Department of Biology & Biochemistry, Unit Catalogue 2010/11 |
BB50143: Critical research analysis skills |
 Credits:
| 12 |
| Level:
| Masters |
| Period: | This unit is available in... |
| Academic Year |
| Assessment:
| CW 100% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| |
| Description:
| Aims: To provide students with the experience and skills for researching, writing about, and developing a research proposal in contemporary areas of scientific investigation relevant to the discipline (as stated in the award title). Learning Outcomes: After taking this course the student should be able to: * Plan, prepare and write extended literature reviews at the leading edge of research in the relevant discipline; * Critique a research paper; * Write critical analyses of verbal presentations in the relevant discipline; * Complete a research proposal suitable for a 4-year PhD programme in the relevant discipline. Skills: Investigation of the contemporary literature. Extended essay writing. Critical appraisal of published papers and of presentations. Writing a research proposal. Content: The minimum requirement to achieve the credits for this module is that a student will be able to (i) write two scholarly literature reviews on key topics in the relevant discipline drawing on a diverse range of sources, (ii) attend tutorials to discuss the topics, (iii) provide a verbal critique of a published paper, (iv) attend five presentations by researchers in the relevant discipline and write a critical analysis of each talk, and (v) prepare a research proposal by developing a novel research idea and converting it into an outline of a research proposal suitable for a 4-year PhD programme. It will include objectives, materials and methods and techniques. There may be a requirement to present at least one of the topics to the group as a research seminar. |