Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2009-2010 (archived)
Module BIOL3461: Research Project
Department: Biological and Biomedical Sciences
BIOL3461: Research Project
| Type | Tied | Level | 3 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Available in 2009/10 | Module Cap | None. | Location | Durham |
|---|
| Tied to | C100 |
|---|---|
| Tied to | C101 |
| Tied to | C130 |
| Tied to | C132 |
| Tied to | C184 |
| Tied to | C185 |
| Tied to | CC77 |
| Tied to | C701 |
| Tied to | C300 |
| Tied to | C301 |
Prerequisites
- Satisfactory completion of Level 2 single honours course in Biological Sciences.
Corequisites
- None.
Excluded Combination of Modules
- None.
Aims
- To study a chosen topic of biological sciences in depth.
- To design a work schedule and experiments to investigate a specified biological problem.
- To work Independently.
- To integrate knowledge and skills acquired in other parts of the course.
- To communicate a written account of research work done in a logical and concise manner.
- To communicate the results in a the form of an oral presentation.
Content
- There will be workshops in:
- experimental design and analysis of results
- ethics and regulation;
- health and safety in the laboratory;
- There will be tutorials in:
- the subject area to study;
- scientific writing
- oral presentation.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- At the end of the module students should be able to demonstrate in depth knowledge and understanding of a selected topic in biological sciences.
Subject-specific Skills:
- Students should be able to describe the fundamental tenets of a chosen research project.
- Students should be able to place the project in context and describe current and emerging developments in this area.
- Students should be able to design and carry out laboratory or field investigations to address a biological problem.
Key Skills:
- Students should demonstrate self-motivation.
- Students should be able to critically assess scientific literature for strengths and weaknesses.
- Students should be able to produce a clear and concise project report.
- Students should be able to present a summary of their findings in the form of an oral presentation.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Workshops, Tutorials, Field Work or Lab work, Project report and an Oral presentation.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laboratory or fieldwork | 150 | ■ | |||
| Tutorials | 3 | 1 hour | 3 | ■ | |
| Workshop | 6 | 1 hour | 6 | ||
| Preparation & report writing | 41 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Continuous Assessment | Component Weighting: 100% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Oral presentation | 10% | ||
| Laboratory skills assessment | 30% | ||
| Project report | 60% | ||
Formative Assessment:
None
■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University