
- UCAS course code
- C705
- UCAS institution code
- M20
BSc Biochemistry with a Modern Language / Course details
Year of entry: 2023
- View tabs
- View full page
Course unit details:
Projects
Unit code | BIOL30030 |
---|---|
Credit rating | 30 |
Unit level | Level 3 |
Teaching period(s) | Full year |
Offered by | School of Biological Sciences |
Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
Your final year project is your opportunity to undertake a research project in an area of your interest, whilst potentially contributing to cutting edge scientific research. There are a wide range of project types available, depending on supervisor availability and previous academic performance:
Laboratory Based Project
Design and carry out a piece of original research in a specialist research laboratory. A recent project tested the effects of anti-viral drugs on reducing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Field Based Project
Design and carry out a piece of original research in the field. A recent project took place in a conservation area in Peru examining the population of species of Caiman (which are similar to crocodiles).
Bioinformatics/Biomodelling Project
Carry out research using computers. This may be achieved by running other software, or querying online data resources, or it may be done by designing and writing your own software. A recent project identified the areas of interaction between specific proteins by analysing data on protein structures which is available in a protein database. Interaction between proteins governs the majority of biological processes.
Bioscience Stakeholder Opinion Project
The aim of Stakeholder Opinion projects is for students to identify stakeholders and gather their opinions on a topic relevant to the Biosciences. The topic would be similar in scope to a parliamentary ‘Green Paper’ (consultation documents to gather opinions/ feedback on policy or proposals). The upshot of a Green Paper is to produce a ’White Paper’ (an authoritative report or guide that informs readers about a complex issue and is meant to help readers understand an issue, solve a problem, or make a decision).
Environmental Sustainability Project
Students will act as consultant(s) who will advise on actions and directions a research lab (or other settings as appropriate) can take to lower the single-use plastics burden, and/or other environmental targets as recommended during the project.
During the final year of your course you will be undertaking project work. You will be allocated one of the following types of projects described above: Laboratory, field or data-based Science Communication Projects (SCP) Projects with the Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine (HSTM) Life Sciences Enterprise Project (LSEP)
Outcomes for students are that you should: • learn to work independently or as part of a group/team as required (research group, for example) to address a particular bioscience question or topic • be able to search for and critically review the literature in a particular field and relate your own research to that in the existing literature • develop critical and creative thinking skills (develop ideas, data analysis and evaluation skills, be able to form judgements) • gain experience in the scientific method and develop problem solving skills; for example, how to design experiments or develop strategies to test hypotheses and/or evaluate your output • develop communication skills • write a scientific review and project report (or equivalent) • develop oral presentation skills (tutorial talk) • liaise with supervisor, other staff and students, as appropriate Assessment methods
Assessment methods BIOL30030 ONLY For assessment of other project types see relevant unit specifications • Project output (not diss/n) Project Report (85%) Your Report should be submitted via Blackboard as an electronic PDF file. The deadline for handing in final reports is given on Blackboard, or can be obtained from the Student Support Office. Details of Assessment and marking criteria can be found in the Guidelines to Literature Reviews and Projects document in Blackboard. Other: A Project Performance mark (15%) is awarded by the Supervisor. This broadly measures how a student performs over Semesters 5 & 6 in their project work Students completing a Literature Review can expect to receive formative feedback on an outline/plan plus a short extract (paragraph plus figure). When a Literature Review has been marked, written feedback can be viewed in Blackboard, and verbal feedback will be provided by your supervisor. All students can expect to receive formative feedback on a full draft of their project report (except the discussion), or equivalent (but this will only be forthcoming if dates for obtaining feedback are agreed with supervisors and are met).
Feedback methods
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours
Project supervision
35
Independent study hours
Independent study
265
Teaching staff
Staff member
Role
Ruth Grady
Unit coordinator