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SL30077: Research design and project preparation (BB30259)

[Page last updated: 26 October 2023]

Academic Year: 2023/24
Owning Department/School: Department of Life Sciences
Credits: 12 [equivalent to 24 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 240
Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Period:
Academic Year
Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Research Design and Project Proposal (CW 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: After completing this unit, students should be able
* To formulate specific questions that can be answered by research, possibly by framing them as testable hypotheses.
* To design experimental plans that address specific questions.
* To recognise issues around resources, time and other limitations encountered by most research projects.
* To recognise both strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
* To research and analyse the ethical issues relating to the research proposal
* To communicate the research to an audience on non-experts.


Aims: The unit aims to provide students with skills necessary for preparing a year-long research project proposal, taking into account the ethical issues involved in conducting bioscience research. Ii also aims to develop skills in communicating science to a non-expert audience.

Skills: Research methods (T,F,A), Numeracy (F, A), Problem solving (T, F, A), Scientific writing (F, A), Independent working (F).

Content: Principles of research project design, research methods, analysis, project management, predicting outcomes, resource planning and timelines of deliverables through a Gantt chart.
5 key challenges in bioscience and health policy identified by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics,
Principles of communicating scientific research to the public (tips and techniques, through guest lectures from experts).

Course availability:

SL30077 is a Must Pass Unit on the following courses:

Department of Life Sciences
  • USSL-AFM01 : MBiochem(Hons) Biochemistry (Year 3)
  • USSL-AKM01 : MBiochem(Hons) Biochemistry with Professional Placement (Year 4)
  • USSL-AFM02 : MBiol(Hons) Biology (Year 3)
  • USSL-AKM02 : MBiol(Hons) Biology with Professional Placement (Year 4)
  • USSL-AFM03 : MBioMed(Hons) Biomedical Sciences (Year 3)
  • USSL-AKM03 : MBioMed(Hons) Biomedical Sciences with Professional Placement (Year 4)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2023/24.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.