Department of Biology & Biochemistry, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
BB30163 Laboratory project |
| Credits: 12 |
| Level: Honours |
| Semester: 1 |
| Semester: 2 |
| Assessment: CW 100% |
| Requisites: |
| In taking this unit you cannot take BB30042 or take BB30051 |
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Aims:
* To provide an understanding of the principles of advanced laboratory practice with emphasis on the choice of analytical systems and development of research strategies. * To provide students with experience and skills in planning and researching a contemporary area of scientific investigation in preparation for an extended piece of writing. Learning Outcomes: After taking this course the student should be able to: * Plan, prepare and write an extended scholarly review in an area of biosciences related to their laboratory project and set that topic in the context of what is the leading edge of current science. * Elucidate defined biological problems by designing appropriate practical experiments. * Carry out a practical investigation in the topic area of the project or one closely related to it. Skills: Learning & studying (T/F/A), Written communication (T/F/A), Numeracy & computation (T/F/A), Data acquisition, handling & analysis (T/F/A), Laboratory or Fieldwork skills (T/F/A), Information technology (T/F/A), Problem solving (T/F/A), Information handling & retrieval (T/F/A), Interpersonal & teamwork skills (T/F/A), Working independently (T/F/A). Content: There will be a number of different topic areas for investigation, encompassing the research interests of the Department. The unit will require the students to undertake their own planning and organisation of investigative work into a topic of biological interest. They will then carry out the investigation within the constraints of time and funding available. The planning stage involves defining the area of investigation. The preparation stage will involve researching the relevant literature. The actual investigation will require time to be spent carrying out the planned investigation. The writing stage will involve organising the material into a coherent and scholarly account. There will also be a review that allows students to undertake an in-depth study of a topic that is relevant to the Investigative project undertaken. The students will, during the course of completing the review, develop an in depth understanding of the area of bioscience relating to the practical element of the project. The student will put the topic in the context of the wider field of biological study. A number of transferable skills (process, presentational, management and personal skills), which will be of subsequent use to the student, will be developed. |