Research Project
| Module title | Research Project |
|---|---|
| Module code | BIOM111 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 90 |
| Module staff | Professor Chris Scotton (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 10 | 10 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 25 |
|---|
Module description
In term 2 (part time) and term 3 full time you will undertake a significant research project. Here you will embed in an active research group to undertake a novel body of research. Projects will be either laboratory or data based. For laboratory-based projects you will carry out technical work to generate and acquire new data in research laboratories. For data-based studies you will be provided with unanalysed data and will process and interpret this. In each scenario you will be given the opportunity to generate novel data of publication quality.
You will be guided in your independent learning by our scientists/clinicians from the University of Exeter.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to ensure you are trained in appropriate practical and intellectual skills (acquired in your prior training on this course) to analysis and interpret immunology associated data.
This will include drafting project plans, undertaking laboratory work (if appropriate), analysing data and writing up and presenting data to professional standard.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Explain the background processes (both scientific and logistical) in the production of scientific data to address you research question.
- 2. Conduct experiments and/or analysis to address you research questions/ hypothesis.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Identify and employ suitable statistical tests to measure your own hypotheses.
- 4. Present your findings in a suitable manner for a scientific report.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Conduct laboratory work effectively by maintaining focus, professionalism, and safe standards including independent assessment of risks and timings.
- 6. Reflect and then improve on your work (including failures) following discussion with team and supervisors.
Syllabus plan
You will be required to draft a literature review and project proposal in term 2 that will provide the foundational guidance for subsequent project research activity.
At the end of term 2 beginning of term 3 you will undertake full time research related activity in a research team.
In mid July you deliver an oral presentation of your research progress to date. From the mid-July until mid-August you will be expected to draft you project write up in the form of a research manuscript.
The aims of this module are:
- To familiarise you with the existing scientific literature in your study area and teach you to assimilate this knowledge succinctly and critically.
- To give you experience in undertaking a substantial research project and to put into practice the knowledge you have acquired from your previous undergraduate stages and the taught elements of the programme.
By the end of the module, you will have reviewed and assimilated a substantial portion of the existing literature on your study area and carried out a piece of original research (or research which extends our knowledge on a topic), analysed the results using appropriate methods and learned how to disseminate the results in an appropriate manner.
In addition the module will allow you to further develop the following academic and professional skills:
- Problem solving: linking theory to practice, developing your own ideas with confidence, being able to respond to novel and unfamiliar problems
- Managing structure: identifying key demands of the project, setting clearly defined goals, responding flexibly to changing priorities
- Time management: managing time effectively individually and within a research group
- Collaboration: taking initiative and leading others, potentially maintaining group cohesiveness and purpose.
You will receive introductory sessions on how to prepare for your project, as well as health and safety training. Support sessions will also be run each term by the module convenor. During stage 3 a list of projects and potential supervisors will be distributed. Alternatively, you may also choose to generate your own project, in consultation with an appropriate supervisor. Following the allocation of an academic member of staff as your supervisor, and the primary source of guidance on the project, you will then work with them to design and conduct your project. Experimental work and data collection extends over both term 1 and 2 during stage 4, with supervisory meetings held regularly by arrangement.
You are required to submit your final project report, in the form of a paper, which could be submitted to a specific scientific journal. You will also complete a 3000-word literature review covering the background of your research project field. In addition, you will participate in a ‘3-minute thesis’ event towards the start of your project presenting your project goals.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 870 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 30 | Project work is conducted in conjunction with a research supervisor, who will provide individual guidance in project development, implementation, and in data analysis, interpretation, and presentation. Additional general project support will be provided by the module co-ordinator and the project presentation session will provide for an intensive period of interaction and feedback from academics and their peers. |
| Guided Independent Study | 870 | Additional reading and research. Experimental design, data collection, data analysis and preparation for the final paper assessment. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary project plan - including a working title, general overview of the project area, details of the relevant literature, key research questions, methodology, statistical approaches, timescale/research plan and bibliography | Max 3 pages | All | Written and oral |
| 4-page project draft | 4 pages | All | Written and oral |
| Pre presentation | 3 min plus 2 min questions | 1,3,5,6 | Written and oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project report | 60 | Max 4000 words | All | Written |
| Literature Review | 20 | Max 1500 words | All | Written |
| Research performance | 5 | Lab book record keeping assessment | All | Oral |
| Final project presentation | 15 | 10 mins plus questions | 1,3,5,6 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project report (60%) | Max 4000 words | All | Relevant re-assessment period |
| Literature Review (20%) | Max 1500 words | All | Relevant re-assessment period |
| Research performance (5%) | Lab book record keeping assessment | All | Relevant re-assessment period |
| Narrated PowerPoint (15%) | 10 mins | 1,3,5,6 | Relevant re-assessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Murphy, K. M., Weaver, C., Berg, L., & Barton, G. (2022). Janeway's immunobiology (10th ed.). Garland Science.
- Abbas, A.K., Lichtman, A.H., & Pillai, S. (2015). Cellular and Molecular Immunology (8th ed.). Elsevier Saunders)
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Students will be expected to use standard online search engines such as PubMed to access peer reviewed research that will support their learning.
| Credit value | 90 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | BIOM109 Practical Immunology; BIOM110 Immunology of Infection; HPDM193 Advanced Immunopathology |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 10/04/2025 |
