| Unit name | Research Project in Health Sciences |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MEDIM0015 |
| Credit points | 120 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Dr. Holmes |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Bristol Medical School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
This unit is the most significant part of the programme in which you will spend approximately 8 months immersed in an area of research of interest to you. You will address the hypothesis and aims devised in your Project Proposal and in doing so gain valuable experience in applied research methodology and several experimental techniques. You will generate, analyse and critically assess original data which will allow you to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in your particular area of interest. During your research project, you will draw upon and apply the skills learned in preceding units to enable you to become an independent researcher.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
The Research Project unit will apply the knowledge and skills introduced and developed in Foundations of Health Sciences, Project Proposal and Research Club units.
You will be engaged with this unit for the duration of the programme. You will select your project and meet with your supervisor and
research group early in the first teaching block (TB1) to enable you to begin working on your project proposal and learn the techniques you will be using during your project. You will be expected to work approximately half-time on your project in TB1. From TB2 onwards you will be expected to work full-time.
An overview of content
Training in the practice and application of research methodology, experimental techniques, data collection and analyses required for your project. Specific content depends on the nature and aims of your research project, which may be clinical or laboratory based. Generic guidance will be given on health and safety, dissertation writing and viva preparation. You will write-up your findings in a dissertation which includes abstracts, introduction, materials and methods, results and discussion (which critically assesses and integrates new information into current scientific knowledge). You will present and defend your ideas and conclusions through written
and spoken communication in the dissertation, oral presentation and viva.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
You will gain the knowledge, skills and experience to enable you to make the transition towards being an independent researcher able to produce and interpret novel and reliable findings. You will become an expert in your area of research , with a clear understanding of the contribution of your project to knowledge and its impact within the wider field. You will be able to clearly and confidently present and defend your research and intelligently discuss your findings and conclusions.
Learning Outcomes
Independent research with theoretical and practical tuition and guidance from the project supervisor/s; self-directed learning (e.g. reading of relevant scientific literature); generic guidance tutorials on health and safety, dissertation writing and viva preparation.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Oral presentation of your on-going research to your research group (e.g. at research group meetings) for discussion and oral feedback. Discussion of the proposed content of your dissertation with your supervisor/s and submission of a written outline for feedback and approval, before writing of the dissertation begins. Submission of the equivalent of one complete draft of your dissertation for comment by your supervisor.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
When assessment does not go to plan
The overall pass mark of the unit is 50%. Students will have the opportunity to resit failed components of the research unit providing a mark of at least 45% is achieved in the unit overall.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MEDIM0015).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
