Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The aims of the module are to:

1.       Allow students to undertake a general training in research methods and management within a first class research environment involving an appropriate project exploring one or more aspects of biosciences, health sciences and/or behavioural sciences.

2.       To allow intercalating students to experience medical research first hand.

3.       Within these aims, the students will experience a range of cutting-edge research within biosciences, health sciences and/or behavioural sciences either in the University, in another higher education institution or in Industry.

4.       To enable students to make informed choices about their further career development either medicine, science or business.

5.       To enable students to develop a range of professional and key skills, which will enable them to engage in teaching and/or research at an advanced level in higher education or in a senior professional capacity in other fields of employment.

Outline Of Syllabus

Students will be able to choose from a list of projects offered by academic supervisors within the University and out-with the University or (intercalating Newcastle MBBS students) arrange their own project under the supervision of an appropriate member of the academic staff of the University.

Projects are approved by the degree programme director or their nominee(s).

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of this module students should be able to:

1.       explain in detail the broader theoretical and, where relevant, applied background to their specific research topic

2.       discuss how their topic of research relates to the current literature and evaluate critically their own findings and those of others

3.       explain and compare the different mechanisms for reporting and disseminating the outcomes of research

4.       demonstrate an advanced understanding of the research process.

Intended Skill Outcomes

By the end of this module students should be able to:

1.       apply a variety of techniques applicable to research in their area of study

2.       maintain an accurate record of research that meets professional standards

3.       apply the principles of time management and setting priorities within a project to ensure that the aims of a project are met

4.       work safely and independently in a research environment

5.       apply skills in data management and analysis

6.       write to a specific format, as required in the learned journals and professional communications

7.       communicate science and research for both specialist and wider more general audiences

8.       perform a present in person oral presentation to an audience and answer questions on it provided at the time by the audience and/or assessors

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Students will carry out guided but independent original research, through which they will apply and develop skills in planning and recording research, in addition to data recording and analysis. Students will be guided to plan their own research activities, which will require them to develop, through reading and dialogue with the research group, an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the broader topic of their research. This engagement in the research project embeds all of the intended knowledge outcomes and practices and develops skills 1-5. Writing the dissertation, with feedback from supervisors, develops skill 6. Preparation of poster, and lay abstract and preparation and practice of oral presentation, develops skills 7 and 8.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assessments all test skills that are key attributes of the professional bioscientist, and are also transferrable to many other careers.

The dissertation tests: the student’s ability to write in a style suitable for publication in the scientific literature; critically evaluate their own data and the published literature; to present analyse and discuss their own work and data.

The poster and oral presentation assess the student’s ability to prepare and deliver short summaries of their project using different methods and appropriate software in clear and concise formats. Oral presentations are present in person, time limited, and to an audience of peers and assessors. Following their presentation, students answer questions on it provided at the time by the audience.

The lay abstract assesses the student’s ability to prepare a short summary of their research accessible by the general public. Computer literacy is assessed in the dissertation, poster and oral presentation.

General Notes

Project supervisors are asked if the work included in the project requires Hepatitis B. When needed students are offered this vaccination.