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Biosciences Research Project

Module description

This module allows you to develop and undertake a research project with supervision.

A variety of types of project will be offered including research laboratory-based, field-based, bioinformatics, meta-analysis, and scientific literature-based (scientific critique, analysis and synthesis of material including data). Increasing independence in the work/research environment and in time management is encouraged and supported. Both group and individual projects may be offered.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This research project aims to develop your ability to conduct and report scientific research within the broad discipline of Biosciences, and develop your employability skills for future careers. You will choose a project from a list provided by academic staff. Self-designed projects are also welcomed but must be agreed with a suitable member of academic staff who will then act as primary supervisor for the project.

This module will develop your ability to think critically, analyse, challenge, and problem solve. You will develop your skills in reviewing the literature relevant to your project, in undertaking scientific critique, project planning, scientific methods, working collaboratively, problem solving, analysis and synthesis of material including data, and in writing a scientific report and giving an oral presentation. This module will also develop and enhance your employability skills for future careers through both generic and biosciences-related skills.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Utilise scientific skills appropriate to a particular research discipline within the biosciences
• 2. Perform a scientific literature search and successfully discern, organise and synthesise the relevant information
• 3. Plan, design and execute a research project
• 4. Analyse, interpret and present scientific data appropriately, including in both written and oral form

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Analyse in detail essential facts and theory in a sub-discipline of the biosciences
• 6. Analyse and evaluate independently a range of research-informed literature and synthesise research-informed examples from the literature into written work
• 7. Identify and implement, with limited guidance, appropriate methodologies and theories for solving a range of complex problems in a sub-discipline of the biosciences
• 8. With minimal guidance, deploy established techniques of analysis, investigation and enquiry within a sub-discipline of the biosciences
• 9. Evaluate in detail approaches to our understanding of biosciences with reference to primary literature, reviews and research articles
• 10. Illustrate and discuss, in detail and effectively, the contested and provisional nature of knowledge and understanding

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 11. Communicate effectively arguments, evidence and conclusions using written and oral means in a manner appropriate to the intended audience
• 12. Devise and sustain, with little guidance, a logical and reasoned argument with sound, convincing conclusions
• 13. Analyse and evaluate appropriate data and undertake a range of research tasks with an appropriate level of guidance
• 14. Interact with a research team/supervisor and deal proficiently with the issues that teamwork requires (i.e. communication, motivation, decision-making, awareness, responsibility, and management skills, including setting and working to deadlines)
• 15. Evaluate own strengths and weaknesses in relation to graduate-level professional and practical skills, and act autonomously to develop new areas of skills as necessary
• 16. Reflect effectively and independently on learning experiences and evaluate personal achievements

Syllabus plan

Preliminary planning for the project takes place at the end of Stage 2 resulting in the generation of a project plan early in term 1 of Stage 3. Data collection for “wet” and analysis projects takes place in term 1, with the final report due in term 2. Literature projects extend over terms 1 and 2, with the final written report due in term 2. You will receive lectures on conducting projects and writing project reports and on presentation skills. Supervisory meetings are held regularly by arrangement, normally fortnightly. If your project is literature-based you will produce a 1500-word draft report at the end of term 1, on which feedback will be made available.

You will participate in the annual Biosciences student conference during which you will give a short oral or poster presentation on your project.

The mark you receive under the professionalism and research performance assessment is based on evaluation of your input, professionalism and independence towards project design, planning, implementation, analysis, interpretation and report planning throughout the duration of your project.

Accessibility Statement:

Depending on the nature of your project, it may involve extensive laboratory work or field work. The specific demands of the project work will vary from project-to-project, and we will always strive to accommodate the needs of individual students over the course of the project. You should contact the relevant project supervisor at the earliest opportunity (ideally prior to submitting your project choices) if you envisage requiring any particular support. 

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons that are approved by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. If deferred, the format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). The mark given for a deferred assessment will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral - if you have failed the module (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) and the module cannot be condoned, you will be required to complete a re-assessment for each of the failed components on the module. The format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). If you pass the module following re-assessment, your module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• As directed by the supervisor.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

ELE page:

Key words search

Independent research, project, biosciences, experimental design, science communication, data collection, data handling, data analysis, project management, time management, collaboration, dissertation, scientific literature, scientific critique, literature review, employability