Unit information: International Students Summer Research Project in 2020/21

Unit name	International Students Summer Research Project
Unit code	PANM10004
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Professor. Wuelfing
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 unit is designed to offer students exposure to a variety of research skills and experiences, with a particular focus on preparing students for undertaking future research projects in their chosen fields. Students will join pre-existing research groups to contribute directly to longer-term and ongoing University of Bristol research projects within the School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine. It is intended that the output generated by students will contribute directly to University of Bristol research.

• To promote the understanding of one or more of the following areas of research: Microbiology, Immunology, Cancer Biology, Regenerative Medicine.
• To develop independent work skills within a research environment
• To design and carry out experiments and analyse and interpret data
• To develop oral communication and written presentation skills
• To provide experience to promote further study opportunities in research

The unit is taught via practical-based laboratory sessions. It is anticipated that practical skills will be taught within research groups in the first few weeks, followed by an increasing amount of independent research undertaken by the students. Students will also benefit from attending relevant University of Bristol symposia related to research.

The unit involves a multi-week research project, whereby students will use techniques and skills to design and carry out experiments and analyse data. These will be showcased via an oral presentation towards the end of the unit.

It is envisaged that the unit will help develop a wide range of skills relevant for all biomedical and dental students; both laboratory-based skills and transferable skills such as working as part of a team, problem-solving and scientific communication. It is anticipated that students will spend 150 hours in laboratory sessions. Students will also benefit from attending relevant University of Bristol symposia related to research.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit, students should have developed skills including:

• Key laboratory skills and techniques, including the use of laboratory equipment, handling of biological materials, and generating and recording data
• Being able to contribute to planning and carrying out a research project
• Being able to communicate effectively in both verbal and written formats
• Working as part of a team to address a specific research topic
• Being able to design and deliver a scientific-based oral presentation
• Using problem-solving skills to troubleshoot
• Enhanced knowledge of a specific, specialist subject
• Time management

Teaching Information

• Research project training within established research groups
• Practical-based work in laboratories
• Attendance at research group meetings
• Oral communication sessions

Assessment Information

The unit will be assessed through a combination of written tasks (lab book, report) undertaken throughout the unit and an oral presentation delivered in the final week.

Attendance (10%)
Satisfactory attendance as per a full-time research student

Research lab book (20%)
To be completed over the course of the project

Research report (40%)
A 500-word abstract comprising an Introduction, Materials & Methods, Results and Discussion

Oral presentation (30%)
Individual oral presentation to colleagues and School staff members