- UCAS course code
- B140
- UCAS institution code
- M20
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Course unit details:
Dissertation
| Unit code | BIOL21090 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 10 |
| Unit level | Level 2 |
| Teaching period(s) | Full year |
| Offered by | School of Biological Sciences |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
The dissertation is a unique opportunity for you to investigate an area of life sciences that is of interest to you. There will be a list of available titles from which you will make your preferred choices. Your dissertation may be supervised by a member of our research staff allowing you to gain first-hand knowledge of current research.
Aims
- Literature searching to research a specific scientific topic.
- Interpretation and analysis of scientific literature.
- Scientific writing to enable production of a comprehensive literature review.
- Allow students to explore in depth a topic that is of interest to them.
Learning outcomes
Students should:
- be able to understand in depth a scientific area of interest to the student
- be able to critically appraise research papers
- develop literature searching skills
- develop scientific writing skills
- develop lay writing skills (abstract)
- develop organisational and time management skills
- develop oral presentation skills (in tutorials)
- develop written and oral communication skills
Syllabus
The dissertation is a unique opportunity for the student to investigate an area of life sciences that is of interest to them. There will be a list of available topics from which students will make their top 8 preferred choices. Most students will be allocated one of these topics and through discussion with their supervisor be expected to conduct a comprehensive literature review on one aspect of the allocated topic.
Employability skills
- Analytical skills
- Each paper found during the literature search must be read and critically analysed. Students must think about the reliability of the findings of the paper.
- Research
- Students are expected to carry out an extensive literature review using scientific databases, read scientific papers and then produce a comprehensive literature review on that topic.
- Written communication
- Students are expected to produce a comprehensive literature review (9 pages in length) on a topic that interests them.
- Other
- Oral communication skills (in tutorials), organisational and time management skills.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Dissertation | 100% |
Feedback methods
Supervisors will comment and provide constructive feedback on one plan and a complete draft of the dissertation prior to submission. Dissertations to be marked using Grademark. Feedback and marks to be returned to students on blackboard.
Study hours
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 0 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Susan Taylor | Unit coordinator |