1.Gather, synthesise, summarise and critically evaluate information and evidence including biological research and to use that information to support and develop arguments.
Knowledge and Understanding
Learning.

2. Safely and ethically execute appropriate practical work to conduct a largely independent biological investigation with minimal guidance and indirect supervision.
Application
Enquiry,
Reflection

3. Explain the scientific principles underlying the methods and techniques employed, be aware of alternative approaches and to evaluate the limitations of both (including ethical and safety issues).
Application
Knowledge and Understanding
Learning

4. Apply quantitative, numerical and statistical techniques appropriate to the investigation and demonstrate an awareness of the assumptions and limitations of the tests employed.
Application
Enquiry
Learning
Knowledge and Understanding.

5. Confidently and proactively employ IT skills as an integral tool to support learning
Enquiry

6. Communicate in the format and style appropriate to a professional biologist.
Communication.

The project is designed to allow you to demonstrate your development as a scientific practitioner and is viewed as a culmination of your discipline expertise and professionalism. This substantial project provides the opportunity for you to draw together all the practical experience, knowledge and critical understanding you have acquired from your previous studies. You are required to study a topic directly relevant to your award and, if in employment, in a specialism appropriate to your position. From an idea generated by yourself in discussion with an academic advisor and/or your employer you will design, plan and undertake a research project to test a hypothesis whilst considering and observing ethical governance and suitable and sufficient safety risk assessments required to undertake the planned project. Having conducted your investigation you will:

Analyse the data using appropriate methods and statistical techniques and interpret, critically discuss and draw conclusions from the data.

Write a project report, in the style of a scientific paper, that describes and critically evaluates the research project, clearly identifying the strengths and weaknesses

Present a summary of the research project, in poster form, at a student conference and respond to questions appropriately.

Prepare a summary of the research project suitable for a non-specialist audience.

Throughout your project you will further-develop the skills necessary for self-managed and lifelong learning (e.g. working independently, time management, organisational, enterprise and knowledge transfer skills) and build on your knowledge and understanding of the role and impact of intellectual property (IP) within a research environment.

The normal expectation is that the project should be practically based (lab or fieldwork) but those involving the significant manipulation and novel interpretation of pre-existing large data sets (e.g. in metagenomics, bioinformatics etc.) may be considered if in the opinion of the supervisor and module co-ordinator there is potentially sufficient novelty in the work and it meets the learning outcomes of the module.

You will be required to complete 2 pieces of summative assessment.
Additionally there is also a compulsary 0% weighted element comprising: the submission of an abstract for a student conference plus a short summary of your work for the lay reader, attendance at the conference to present your poster.
A minimum of 40% in BOTH assessments is required to pass the module.

1. A 5000 word research paper (Learning outcomes 1, 4, 5 and 6) Weighting 70%
2. A short viva voce examination (Learning outcomes 2, 3 and 6) weighting 30%. This will last 10 – 15 minutes.

Additional Assessment Details (including formative feedback / assessment):

The research paper will present the project methodology, data and outcomes in a professional style allowing for their integration within the context of other published studies.

The viva voce examination will focus on the student's rationale for the particular practical approaches that they adopted, any particular practical difficulties encountered and how they circumvented them.

Formative Assessment:
1. Informal tutorials with project supervisors will focus on students' development as professional biologists and their progress with their investigative work. Such discussion will provide continuous feedback to students and help prepare them for the viva voce examination and poster presentation.

2. Students are encouraged to submit a draft of the Introduction section of their research paper to their individual tutors for formative feedback of their writing style prior to the summative submission of the whole paper.

- 2 hours of workshop/lecture to highlight specific logistically important components of the module
- 6 hours of individual supervisory tutorials to provide practical work guidance, to develop practical, data analysis, data presentation and data interpretation skills and to provide feedback and guidance concerning the summative assessments
- 10 hours participation in an end of year capstone student conference event

Specify the number of independent study hours attributed to each type of activity (e.g. reading / assessment preparation). Total hours should equate to Independent Study Hours identified on page 1 of this form.

- 106 hours of indirectly supervised practical work
- 25 hours of tutor guided reading indicated in the lectures and supervisory tutorials
- 75 hours of independent analysis and interpretation of practical findings involving a mixture of data handling activity, self-directed reading and reflective writing
- 70 hours assessment preparation involving a mixture of self-directed reading, note taking and scientific writing including your submission of an abstract.

Barnard, C.J., Gilbert, F.S. and McGregor, P.K. (2011). Asking Questions in Biology (4E). Pearson Education Ltd, Harlow.
Knisely, K. (2013). A Student handbook for Writing in Biology (4E). Sinauer Associates, Inc., Massachusetts.
Jones, A.M, Reed, R. and Weyers, J.D.B. (2016). Practical Skills in Biology (6E). Pearson Education Ltd, Harlow.
Luck, M. (1999). Your Student Research Project. Gower Publishing Ltd, Aldershot.

Networked PCs with the current student image and access to Blackboard.
University Library and the Sciences Learning Resource Centre.
Appropriately equipped laboratory.
Access to appropriate field sites.

Level 4 core modules appropriate to your award.
Level 5 project preparation module appropriate to your award (e.g. BIOL50445, professional practice and placement).