This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Undergraduate Handbook 2024-2025 (archived)
Module BIOL4063: BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH PROJECT (T)
Department: Biosciences
BIOL4063: BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH PROJECT (T)
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tied | 4 | 60 | Available in 2024/2025 | Durham |
Tied To
Pre-requisites
- • Satisfactory completion of level 3 of the Biology and Physics MSci degree (FGC0).
Corequisites
- • Workshop MBiol (BIOL4111), Foundations of Physics 4B (PHYS4261) and an additional 20 credits of Physics.
Excluded Combinations
- • None
Aims
- To carry out a research project in a specific topic on biological and physical sciences.
- To present the results of the research project in the form of a project report and an oral presentation.
Content
- Supervised project work and self-directed study.
- Workshops and tutorials in experimental design, data analysis and presentation techniques.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- In depth knowledge and understanding of a selected topic in biological and physical sciences, to the limits of existing knowledge.
- 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 Biophysical Sciences Institute. 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 project dissertation, based on the model of an MSc thesis, 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 | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project work | 16 weeks | 560 | |||
| Tutorials and workshops | 8 | 1 hour | 8 | Yes | |
| Self-directed learning, project report | 2 weeks | 32 | |||
| Total | 600 | ||||
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous Assessment | 100% | Project Dissertation | 90% | ||
| Oral Presentation | 10% |
Formative Assessment
None.
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.