| Unit name | Foundations in Health Sciences Research |
|---|---|
| Unit code | BRMSM0074 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Biglino |
| 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 provides an essential foundation for your educational journey and development as a researcher by delivering training in the academic, research and transferable skills required for your subsequent studies and the successful conduct of your research project. You will learn how to source and reference relevant literature. You will be introduced to how to read, write, interpret, critique and present research information. This unit will equip you with fundamental knowledge and understanding of experimental and clinical research design and statistical analysis. You will also gain an awareness and understanding of the theory and practical application of commonly used laboratory techniques. This unit will provide the basis for you to be able to interpret and critically appraise the scientific literature, to design, analyse, interpret your own research studies and prepare you for more specialised training appropriate to your area of study.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit is taken at the beginning of the programme to ensure that you have solid core knowledge and understanding of the academic and research skills you will need in the rest of the programme. The Project Proposal, Research Club and Research Project units will utilise and further develop the knowledge and skills imparted in this foundation unit.
An overview of content
Teaching and learning include: Finding research information by using the library and internet; reading, interpreting and presenting research data; scientific writing and referencing. Experimental and clinical research design and methodology, concepts of data analysis and statistical inference, and application of a statistical software package to manage and analyse data are covered. The statistical teaching will cover aspects important to laboratory-based experiments, epidemiological studies and clinical trials. The theory and application of several widely used laboratory techniques for investigating physiology and pathophysiology applicable to various areas of biomedical research are included.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
You will acquire the academic and research expertise to successfully embark on your research project with confidence. Your communication, organisational, decision-making and time management skills will develop.
You will grow both as a self-directed individual, and as collaborative team member.
Learning Outcomes
Find, review, describe and critically appraise research studies.
Devise research questions and hypotheses and design appropriate studies to address them.
Understand, apply and interpret appropriate statistical analyses.
Critically discuss the principles and practice of fundamental laboratory techniques used in biomedical research.
You will learn fundamental academic and research skills through lectures (in person and online) and interactive tutorials. Self-directed asynchronous online e-learning resources cover the essentials of statistical concepts which are supported by interactive tutorials including formative problem-based discussion. Laboratory techniques are taught by lectures and practical classes.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
When assessment does not go to plan
If the overall pass mark for the unit (50%) is not achieved, students will usually be expected to resit the failed unit assessment. The resit assessment may not be in the same form as the original assessment but will test the same learning outcomes. The resit unit mark will be capped at 50%
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. BRMSM0074).
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.
