University of the
West of England
MODULE SPECIFICATION
Code: USSJHE-60-M Title: Research Project 1.1 Version: 3
Level: UWE credit rating: ECTS credit rating:
Owning Faculty: Health and Life Sciences Field:
Faculty Committee approval: Q&S Committee (School of Life Sciences) Date: June 2010
Valid from: September 2010 Discontinued from:
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Entry Requirements:
Excluded Combinations:
Learning Outcomes:
The student will be able to:
• Critically evaluate scientific literature and appraise current scientific theories in an analytical way
• Integrate subject specific contemporary theories at an advanced level
• Demonstrate awareness of financial constraints on research projects
• Use a range of scientific research techniques appropriate to solving complex scientific problems
• Set, negotiate and meet research objectives and deadlines to agreed targets and standards
• Design reliable and valid scientific research methods for data and information gathering in relation to their research project
• Analyse data and information objectively and relate these to existing knowledge and theoretical perspectives
• Critically reflect, in an objective way, on the methods, processes and outcomes related to their project
• Develop proposals or recommendations for new areas of investigation, identify new problems that arise from their work and create strategies or methodologies that would build on their project
• Present scientific data in a way that is suitable for consideration for publication in a peer- reviewed scientific journal as a research communication
• Enhance research and its practice through reflection.
Syllabus Outline:
Students will develop a research project which will apply biosensors in one of the following areas;
• Pharmaceutical
• Clinical
• Agri-food
• Environmental
Project Allocation:
A range of project placements will be available at UWE and also in Europe and other parts of the World. Part-time employed students may carry out their project work at their workplace where appropriate. Students will submit the research proposal to the project host institution as a guide to their knowledge, writing skills and intellectual abilities. It will be the University's responsibility to ensure that a project placement is allocated and in the case where students have been unsuccessful obtaining their preferred project placement then alternative placements will be available. This will involve some choice on the students' part but final allocation will rest with the module leader. Each project placement will be allocated two supervisors of which one supervisor must be from the University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE). In the case where project placements are based outside UWE then each student will have an external institutional supervisor and an internal supervisor (UWE). Such arrangements will apply to part-time employed students who may carry out their project work at their place of employment. Each student project will be individual but this does not preclude students working in project teams, in which case, the individual aspects of the project will be clearly identified. Research approaches that are applicable to this module include both laboratory and field based (i.e. controlled experiments conducted in non-laboratory conditions) studies.
Project Proposal:
The student will be required to produce a project proposal in a prescribed format. 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 due 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.
Science Communication:
Students will be required to undertake a viva voce concerning their research progress to date. In addition to this they will be required to prepare a Poster Communication (Conference Poster) about their findings and proposed future work. This poster communication must be in a form which reflects the need for scientists to engage with the public understanding of science such as is undertaken at Scientific Conferences. The Poster Comunications will be normally be presented at UWE unless alternative arrangements have been agreed with the module leader.
Research Communication:
The major findings of the research project will be written in the form of a research communication that must be appropriate for submission to an internationally recognised peer-reviewed journal. This research paper must be submitted for final assessment complete with the name of journal that the research paper was written for. The student will be guided by course documentation and supported by the supervisors who may comment editorially on all sections except the discussion and abstract. For all research communications high standards for presentation and content are expected.
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.
Any essential reading will be indicated clearly, along with the method for accessing it, e.g. students may be expected to purchase a set text, be given or sold a print study pack or be referred to texts that are available electronically, etc. 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.
If further reading is expected, this will be indicated clearly. If specific texts are listed, a clear indication will be given regarding how to access them and, if appropriate, students will be given guidance on how to identify relevant sources for themselves, e.g. through use of bibliographical databases.
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:
Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 100% B: 0%
FIRST ATTEMPT
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A (controlled) Element Wt (Ratio)
Description of each element (within Component)
CW1 |
|||
CW2 |
|||
CW3 |
Final Assessment |
||
CW4 |
|||
Component B Element Wt (Ratio)
Description of each element (within Component)
Second Assessment Opportunity (Resit) further attendance at taught classes
Component A (controlled) Element Wt (Ratio)
Description of each element (within Component)
CW1 |
|||
CW2 |
|||
CW3 |
Final Assessment |
||
CW4 |
|||
Component B Element Wt (Ratio)
Description of each element (within Component)
EXCEPTIONAL SECOND ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes .
Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)