Access to suitable laboratories and equipment.
Access to computing facilities and library.

Ruxton & Colgrave, 2010. Experimental Design for the Life Sciences. Oxford

Gilbert, Gilbert & McGregor (2007) Asking Questions in Biology: A Guide to Hypothesis Testing, Experimental Design and Presentation in Practical Work and Research Projects. Benjamin Cummings

Students themselves, under the guidance of academic tutor, will identify additional (principally) primary literature.

Workshops - 10 x 2 hours
Individual tutorials with Advisor - 20 hours

560h of literature research, data collection, analysis and paper preparation

100% - Maximum 10,000 word project dissertation written in the style of a research paper (exact journal style to be used agreed with the supervisor) to include a reflective appendix [LO 1 to 5]

0% A project plan including a brief project rationale and detailing all aspects of the project design, methodology and plan including appropriate ethics and risk assessment considerations.

Additional Assessment Details (including formative feedback / assessment:)
The taught sessions will provide the understanding and skills a student needs to apply for successful completion of the assessment

- You will give a presentation in September following your research project fieldwork to staff and new students and will be given constructive feedback

- Project advisor will provide formative feedback via tutorial discussions and submission of sections of the dissertation prior to final submission.

To have satisfactorily studied at PgD level

Preceding commencement of the project a number of "taught" sessions will explore the underpinning research practitioner skills needed to successfully design and implement an M-level research project within a science based discipline.

The following themes will underpin the "taught" sessions to include:
- Scientific questioning, hypothesis framing and experimental design within an appropriate ethical framework and with appropriate Health and Safety considerations.
- Techniques for information gathering, evaluation and use.
- Numerical data handling and analysis including selection of appropriate statistical treatments.
- Scientific writing and the presentation of data in appropriate formats.

The topic of the project will be discussed with, and agreed by you in consultation with your university advisor. Your project will be compatible with your academic and career aspirations and will be developed under the guidance of an assigned academic tutor.

The work can be carried out in partnership with an external organisation, inside or outside the UK, subject to supervisor approval.