The module is delivered as a blend of DL and face-to-face.

Face to face contact (8 hours) will allow you to consolidate the material covered and demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the material covered.

Independent and Distance Learning Study Hours

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
- 10 hours of on-line discussion with supervisor
- 6 hours reading PowerPoint presentations
- 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).

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
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

There are three pieces of summative assessment for this module.

Component 1: Research Informed Professional Output (5000 words or equivalent) weighted at 70%. (LO 1,4,5,6)

Component 2: Research Poster for Conference presentation (1000 words or equivalent) weighted at 30% (LO 2,3,6)

Component 3: Research linked E-advert (100 words or equivalent) weighted at 0% (LO 5,6)


Component 1 will present your project methodology, data, and outcomes in a professional style allowing for their integration within the context of other published studies, or their implementation within a clinical laboratory setting. The format of the output can be adapted to suit the nature of your project through negotiation with your university and workplace supervisor (for example, research paper, technical options appraisal, clinical guidelines, or research-informed business plan). Further details and examples are given within the module handbook.

Component 2 will summarise your work, including key findings and outcomes, in a format suitable for presentation at a scientific conference. Conference posters are usually landscape orientated and A1 or A0 size. Guidance on how to create a poster in PowerPoint is provided on Blackboard.

Component 3 will take the form of an E advert suitable for linking to a professional event such as GradEx or BiolExpo. It should summarise who you are, what you did, what you found, and should be used as a [professional contact piece.

Within the module you will have opportunities for formative assessment. This will include documented informal tutorials with your academic and workplace supervisors, within which you will focus upon your development as a professional healthcare scientist and the progress of your investigative, analytical, or written work, together with the submission of a draft output for formative feedback on structure and writing style.

The project provides the opportunity for you to draw together the practical experience, knowledge and critical understanding you have acquired from your previous studies, and utilise these to demonstrate your development as a healthcare science practitioner. Your project will be a major piece of independent work, and is viewed as a culmination of your discipline expertise and professionalism.

You are required to study a topic relevant to your practice and informed by a detailed review of current literature. From an idea generated by yourself in discussion with an academic advisor and your workplace supervisor 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.

The key principle in determining the suitability of your project is the presence of independently sourced information that is critically analysed. Traditionally this will involve the generation and evaluation of new data, but could include other examples such as the sourcing, manipulation, and analysis of existing data or the generation and evaluation of new ways of imparting information or providing a service.

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 research-informed professional output that describes and critically evaluates your research project, clearly identifying the strengths and weaknesses, and integrates this within the context of other published studies or current clinical laboratory practice. The nature of the output will be negotiated with your university and workplace supervisors as appropriate the nature of your project (for example, research paper, technical options appraisal, clinical guidelines, or business plan).

• Present a summary of the research project, in poster form, suitable for presentation to peers at a scientific conference.

• 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 within a clinical and research environment.