Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook
This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2006-2007 (archived)

Module BISS3172: RESEARCH PROJECT

Department: Biological and Biomedical Sciences (Biomedical Sciences) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

BISS3172: RESEARCH PROJECT

TypeLevelCreditsAvailabilityModule CapLocation
Tied 3 40 Available in 2006/2007 None. Queen's Campus Stockton

Tied To

Pre-requisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations

  • None

Aims

  • To develop an appreciation of the role and limitations of scientific research in the development of modern molecular medicine.

Content

  • Experimental design and hypothesis.
  • Identification of a program of experiments that will address a specific hypothesis.
  • Writing of research reports.
  • Identification of future work.
  • Critical assessment of data;
  • experimental strengths and weaknesses.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge
  • At the end of this module, students should should be able to: demonstrate appropriate skill in experimental design.
  • Execute a research project.
  • Demonstrate an ability to work safely and competently in a biomedical laboratory
  • Demonstrate an ability to review selected area of biomedical science in depth and produce a clear and concise dissertation in written form.
Subject-specific Skills
Key Skills

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Tutorials are used to structure the students' study of the selected topic area and provide expert feedback on their progress. These sessions will also guide the development of skills in experimental design.
  • Laboratory Project provides an opportunity for study of specific biomedical topics in depth, and as such develops subject specific knowledge. However, it also encourages the development of higher level learning in subject specific skills of experimental design, critical review of data and methodology as well as key skills of communication and independent work.
  • Dissertation assesses the student's ability to design and execute a research project, as well as critically assess their own and other published data in a selected area of biomedical research.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotal HoursAttendance Monitored
Lectures 4 up to one per month 1 hour 4
Laboratory sessions 20 as one block in Epiphany term 6 hours 120
Preparation and Reading 376
Total 400

Summative Assessment

ComponentComponent WeightingElementLength/DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Written Dissertation 100% 1 x 12,000 word dissertation 12,000 words 100%

Formative Assessment

Two interim reports, helping to inform the writing of research reports, critical assessment of data and experimental strengths and weaknesses. The ability to work safely and competently in a biomedical laboratory will be assessed on a regular basis by the supervisor and oral feedback provided.


Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.