Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module will provide an opportunity for students to:

•       Engage in cutting-edge research
•       Demonstrate professional attitudes in an intensive research environment
•       Apply specific scientific and technical skills to solve complex research questions
•       Communicate research outcomes in a written and oral format.

This will be achieved by allowing the student to undertake scientific research within a University Research Group.

Outline Of Syllabus

Projects are individual and unique and students will select a project in their area of interest. A range of techniques and a body of detailed knowledge appropriate to the area of research will be developed unique to each student. Students will work part-time during semester 1 and full-time in semester 2, carrying out original research under the guidance of an academic supervisor. Students write up the results of their research in a project dissertation and make an oral presentation of their work at the end of the module. The module will also allow the student to demonstrate their professionalism and competence with respect to their project work.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On completion of this module the student will be able to:

1.       Critically evaluate the literature relating to their research topic.

2.       Apply this body of knowledge to inform their hypotheses, experimental design and interpretation of data.

3.       Where appropriate, discuss ethical issues relevant to their project.

Intended Skill Outcomes

On completion of this module the student will be able to:

1.       Perform selected methodologies techniques related to their research project.

2.       Work independently and exercise personal responsibility.

3.       Devise hypotheses based on current understanding or existing preliminary data and use initiative to develop experiments to test those hypotheses.

4.       Present scientific information in written and oral formats.

5.       Apply health and safety knowledge and procedures where appropriate.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

A preliminary lecture will remind students of their ethical and health and safety responsibilities (LO K2, K3 and S5). Students will then divide their time between investigative work (LO S1-3), reading relevant literature (LO K1), data analysis and writing the report (LO S4). The actual hours allocated to each activity may differ slightly for each project.

Project work develops knowledge and understanding of research approaches and techniques, ability to devise and test hypotheses, scientific skills and the ability to work independently exercising personal responsibility and initiative.

Reading relevant literature develops information literacy skills, critical thinking (LO K1), knowledge and understanding of the research topic. It is accepted good practice that research groups meet on a regular basis to share/present information and discuss issues or problems.

The student is expected to attend the regular meetings and consider these as small group tutorial sessions (LO K3, S4) and an opportunity to enhance their understanding of the research and immerse themselves in a research culture.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Written dissertation and oral presentation assess knowledge and understanding of background literature relating to research topic, written communication of scientific information, numeracy, knowledge and understanding of research approaches and techniques, computer literacy and ability to devise and test hypotheses.

Supervisors assessment of professionalism and competence assesses interpersonal communication, teamwork, planning and organisation, problem solving, initiative and adaptability. Students will be required to maintain a record of attendance and engagement in research group meetings to demonstrate an integration into the research environment and culture.

General Notes

N/A