Unit information: Biomedical Sciences Research Skills in 2020/21

Unit name	Biomedical Sciences Research Skills
Unit code	MVSF30001
Credit points	40
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Professor. Jim Spencer
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	N/A
Co-requisites	4 x 20cp level H/6 lecture units offered by the schools of Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience.
School/department	Life Sciences Faculty Office
Faculty	Faculty of Life Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

Students will carry out an experimental, literature, computer-based or a school-based education research project in an area of current interest in biomedical sciences. The Introduction to the project dissertations will require a review of the relevant primary scientific literature. Students will be able to evaluate and discuss the key research papers underlying their project. Students doing experimental projects will learn data analysis skills and to disseminate their results in a written dissertation and by giving a research talk. All students will learn to assess the scientific literature and will evaluate whether appropriate conclusions have been drawn.

The unit aims to allow students to develop the skills necessary to carry out a research project in the field of biomedical sciences. They will read, analyse and interpret scientific data presented in the literature.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding of a specific area of modern biomedical sciences, including understanding of the scientific literature pertaining to the project and an ability to evaluate this literature critically.

Knowledge and understanding of design, execution and analysis of research projects.

The ability to reason; analyse and interpret data; identify and solve problems; exercise independence of mind; form and defend scientific judgements.

Transferable skills including the ability to communicate in writing and orally; be self-reliant and organise time effectively; work as a group member where appropriate; take appropriate decisions when needed; an appropriate level of numeracy and IT skill; plan, execute and interpret the results of experimental work; and manage a research project.

Teaching Information

Students will be supported throughout their projects by their project supervisors.

Specific instruction on data and literature interpretation will be given within the co-requisite level H/6 units.

Students will be given the opportunity to gain formative feedback on their performance on practice questions.

Assessment Information

Project

The assessed components will be the project dissertation and a research talk:

1. Project dissertation (90% of the mark)

2. Project research talk (10% of the mark)

Experimental project

- a dissertation of 5,500 words, to include a 250-word abstract and 2,000-word introduction

Or

Non-experimental project

- laboratory research project with a 6,500-word dissertation, to include a 250-word abstract and 2,000-word introduction

Or

University Ambassadorial Scheme (teaching project)

- a dissertation of 6,500 words, to include a 2,000-word introduction

Formative feedback will be provided on drafts of the Introduction and Results or Analysis Sections.

The Level H/6 Project is marked by the Supervisor and another Assessor:

Research Talk

All students will give a 10 minute oral presentation on their project, with five minutes for questions, which will be summatively assessed and formative feedback will be provided. The presentation counts 10% towards the unit mark.

Experimental and Non-experimental projects

University Ambassadorial Scheme (teaching projects)

Reading and References

Students are expected to read and refer to primary articles and reviews from the current scientific literature that are relevant to the project.