| 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 |
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.
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.
One-to-one instruction in experimental techniques. Direct reading. Peer group discussion.
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.
Relevant research papers, textbooks and other sources of Scientific literature. The exact nature of these references will be different for each research project
