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BB30259: Research design and project preparation

[Page last updated: 02 August 2022]

Academic Year: 2022/23
Owning Department/School: Department of Biology & Biochemistry
Credits: 12 [equivalent to 24 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 240
Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Period:
Academic Year
Assessment Summary: CW100
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Assessment detail for this unit will be available shortly.
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: After completing this unit, students should be able
* To formulate specific questions that can be answered by research, possibly by framing them as testable hypotheses.
* To design experimental plans that address specific questions.
* To recognise issues around resources, time and other limitations encountered by most research projects.
* To recognise both strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
* To research and analyse the ethical issues relating to the research proposal
* To communicate the research to an audience on non-experts.

Aims: The unit aims to provide students with skills necessary for preparing a year-long research project proposal, taking into account the ethical issues involved in conducting bioscience research. Ii also aims to develop skills in communicating science to a non-expert audience.

Skills: Research methods (T,F,A), Numeracy (F, A), Problem solving (T, F, A), Scientific writing (F, A), Independent working (F).

Content: Principles of research project design, research methods, analysis, project management, predicting outcomes, resource planning and timelines of deliverables through a Gantt chart.
5 key challenges in bioscience and health policy identified by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics,
Principles of communicating scientific research to the public (tips and techniques, through guest lectures from experts).

Programme availability:

BB30259 is a Designated Essential Unit on the following programmes:

Department of Biology & Biochemistry

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2022/23 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2023/24 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2022/23.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
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