University of the West of England
MODULE SPECIFICATION
(Revised November 2002)
Code: USSJFR-30-M Title: Project Development towards a Doctorate
Level: UWE credit rating: ECTS credit rating:
Owning Faculty: Applied Sciences Field:
Valid from: Sept 2004 Discontinued from:
Learning outcomes:
· demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the research process.
· demonstrate the advanced ability to define a hypothesis.
· plan an investigation of a well-defined research problem related to biomedical science practice.
· demonstrate an advanced awareness of Research Governance, ethics and health & safety aspects of developing a project.
· develop as a skilled reflective practitioner in research development and methodology
· utilise electronic information sources effectively as learning aids.
Syllabus outline:
A series of tutorials will run 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 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, statistical analyses, ethical application and selected key references. This proposal is reviewed by the project tutor and selected lead supervisor with relevant subject experience and any alterations required agreed with the student. At this point, the whole supervisory team will be selected and workload plan discussed and confirmed.
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. Feedback on the Proposal will support students towards generating the formal Faculty postgraduate research proposal and gaining RDC approval.
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.
Gregory, I (2003) Ethics in Research. London, Continuum.
Hesse-Biber, S.N. & Leavy, P. (2004) Approaches to Qualitative Research. New York: Oxford University Press.
Lindsay, DA (1995) Guide to Scientific Writing. Melbourne: Longman
Flint, MF (1990) Users Guide to Copyright. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Sortland, M and Gregory, J (1991) Communicating Science. Harlow: Longman.
Bland M. (1995) An Introduction to Medical Statistics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
And relevant Journals on Biological and Biomedical Sciences available in the Bolland Library
An explanatory booklet which is tailored to the needs of this module will be provided plus information through the RDC intranet site.
Assessment
Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 100% B: %
ATTEMPT 1
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A (controlled) Element weighting
3 | ||
ES1 |
2 | |
Component B
Description of each element Element weighting
Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes )
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
3 | ||
ES1 |
2 | |
Component B
Description of each element Element weighting
SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes .
Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)