NES3505 : Research Project
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Guenther Uher
- Co-Module Leader: Dr James Stach
- Lecturer: Dr Sara Marsham
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Mixed Location
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 20.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The module provides students with the opportunity to practice their use of the scientific method by completing either an analytical review or a research project. To encourage students to consolidate their organisational skills by giving them the responsibility for designing and running their own project through the preparation of an initial project proposal, carrying out laboratory, field or desk-based investigations and writing up their findings as a substantive report. To apply and consolidate skills learnt in a number of other modules, in particular Academic and Professional Skills for the Biosciences.
Students have the opportunity to develop their literature or research skills in a project that focuses on literature or a particular aspect of research that interests them. Students elect to undertake this project under the supervision of a member of academic staff. They have the opportunity to take responsibility for their own project and further develop their organisational and scientific writing skills.
Outline Of Syllabus
Working independently the students will refine a research project with their supervisor. Students will research the scientific literature relevant to their chosen subject area and for a research project will also identify or develop appropriate methodology and identify suitable analyses to be used in their research project. For research projects students will undertake independent research to test their hypotheses. Students will produce a full write-up of their project and prepare and deliver an oral presentation on their literature or research project as part of a ‘Scientific Conference’.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 72:00 | 72:00 | Research Project Report preparation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | N/A |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Preparation for lecture |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 7:00 | 7:00 | Scientific Conference presentation preparation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Introduction to the module |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 3 | 1:30 | 4:30 | Preparation for lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Formative Conference abstract completion |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 18:00 | 18:00 | Preparation and follow up of supervised meetings |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 78:30 | 78:30 | Research project dependent |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 2 | 8:00 | 16:00 | Scientific conference, including oral presentation |
| Guided Independent Study | Project work | 1 | 180:00 | 180:00 | Research Project data/literature collection |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | Project clinics |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Dissertation/project related supervision | 12 | 0:30 | 6:00 | Supervisor meetings |
| Total | 400:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures will introduce the module, develop their critical evaluation skills and inform students of the format of their final project report and scientific conference presentation.
Research project work will be supported by the drop-in clinics where students can receive additional advice and guidance on any aspect of their research project work.
Allowing students to conduct an analytical, field, laboratory, or desk-based research project will further increase their organisational, time management and planning skills through conducting an independent literature-based or scientific investigation. It will give students the opportunity to put into practice skills developed at previous stages of study, which may include planning and costing an investigation; devising a suitable methodology and approach; collecting, analysing and interpreting data and presenting their work in a concise format. The practical and tutorial sessions in MST1204 Academic and Professional Skills for the Biosciences that students will have all received prior to undertaking this module will have provided them with a thorough theoretical and classroom-based preparation for independent field, laboratory, desk- or literature-based study.
Assessment preparation and completion will allow students to fully prepare for their formative and summative assessments. They will have the opportunity to consolidate and build upon knowledge gained throughout their degree programmes.
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 | 2 | M | 20 | Scientific Conference presentation |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research paper | 2 | M | 80 | Project report (max. 5000 words for data-based research projects and max. 8000 words for narrative literature review projects) |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 2 | M | 200 word Scientific Conference abstract |
| Essay | 1 | M | Project introduction (max. 1500 words) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The project introduction allows the student to demonstrate their ability to research and synthesise information and receive feedback on their academic writing skills.
The final Research Project report is presented in the form of a 8000-word narrative literature review or a data-based 5000-word scientific paper which allows the student to demonstrate their scientific writing and critical thinking skills.
The abstract gives students an opportunity to receive feedback prior to their oral presentation, which allows the student to show that they can communicate effectively by summarising an in-depth investigation.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES3505's Timetable