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Unit information: Extended Research Project in 2021/22

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

Unit name Extended Research Project
Unit code PANMM0022
Credit points 60
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director Dr. Darryl Hill
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

School/department School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Faculty Faculty of Life Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

The aim of the Extended Research Project unit is to provide students with the opportunity to gain an immersive and in depth experience of scientific research. This will involve being embedded full time in a research laboratory. The unit aims to promote the design, running and analysis of a research project, as well as time management.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit the students should be able to:

1. Plan and complete experiments to test hypotheses;

2. Interpret and present experimental data;

3. Draw logical conclusions from experimental data;

4. Formulate novel hypotheses based on experimental data;

5. Collate and analyse data from various sources including printed and online Scientific Journals, databases and textbooks;

6. Work independently, demonstrate organisational skills and the ability to manage time effectively.

Teaching Information

One-to-one instruction in experimental techniques. Direct reading. Peer group discussion.

Assessment Information

Formative assessment:

The project write up will be in the form of a recognised high impact publication style e.g. Nature, Cell, Taylor and Francis publications etc.

A full draft of the project (~5000 words) will be subject to a formative peer review. Peer students will prepare a reviewers comments document which the writer will reply to in an open discussion group (weeks 18-20). Discussion groups will be facilitated by the academic lead.

Full formative feedback will also be provided by the project supervisor (weeks 20-24)

Summative assessment:

The final project will be double marked by the supervisor and one project independent academic according to defined criteria. the project marks will also be subjevt to moderation by the academic lead in discussion with the two assessors. A proportion of the marks for each unit will be allocated through discussion based on academic judgement of engagement growth and innovation of each student. The project mark will represent 80% of the unit mark.

The students will present their key findings as part of a cohort seminar day (summative double marked by one supervisor and independent academic) Again marks will be subject to moderation in discussions between the assessor and with the acadmic lead. The Seminar represents 20% of the unit mark.

Please note that this is a must pass unit.

Resources

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. PANMM0022).

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 Faculty 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. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

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