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BIOL3571: RESEARCH PROJECT

Please ensure you check the module availability box for each module outline, as not all modules will run in each academic year. Each module description relates to the year indicated in the module availability box, and this may change from year to year, due to, for example: changing staff expertise, disciplinary developments, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Current modules are subject to change in light of the ongoing disruption caused by Covid-19.

Type Tied
Level 3
Credits 20
Availability Available in 2024/2025
Module Cap
Location Durham
Department Biosciences

Prerequisites

  • Satisfactory completion of Level 2 course in Biological Sciences.

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • Level 3 Biology Enterprise (BIOL3441), Level 3 Research Proposal (BIOL3631), Contemporary Issues in the Biosciences (BIOL3641), Level 3 Public Engagement in Biosciences (BIOL3661).

Aims

  • To carry out a research project in a specific topic on biological sciences.
  • To present the results of the research project in the form of a project report and an oral presentation.

Content

  • Supervised research project 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 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 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 presentation.
  • Time-management, in planning project 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 department. 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

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Project work 5 weeks187.5Yes
Tutorials and Workshops81 hour8Yes
Preparation & Reading4.5 
Total200 

Summative Assessment

Component: Continuous AssessmentComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Project Report 60No
Project Performance 30No
Oral Presentation 10No

Formative Assessment

None

More information

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