University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

Code: USSJ6C-60-M Title: RESEARCH PROJECT Version: 6

Level: M UWE credit rating: 60 ECTS credit rating: 30

Module type: Project

Owning Faculty: Applied Sciences Field: Natural & Life Sciences

Valid from: September 2006 Discontinued from:

Pre-requisites: NONE

Co-requisites: NONE

Excluded combinations: NONE

Learning outcomes:

Students will be able to:

      • demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the research process.

      • demonstrate the ability to define a hypothesis.

      • plan and perform an investigation of a well-defined research problem.

      • demonstrate the ability to draw valid conclusions based on experimental observation.

      • discuss critically the significance and contribution of their project to existing published work.

      • utilise electronic information sources effectively as learning aids.

Syllabus Content:

A series of tutorials are run throughout the year which are designed to offer support and guidance during the project selection and planning process. These cover topics such as hypothesis setting, experimental design, research statistics, scientific writing, ethics and project regulations. These are supplemented by a booklet which explains in detail the project regulations and sets out guidance on problems and pitfalls to be avoided, what are the hallmarks of a successful project etc.

All students are expected to complete and submit a written project proposal detailing their proposed title, hypothesis, plan of study and selected key references. This proposal is reviewed by the project supervisor and a specialist subject tutor and any alterations required agreed with the student. At this point, a specialist tutor is appointed at UWE to act as a source of primary advice and as a link with any external supervisors appointed. The topic selected is expected to be within the field of the named MSc.

Teaching and learning methods:

Preparation for the project takes the form of a series of small group tutorials which guide project selection, hypothesis setting etc and one to one tutorials with subject specialist tutors throughout the performance of the study. The assigned project supervisor is available for advice and discussion by appointment throughout the project module. Where students run into particular difficulties, the facility exists for UWE tutors to be consulted and if necessary to visit them in their place of employment.

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 UWEonline or through any other vehicle deemed appropriate by the module/programme leaders.

• How to write and publish a scientific paper. Day, R. (1989). Cambridge University Press.

• Communicating Science - a Handbook. Shortland, M. and Gregory, J. (1991). Harlow: Longman Scientific and Technical.

• The Complete Plain Words (3rd ed.). Gowers, E. (1987). Revised by Greenbaum, S. and Whitcup, J. Harmondsworth: Penguin.

• A Guide to Scientific Writing. Lindsay, D. (1995). Melbourne: Longman Scientific and Technical.

• Scientific papers and presentations. Martha Davis ; illustrations by Gloria Fry Publication info: San Diego, Calif. ; London : Academic Press, 1997.

• Writing and presenting scientific papers . Birgitta Malmfors, Phil Garnsworthy, Michael Grossman. 2nd ed. Nottingham : Nottingham University Press, 2004.

• Making sense - a student’s guide to research and writing. Margot Northey and Brian Timney. Oxford University Press, 2005, 3rd ed.

And relevant Journals on Biological and Biomedical Sciences

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

Assessment

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

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A Element weighting

WP1

Project Proposal

3

WR1

Element 2 – Project Report

12

OP1

Element 3 -- Viva Voce Examination

5

 

 

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes) NO

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

WP1

Project Proposal

3

WR1

Element 2 – Project Report

12

OP1

Element 3 -- Viva Voce Examination

5

 

 

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes. NO

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

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

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