objectively evaluate and prioritise information, recognising its limitations
• Understand and be able to critically appreciate methodology, including the appropriate selection of quantitative or qualitative methods
• Recognise the importance of rigour in collecting, analysing and interpreting data
• Exhibit creativity and resourcefulness in their professional learning, scientific endeavour and research formulations

• Apply appropriate methodologies to specific research questions
• Demonstrate competence in practical laboratory or clinical skills to enable sound and reproducible collection of data
• Present information clearly in written, electronic and oral forms, and communicate ideas and arguments effectively
• Retrieve, manage and manipulate information by all means, including electronically

• Effectively manage time resources and set priorities
• Monitor and realistically evaluate their own performance and personal capability
• Be aware of career opportunities and begin to plan a career path
• Demonstrate scholarship in research
• Demonstrate a capacity for self-directed, independent learning and adopt the principles of reflective practice and lifelong learning
• Deal with uncertainty and work within a changing environment

• Written dissertation (70%) 
• Research performance (15%) 
• Poster or oral presentation (15%)

There are a series of (timetabled) meetings with the Programme Director and Project  Supervisor to discuss progress. Dedicated meetings are recorded on a form (signed by all  present) and are held by SBS Assessment.  

In addition the student is expected to take an active part in all their research group's lab  meetings, which would normally be held weekly.