MODULE SPECIFICATION

Code: USSJKU-120-M Title: Research Project Version: 2

Level: M UWE credit rating: 120 ECTS credit rating: 60

Module type: Dissertation

Owning Faculty: Health and Life Sciences Field: Applied Sciences

Faculty Committee approval: SLS Q&S Committee Date: June 2010

Approved for Delivery by: N/A

Valid from: September 2010 Discontinued from:

Contributes towards: MSc by research in Bio-Sensing Technology

Pre-requisites: None

Co-requisites: None

Entry requirements: N/A

Excluded combinations: None

Learning outcomes:

The student will be able to:

    • critically evaluate scientific literature and appraise current scientific theory;

    • Integrate subject-specific contemporary theory with research at an advanced level;

    • design reliable and valid research methods for data and information gathering;

    • use a range of scientific research techniques to solve complex scientific problems;

    • develop proposals for new areas of investigation; identify new problems and create appropriate strategies or methodologies;

    • demonstrate awareness of research governance and financial constraints in research;

    • set, negotiate and meet research objectives and deadlines to agreed targets and standards;

    • enhance research and its practice through reflection acquiring a deep understanding of research inquiry and methodologies;

    • present scientific data in a manner that is suitable for consideration for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal as a research communication.

Syllabus outline:

Students will develop a research project in the area of biosensing technology which may have application in biomedical/health diagnostics, environmental, agri-food, forensic areas and other areas.

The project will be developed and agreed at the start of the Masters programme after appropriate assessment of both the student’s aptitude and interests, and the feasibility of the project.

The project will be undertaken, through full-time study or part-time study at UWE OR in a clinical or industrial laboratory. It will be the University’s responsibility to organise and arrange projects undertaken outside UWE. Each project will be allocated two supervisors, at least one of which must be from the University of the West of England. In cases where project placements are based outside UWE, then each student will have an external institutional supervisor and an internal (UWE) supervisor. Each student project will be individual but this does not preclude students from working in project teams, in which case the individual aspects of the projects will be clearly identified. Research projects may include both laboratory and field-based (ie. controlled experiments conducted in non-laboratory conditions) studies.

Project Proposal:

All students are expected to complete and submit a written project proposal detailing their proposed title, hypothesis, plan of study and selected key references. The proposal will be agreed by the project supervisor and the module leader before the work progresses. At this stage, it is anticipated that most proposals will be for projects that seek solutions to specific problems or applications. Projects in which the outcome is less certain are acceptable providing that the student and supervisor or employer can demonstrate the research value and that both are aware of what will constitute a successful project. At this stage a risk analysis will be undertaken and any ethical approval will be sought within the UWE Research Appraisal and Governance Structure (RAGS)

Practical Work:

It is expected that as far as possible, students will be allowed to develop their project within the agreed proposal and that variation will arise after consultation with the supervisor. The student is expected to work conscientiously and with due consideration for safety and ethical issues, all of which will be appropriately documented in their laboratory notes. Regular meetings of the student with the supervisory team will be undertaken to allow both updating and proactive identification of issues affecting the project

delivery within the allowed timeframe.

Scientific Communication:

In addition they will be required to prepare a Poster Communication (Conference Poster) about their findings and proposals for future work. This poster communication must be in a form which reflects the need for scientists to engage with the public understanding in the form that occurs at Scientific Conferences. The Poster Communications will normally be presented at UWE unless alternative arrangements have been agreed with the module leader.

Research Communication:

The findings of the research project will be written in the form of an assessed dissertation. The format of this dissertation will be in line with that used in the majority of scientific peer-reviewed journals.

Students will be required to undertake a viva voce on their submitted dissertation. The oral examination shall be conducted by two examiners with relevant subject expertise who may be an internal and an external examiner or two internals.

Teaching and learning methods:

Learning is through in-depth research practice, critical reviewing of key scientific literature, reference materials and analytical texts. A detailed consideration of relevant ethical issues is integral to the module.

Reading Strategy

All students will be encouraged to make full use of the print and electronic resources available to them through membership of the University. These include a range of electronic journals and a wide variety of resources available through web sites and information gateways. The University Library’s web pages provide access to subject relevant resources and services, and to the library catalogue. Many resources can be accessed remotely. Students will be presented with opportunities within the curriculum to develop their information retrieval and evaluation skills in order to identify such resources effectively.

This guidance will be available either in the module handbook, via the module information on Blackboard or through any other vehicle deemed appropriate by the module/programme leaders.

Indicative Reading List:

    Bailey, S. (2009). Academic Writing. A Handbook for International Students. 2nd Edition. Routledge (Taylor & Francis) publishers.

    Booth, W. et al (2003) The Craft of Research (2nd Ed.) University of Chicago Press.

    Holliman, R., Whitelegg, E., Scanlon, E., Smidt, S., and Thomas, J. (2009) Investigating Science Communication in the Information Age. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Holliman, R., Thomas, J., Smidt, S., Scanlon, E., and Whitelegg, E. (2009) Practising Science Communication in the Information Age. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Matthews, J.R. and Matthews, R.W. (2010). Successful Scientific Writing, 3rd Edition. Cambridge University Press.

    Malmfors, B., Garnsworthy, P. & Grossman, M. (2004). Writing and presenting scientific papers. 2nd Edition. Nottingham University Press.

    Margot Northey and Brian Timney. (2005). Making sense - a student’s guide to research and writing. 3rd Edition. Oxford University Press.

    And relevant Journals in Biosensors and Analytical Sciences

    An explanatory booklet which is tailored to the needs of our MRes is given to all students.

Assessment

Please state which element of assessment should be recorded as the final assessment for the purposes of submitting data on non-submissions to HEFCE. (For further information please contact Academic Registry.) *

Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 100% B: 0%

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity (Sit)

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

CW1 Project Proposal 2

CW2 Written Dissertation (maximum 20,000 words) 15

CW3 Poster Presentation 2

CW4 Viva voce (oral examination) (Final Assessment) 3

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

Second Assessment Opportunity (Resit) (further attendance at taught classes is not required)

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

CW1 Project Proposal 2

CW2 Written Dissertation (maximum 20,000 words) 15

CW3 Poster Presentation 2

CW4 Viva voce (oral examination) (Final Assessment) 3

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

EXCEPTIONAL SECOND ATTEMPT (Retake): Attendance at taught classes is not required.

Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

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