Module BIOL3631: RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Department: Biosciences

BIOL3631: RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Prerequisites

• • Satisfactory completion of at least five Level 2 BIOL modules

Corequisites

• • At least five other level 3 BIOL modules

Excluded Combination of Modules

• • Research Project BIOL3571, Biological Enterprise BIOL3441, Biology into Schools BIOL3431, Contemporary Issues for the Biosciences BIOL3641.

Aims

• To identify the limits of current knowledge in a chosen topic of biosciences, and to specify where further research would be both timely and feasible.
• To design a program of research to investigate a specified problem in biosciences with the aim of extending current knowledge.
• To communicate understanding of the research area, analysis of current knowledge, and originality in research planning in the form of a research proposal.
• To demonstrate an understanding of the ethical context of modern biosciences research, and evaluate potential impacts of research on the wider community.

Content

• Self-directed study.
• Workshops and tutorials in experimental design, data analysis, writing a project proposal, ethics and regulation, and impact.

Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge and understanding of current areas of research in a selected topic in biosciences.
• Knowledge of the body of current experimental data and techniques relevant to a specified research problem in biosciences.
• Knowledge of how impact of research can be estimated.

• To be able to identify the limits of research in a selected topic in the biosciences.
• To be able to design an experimental programme to extend knowledge in a selected topic in the biosciences.
• To place the project in context and evaluate its impact to both the scientific and wider community.
• To identify and consider potential ethical issues in the proposed research programme

• Critical assessment of scientific literature for strengths and weaknesses.
• Self-motivation and independent working.
• Literacy, in producing a clear and concise research proposal.
• Communication skills, in presenting the proposal and 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

• Research proposal: a fully prepared proposal (except for costings) based on the format used for Research Council applications, which describes a proposed programme of research to address an outstanding question in a specific topic agreed between student and supervisor, giving appropriate background, and an impact study. Full costings for the programme will not be required, but rough estimates of the resources required, and a justification, will be expected. Assessment is based on the proposal itself, and an oral presentation derived from it.
• Workshops and tutorials: large and small group teaching on research programme selection, critical analysis, ethical considerations, scientific writing for proposals, presentation, impact. In addition, the student will receive personal tutorials from a supervisor to give advice on preparing the research proposal.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

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