BIO6145 - Research Project

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

LO1 - Undertake and communicate an independent piece of biomedical research.

LO2 - Apply appropriate research methods to test a hypothesis.

LO3 - Problem-solve research methods and their application.

LO4 - Generate individual data and evaluate the statistical significance of findings.

LO5 - Evaluate the statistical significance of findings.

LO6 - Critically present their own data in the context of published material.

Content:

This module will enable you to perform an individual piece of research, generating your own data and analysing the significance of the findings. Projects will be offered in biomedical science areas involving either laboratory research, bioinformatics or computer modelling. As part of the process, you will consider the relevant risk assessments, COSHH requirements and ethics for the work being undertaken. In the event of the research requiring ethical approval, this will be obtained at the correct level, either School, Faculty or University.

The content of this module has been mapped to the IBMS QAA Benchmark requirements for:
- Research Skills including research design, methodologies, planning and execution of hypothesis-based research and scientific writing; generation, recording, collation and statistical techniques for the analysis of quantitative data and/or qualitative analytical techniques for the interpretation of non-numerical data.

- Research Project - an honours level project based in biomedical science is a mandatory component of an IBMS accredited degree programme. Assessment regulations must require a pass standard to be achieved for the project at honours level that must take the form of an independent project and can be a laboratory-based, a systematic review including statistical analysis and evaluation, or bioinformatics-type project but not a literature review.

- Generic and subject-specific skills including awareness of the need for compliance with health and safety policies, good laboratory practice, risk and COSHH assessments, the Human Tissue Act, other relevant legislation and the importance of quality control and quality assessment.

- Key transferable skills, including communication, IT, numeracy, data analysis.

For the detailed syllabus content see the module handbook.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The 4 x 2 hr Lectures will cover key essentials for research and support you with data analysis, referencing, creating the poster, writing the dissertation, and preparation for the viva.
Project work - Practical sessions or Computer sessions: For your specific project, you will undertake the practical work either in the laboratory or in a computer suite for up to 120 hours in semester 1, and up to 72 hours in semester 2. During these times, the laboratory and/or computer facilities will be available to the full cohort and project supervisors will be available to answer questions and assist with methodological issues.
Group tutorials will take place with allocated project supervisors in the form of 20 x 1h meetings over the two semesters (1 per week) to ensure you have everything you need for your research project, and to support you in this final stage of your course. In addition, students will be able to arrange individual 1 to 1 support meetings from their allocated supervisor.

Lectures
Hours: 8
Intended Group Size: Full Cohort (40)

Project Work
Hours: 192
Intended Group Size: Full Cohort (40)

Group Tutorials
Hours: 20
Intended Group Size: Max 15

Individual Tutorials
Hours: 10

Guided independent study
Hours: 220

Further details relating to assessment

Assessment tasks are designed to measure the extent to which you have satisfied the Level Learning Outcomes for your programme. Some modules, for example where there are professional body (PSRB) requirements, will also test for module-specific skills and knowledge.

Further details of assessment are available in the Assessment Handbook for your programme and in Assessment Briefs provided by Module Tutors.

The Poster Presentation assessment will consist of a single page PowerPoint slide with diagrams and text to illustrate the research undertaken, plus key findings. Feedback on the poster will be provided to assist you with the completion of the Research Project write up. The Poster Presentation assessment will be submitted mid-semester 2, following completion of all the data generation in the laboratory or on computers.

The Research Project assessment will be a write up of 5,000 words in the form of a thesis covering an introduction to the area of biomedical science research studied to generate data, detail of the research methods employed, presentation plus statistical analysis of the data generated, followed by a discussion of the significance and relevance of the results. The Research Project assessment will be submitted in the second Exam week of Semester 2.

The Project Viva Exam assessment will be a 10 min verbal defence of the thesis in front of the supervisor and another member of staff. The Viva-voce Exam will take place in week 15 of Semester 2 just prior to the end of Level 6 in the University timetable.

The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) professional body requires students to achieve a pass mark in all assessment components for modules that cover the clinical laboratory sciences subject areas including this one. Since laboratory practical sessions contribute towards assessments these sessions should be considered compulsory. Condonement/compensation will not be permitted for this module, which contributes significantly to the benchmark statement and has learning outcomes that cannot be evidenced elsewhere for the accreditation of the degree.

Assessment:

Fact File

Module Coordinator - PRS_CODE=
Level - 6
Credit Value - 45
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered -

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