Course unit details:
Research Project
| Unit code | BIOL65252 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 90 |
| Unit level | FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree |
| Teaching period(s) | Summer semester |
| Offered by | School of Biological Sciences |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Aims
Develop the knowledge and understanding, specialist practical skills and ability to critically analyse information and data that will allow our graduates to undertake a career as a researcher or practitioner in medical virology or a related field.
Develop in each student an appreciation and understanding of research along with the practical and intellectual skills needed to undertake independent problem solving in virology.
Offer the opportunity for students to participate in and further develop the current research interests of the virology community of practice.
Teaching and learning methods
The unit will be a supervised lab based project.
The supervisor will work with the student in the practical and theoretical aspects of research and will provide advice and guidance as is necessary to ensure the student works within the guidelines of the University of Manchester.
Knowledge and understanding
- Understand scientific method, including the philosophical context within which research is conducted in the context of medical virology
- Demonstrate familiarity with the theoretical and practical basis of relevant research methods and techniques.
- Have a detailed and in-depth knowledge and understanding of their chosen area of virology research
- Understand the practical issues and problems associated with conducting high quality research, including ethical issues, informed consent, data handling and storage (including patient information)
Intellectual skills
- Adopt a critical, inquisitive and reflective attitude to the evaluation of research in any context
- Analyse, interpret, objectively evaluate and prioritise information recognising its limitations.
- Recognise the importance of rigour and honesty in collecting, analysing, storing and interpreting data.
- Exhibit creativity and resourcefulness in their professional learning, scientific endeavour and research practice.
Practical skills
- Demonstrate confidence and competence in laboratory and/or in silico techniques relevant to their chosen project area.
- Apply appropriate methodology to a specific research question
- Present information clearly in written, electronic and oral forms, and communicate ideas and arguments effectively
- Receive, manage and manipulate information by all available methods, including electronically
Transferable skills and personal qualities
- Effectively manage time resources and set priorities
- Monitor and realistically evaluate their own performance and personal capability
- Be aware of career opportunities and how to take best advantage of these.\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.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Dissertation | 90% |
| Practical skills assessment | 10% |
Study hours
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 900 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Pamela Vallely | Unit coordinator |