Neuroscience Research Dissertation
| Module title | Neuroscience Research Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Module code | NEUM006 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 90 |
| Module staff | Dr Talitha Kerrigan () Dr Akshay Bhinge (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 20 |
|---|
Module description
In this module you will undertake an independent, but supervised, longitudinal research project embedded with one of our leading research groups working in the field of Neuroscience. Research projects will be selected from a portfolio of available options to suit all interests. These projects may be based on laboratory work, systematic review, or in silico (e.g., data analysis, computer modelling, bioinformatics). Both group-based and individual projects may be offered. You will receive training in different aspects of experimental design, hypothesis testing, data analysis and presentation. You will be prepared for success in this module through knowledge and skills acquired during your taught modules on this degree programme.
This module can only be taken by students on the MSc Neuroscience programme.
Module aims - intentions of the module
In this module you will be conducting an in-depth piece of scientific research relevant to Neuroscience. This module aims to put into practice the knowledge and skills acquired from the taught elements of the programme. It will give you experience of many aspects of research work, how to collect experimental data including the use of specialised computer software, and how to critically evaluate both methodology and data, and how to write up results of experiment procedures.
Further, this module aims to develop and enhance your employability skills for future careers through both generic and Neuroscience related skills and strongly prepares you for life after university. By being fully immersed in a professional setting for 9 months, you will get a good flavour what it entails to be working in the Neuroscience research field. The module will train you in time management, professional interactions, and communication skills.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of the background literature within a chosen area of the research project that leads to the hypotheses and/or aims of the project
- 2. Apply skills of critical thinking, problem-formulation, problem-solving, and rigorous data analysis.
- 3. Design a research hypothesis to be tested within a proposed research project
- 4. Execute all the developmental phases of a research project which will include technical aspects, data collection, as well as critical analysis and ultimately presentation of the results and conclusions both orally and in written scientific formats
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Describe in detail some techniques applicable to research in Neuroscience
- 6. Demonstrate through oral and written assessments a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights in Neuroscience
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Manage time, workload, ambiguity, change and stress effectively
- 8. Apply key skills of effective project management and leadership
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of the typical structure is as follows:
In the first couple of weeks of the programme, you will have a lecture which will introduce the module in detail, including the Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs), assessment procedures, and other practicalities.
A list of project areas and potential supervisors will be distributed during the first semester. You will choose, in consultation with potential supervisors, a project by the beginning of January. By running across three terms, you and your supervisor have the flexibility to establish working patterns that best accommodate the project, your other module choices, and the circumstances of their research group.
Once a project has been selected you will commence work on the literature review and project proposal, with a submission deadline before Easter. You must present a research talk on your project roughly 2-3 weeks before the project submission deadline to obtain feedback from research staff and other students.
The final assessment is a project report presented in the form of a paper or review to a specified journal, as agreed by the student and supervisor, with a deadline usually around end of August .
During the first term, you will also attend both workshops and tutorial sessions where the key principles of statistics, experimental design and scientific writing will be taught:
Tutorial groups:
The following topics will form the basis of discussion within these groups, , covering the topics described below and delivered by a suitably qualified member of staff:
- Experimental Methods in NeuroscienceEthical issues in neuroscience research
- Principles of experimental design
- Statistics, data handing and data presentation
- Key research skills and scientific communication
- Scientific poster presentation and preparation
- Dissertation Writing workshop
Statistics workshops:
These sessions aim to provide you with key data handling and analysis skills. Across seven workshops during the module, you will perform statistical analysis along with a lecturer who will provide practical demonstrations. Indicative topics that may be covered include:
- Data handling and data types
- Measures of significance
- Basic statistical methods
- Assumptions of statistical tests
- Data interpretation
- Data visualisation
- Coding for Neuroscientists (basic use of R, Matlab)
Your engagement with the tutorial sessions and workshops will be monitored through submission of in- class tasks on the material covered within these sessions.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 38 | 862 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 24 | Tutorial groups (12 X 2h) |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 14 | Statistics workshops (7 x 2h) |
| Guided Independent Study | 12 | Online pre-recorded lectures (12 x 1h) |
| Guided Independent Study | 850 | Project-related work including: writing project proposal, literature research and reading, report writing, data collection and analysis, preparation for supervisor meetings, oral presentation preparation, engaging with online instructional videos found on ELE, and other guided independent study. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research strategy meetings with project supervisor | 12 hours | 1-8 | Oral |
| Research Proposal | 1000 words | 1-6 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | 0 | 30 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poster presentation | 30 | 1 A0 poster (1,000 words or equivalent) | 1-6 | Written and oral |
| Tutorial and workshop engagement | 10 | Submission of In-Class tasks (one submission per session) | 1-6 | Verbal and Peer feedback |
| Lab/data Project Dissertation OR Systematic review dissertation | 60 | 10 000 words | 1-6 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poster Presentation (30%) | Re-submission of 1 A0 poster (1,000 words or equivalent) (30%) | 1-6 | By end of ref/def period |
| Tutorial and workshop engagement (10%) | Submission of In-Class tasks (one submission per session) (10%) | 1-6 | By end of ref/def period |
| One of the following: Lab/data Project Dissertation(60%) OR Systematic review dissertation (60%) | Re-submission of the one of the following (60%) (in-line with original form of assessment): Lab/data Project Dissertation, 10 000 words OR Systematic review dissertation, 10,000 words | 1-6 | By end of ref/def period |
Re-assessment notes
Please refer to the TQA section on Referral/Deferral: http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/aph/consequenceoffailure/
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
“Statistics for dummies” – Rumsey, ISBN 9781119293521
“Statistics II for dummies” – Rumsey, ISBN 9780470543863
“Writing for Science Students” - Boyle & Ramsey,?ISBN 9781137571519
“Critical thinking skills: effective analysis, argument and reflection” – Cottrell, ISBN 9781137550521
Project-specific reading:
This will vary according to your specific project, and initial reading will be suggested by your supervisor.
ELE – College to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
As directed by the project supervisor
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
As directed by the project supervisor
| Credit value | 90 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 45 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 22/02/2023 |
| Last revision date | 22/04/2024 |
