MSci Genetics

This unit will provide students with the scientific knowledge and the critical reading, writing and experimental design skills that will underpin their final year project. Students will be informed of their MSci project supervisor (allocated in consultation with students and their Programme Directors) at the start of the year. Students will first write a Literature Review in semester 5, followed by a Research Proposal in semester 6. The Literature Review is worth 30% of the unit marks and the Research Proposal is worth 70% of the unit mark. At the start of each semester, students will attend plenary sessions that provide guidance on writing the Literature Review and Research Proposal, critical reading of the primary literature, evaluate experimental approaches and design experiments to test a hypothesis. During the remainder of each semester, students will work with their supervisor to identify a research topic/question that will form the basis of their final year project, to write a review of the relevant literature (the Literature Review), and develop a proposal for their final year research project (the Research Proposal). 

The unit aims to:

• Develop students' skills in critical reading and interpretation of primary research literate in order to draw together information and identify gaps/contradictions in the literature.
• Provide students with an understanding of experimental design and relevant methodologies in order to be able to formulate and write a research proposal.

This unit will be delivered through a combination of one-to-one supervision by a member of academic staff (the MSci supervisor), and larger plenary sessions. At the start of Semester 5, students will identify members of staff (from a list of potential supervisors) whose research they find interesting. Students will then be allocated an MSci supervisor who will help them to identify a research question/topic that will form the basis of their MSci project, and supervise writing of their Literature Review and Research Proposal. Students will have two face-to-face meetings with their supervisor each semester. Supervisors will provide formative feedback on a plan and section of both the Literature Review (Semester 5) and the Research Proposal (Semester 6). Plenary sessions focused on preparing students for writing the Literature Review and Research Proposal will take place at the start of Semesters 5 and 6 respectively.

• Identify current areas of research within the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health relevant to their degree programme and interests.
• Demonstrate in depth knowledge and understanding the primary literature and research methodologies relevant to their project.

• Research and critically appraise (analyse, evaluate and make judgement about) primary bioscience literature.
• Draw together information from multiple sources to form a coherent whole.
• Identify gaps and/or contradictions in the primary literature.
• Apply knowledge and understanding to write a critical review of the primary literature.
• Apply knowledge and understanding to formulate a research question/hypothesis that will form the basis of their research project proposal.
• Select appropriate strategies and experimental methods to address a specific hypothesis/research question.
• Plan and write a research proposal.

• Research and critically evaluate experimetnal methods/approaches from primary literature.
• Design experiments to test specific hypothesis, including appropriate controls.

• Work collaboratively with a scientific expert.
• Manage time effectively to meet deadlines.
• Apply knowledge to solve problems.
• Plan a project, including identification of milestones and contingencies.
• Make use of feedback to improve written work.

Written and verbal feedback detailed in assessment methods.

Primary research articles relevant to the topic. Guidance will be provided by supervisor.

For Information and advice on Link2Lists reading list software, see:
http://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/academicsupport/informationandadviceonlink2listsreadinglistsoftware/
 

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2027 will be £10,050 per annum. Tuition fees for international students will be £38,000 per annum.

For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).