Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2019-2020 (archived)
Module BIOL3571: RESEARCH PROJECT
Department: Biosciences
BIOL3571: RESEARCH PROJECT
| Type | Tied | Level | 3 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Available in 2019/20 | Module Cap | Location | Durham |
|---|
| Tied to | C103 |
|---|---|
| Tied to | C105 |
| Tied to | C108 |
| Tied to | B940 |
| Tied to | B940 |
| Tied to | B942 |
Prerequisites
- • Satisfactory completion of Level 2 course in Biological Sciences or Biomedical Sciences.
Corequisites
- None
Excluded Combination of Modules
- • Level 3 Biology Enterprise (BIOL3441), Level 3 Biology into Schools (BIOL3431), Level 3 Research Proposal (BIOL3631), Contemporary Issues in the Biosciences (BIOL3641).
Aims
- To carry out a laboratory- or field-based research project in a specific topic on biological or biomedical sciences.
- To present the results of the research project in the form of a project report and an oral presentation.
Content
- Supervised practical work and self-directed study.
- Workshops and tutorials in experimental design, data analysis, laboratory safety, and presentation techniques.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- In depth knowledge and understanding of a selected topic in biological sciences.
- Knowledge of communication of scientific information in both written and oral forms.
Subject-specific Skills:
- To be able to carry out an independent research-led piece of work in the area of biological sciences, in which qualities such as time management, problem solving and independence are evident.
- To be able to present the results of practical research in a form accessible to an audience of peers, in the form of an oral presentation.
Key Skills:
- Literacy, in being able to consult and extract information from printed and on-line archives.
- Numeracy, in data analysis, statistics and calculation.
- Communication skills, in presenting report and oral presentation.
- IT skills, in use of online data bases.
- Self-motivation, in self-guided learning, independent work on report and poster.
- Time-management, in planning experimental work.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Research Project: an extended piece of research, based on academic research being carried out in the School. The student has the opportunity to carry out research in a self-directed manner, based on training in generic areas, and on a framework supplied by the project supervisor. The project is assessed by means of an extended report, based on appropriate templates, and an oral presentation.
- Workshops and tutorials; large and small group teaching on background generic topics for project
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laboratory or Field work | 5 weeks | 187.5 | ■ | ||
| Tutorials and Workshops | 8 | 1 hour | 8 | ■ | |
| Preparation & Reading | 4.5 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Continuous Assessment | Component Weighting: 100% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Project Report | 50% | No | |
| Laboratory Performance | 40% | No | |
| Oral Presentation | 10% | No | |
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