Appropriate, largely primary, literature will be dependent on the Project topic.

Access to suitable laboratory and equipment during the scheduled period of study. Access to computing facilities and library for literature searching and dissertation writing.

You will plan and execute a programme of investigative practical work, analyse the data you thus obtain and write a clear concise and informative dissertation presenting your findings in the context of other published studies.

Due to the varied nature of MSC Molecular Biology Projects, the following should serve as a guide to the management of student learning by supervisors. A timetabled series of meetings will be arranged between the student and supervisor. Dependent on the circumstances the meetings may be either in person or by telephone or e-mail. These meetings should include a review of project progress, problems and results/data, but may also be used, if appropriate, to schedule specialist training, liaison with collaborators and meetings with workplace supervisors. The regularity of these meetings should be governed by the time course of the research work and by mutual agreement of all involved parties.

The topic of the project will be discussed with, and agreed by, the student in consultation with their university supervisor. Some examples of suitable topics are:
A comparison of immunocytochemistry and quantitative RT-PCR for the detection of the expression of the fragile histidine triad gene
Quantification by real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) of the BCL-2 gene in cisplatin sensitive and resistant small cell lung cancer cell lines
The detection of a wheat germ glutenin gene in wheat-maize mixture using PCR-ELISA.
The phylogeny of the genus Conidiobolus as inferred from restriction fragment polymorphism of enzymatically amplified nuclear small subunit ribosomal DNA.
Mutation of the HXT1 gene with hydroxulamine in order to gain postassium ion transport function in trk1/trk2 deleted strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
The association between colicin production and the pathogenicity of septacaemic strains of Eschericia coli.
A comparison of antibiotic resistance plasmids in Salmonella species of porcine and human origin.
The effect of retinoids on adhesion of transformed mouse fibroblasts in vitro.
Trinucleotide microsatellite loci for a social wasp Vespula vulgaris.
Characterisation of beta-lactaminases in E. coli and other bacteria in the intestinal flora of calves.
Mutation detection within the mitochondrial genome using denaturing high performance liquid chromatography.

For students in relevant employment, projects may be carried out in their place of work subject to discussions and written agreement between the employer and the university. Other students may undertake university-based projects. Within either type of project shorter 'placements' in specialised facilities may be included for specialised training. These will be subject to written agreement between the collaborating parties. Details of overall project management arrangements are provided in the student handbooks. For full time students the module normally occupies a minimum of 15 weeks Interim progress reports, prepared by the student researcher, form an integral part of the project. They both enable formative feedback and monitor progress on a regular basis. Students will be fully advised of submission deadlines at the start of their project.

There are three pieces of summative assessment. A PROJECT PLAN weighted at 0% to assess learning outcomes 1 & 2. A VIVA approx 30 minutes to assess learning outcomes 2, 4, and 6 weighted at 0%. A DISSERTATION length 20000 WORDS to assess learning outcomes 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 weighted at 100%.
Additional Assessment Details:
The project plan is a compulsory part of the project which students have to pass before proceeding to undertake the project. Students referred in this component of the module will not be allowed to proceed to the practical work until a satisfactory level has been achieved on referral. The viva (viva voce examination) is a compulsory part of the project and students are unable to complete the module without having completed and passed the viva. It will be conducted by the project supervisor in the presence of a second member of academic staff using a conference telephone call, video conferencing or in person as is appropriate. It will take place following the submission of a complete draft version of the student's dissertation on a suitably negotiated date. The outcome of the viva will be used to check the probity of the dissertation and will also provide additional formative feedback to the student at a critical time in their writing. The viva questions and feedback will be informed by the dissertation marking criteria.
There are two possible outcomes to the viva:
(i) A pass in the viva will result in the student being permitted to submit the final version of their dissertation prior to the dissertation submission deadline
(ii) A deferred decision on the viva will result in a deferred decision on the outcome of the module. Reasons for a deferred decision could include, for example, non-availability of the student or draft dissertation, suspicion of academic dishonesty etc.

A research project reflecting your area of interest wherever possible. Projects will be designed in consultation with a university-based supervisor and can be conducted either at your place of work or here at Staffordshire University.