NES8398 : MRes Research Dissertation Project
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Jon Marles-Wright
- Lecturer: Dr Fiona Cuskin, Dr Thomas Howard, Dr Martin Edwards, Dr Patricia Lopez-Calcagno
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 40 |
| Semester 3 Credit Value: | 60 |
| ECTS Credits: | 60.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The aim of this module is for the student to develop and complete an independent research project in an area directly related to their degree within the framework of the Biodesign cycle of ‘Design, Build, Test, Learn’. In semester one the students will focus on the ‘Design’ aspects with a design studio lead by the module staff; where, through a series of interactive research seminars and workshops, they develop a research project based on questions presented by the project supervisors within ‘UN Sustainable Development Goals’ research themes.
Through a series of theoretical and practical discussions, the students will develop skills in design-focused thinking, develop a research plan, and pitch the project idea to their peers and supervisors. In semesters two and three the students will focus on the ‘Build, test, and Learn’ aspects with an in-depth practical research project where the student can develop and demonstrate their research, analytical, interpretive and critical thinking skills. Some projects may be group projects where a team of students will work together on different aspects a single problem. In these cases, the students will work together to gather information and collate data, but each student must present an individual final thesis in the form of a research paper.
Outline Of Syllabus
Students will develop a research project in semester 1 within the scope of the research interests of the module contributors and potential project supervisors. The design studio will introduce the students to the concepts and practice of design thinking and key concepts in biodesign with seminars and interactive workshops lead by the module team. The workshops will focus on the following topics:
• Design-thinking as a process for problem solving
• Grand Challenges, UN sustainable development goals, and wicked problems
• The BioDesign Cycle: Design, Build, Test, Learn
• Project development
• Presentation and pitching skills
• Proposal structure, writing, and peer review
• Standards in synthetic biology and biodesign
• Data analysis, presentation, and sharing
• Project budgeting and organisation
• Implementation and analysis
The students will refine and deliver a 15-minute presentation/pitch of the project idea developed through the workshops and their independent study. They will also produce a written proposal outlining the aims, details, and budget of their project.
The students will develop their project proposal in semester 2 with a detailed GANTT chart and project timeline that will determine the timetable for their laboratory research. They will also prepare relevant health and safety documentation in collaboration with laboratory technicians. In semester 2 and 3 the student will undertake their individual research project under the supervision of the project supervisor, or supervisory team for group projects. This project will answer a specific research question and test the student’s ability to advance their knowledge and research skills in this subject.
The students will deliver a 15-minute presentation at the end of their research to an audience of students and academics to demonstrates their ability to explain their research and its conclusions to an audience and to answer questions based upon their research.
The students will produce a dissertation in the format of a research paper formatted as a manuscript for submission to an appropriate journal for their research.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Preparation of project presentation |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 50:00 | 50:00 | Preparation of research proposal submission |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 170:00 | 170:00 | Preparation of dissertation |
| Structured Guided Learning | Academic skills activities | 8 | 2:00 | 16:00 | Online exercises relating to biodesign workshops |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 620:00 | 620:00 | PiP - Project work in research laboratories in semester 2/3 |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 42:00 | 42:00 | Directed biodesign/biotechnology related reading |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 8 | 2:00 | 16:00 | Online skills practice relating to module content |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | Preparatory reading for workshops |
| Guided Independent Study | Project work | 1 | 32:00 | 32:00 | Development of Research proposal |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | PiP biodesign workshops |
| Guided Independent Study | Project work | 1 | 50:00 | 50:00 | Preparation of dissertation |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured non-synchronous discussion | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | Structured online discussions via Canvas discussion boards |
| Guided Independent Study | Student-led group activity | 8 | 2:00 | 16:00 | Online group work to develop group biodesign ideas |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Dissertation/project related supervision | 24 | 1:00 | 24:00 | PiP - Project supervision across semester 2/3 |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 87:00 | 87:00 | Independent reading |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Module introduction - familiarise your self with the course content |
| Guided Independent Study | Online Discussion | 1 | 30:00 | 30:00 | Participation in online discussion fora |
| Total | 1200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The students practise and develop their discipline related skills and knowledge, and their generic skills, through independent study of an individual research project. They gain the skills and knowledge delivered by the module by “learning through doing” as they undertake the project. They are supported by one or more academic supervisors who advise on experimental methodology and result interpretation.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 15 | 3 | M | 5 | 10 minute presentation on the dissertation followed by 5 minutes of questions |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | 3 | M | 70 | Approx. 7000 words, to be written in the style of the most appropriate high-quality journal for the subject |
| Case study | 2 | M | 5 | Risk assessment, and COSHH, ethical assessment and GANTT timeline. |
| Research proposal | 1 | M | 20 | Project proposal Approx 2500 words in the style of an abridged RCUK Case for Support and Justification of Resources |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 1 | M | Formative group presentation on project idea. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The aim of the assessment is to test the student’s ability to develop and design a research project (Project Proposal) to answer a specific research question, to plan the implementation of the project (Project plan and GANTT) to undertake and report that investigation and to present the information both to an audience in the form of an oral presentation and as a manuscript suitable for submission as a journal paper.
The Group presentation formative assessment allows the student to receive feedback from instructors and peers before the preparation of the Project Proposal
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES8398's Timetable