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XX50226: Preparation for research project

[Page last updated: 03 August 2022]

Academic Year: 2022/23
Owning Department/School: Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology
Credits: 12 [equivalent to 24 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 240
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Academic Year
Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Literature review 1 (CW 20%)
  • Literature review 2 (CW 35%)
  • Research Proposal (CW 15%)
  • Critical Analysis (CW 20%)
  • Statistics MCQ (CW 10%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: After studying this unit, students should be able to:
* Plan, prepare, and write extended literature reviews, making use of appropriate databases (e.g. SciFinder, Web of Knowledge)
* Critique research papers in drug discovery science
* Present research work in both written and oral formats and place a research project in the context of other researchers' work
* Calculate basic statistical distributions and summarise data using statistical analysis
* Construct a research proposal that will the starting point for their Masters research project.

Aims: To provide students with the core skills necessary for preparing and carrying out a research project in drug discovery science. To allow students to develop their ability to communicate scientific data in both written and oral form.

Skills: Research Methods (T, F, A), Information handling & retrieval (T, F, A), Numeracy (F, A), Problem solving (T, F, A), Scientific writing (F, A), Independent working (F), Oral communication (F)

Content: The student will write two literature reviews on topics selected in conjunction with a supervising member of staff, drawing on a range of sources. The second literature survey will form the background for the Masters research project. The student will be able to prepare a short research proposal as the starting point for the Masters Research Project, including objectives, materials and methods and techniques. The student will carry out a critical analysis of 2 research papers and will present a concise summary of 1 in an oral presentation. Students will be able to perform basic descriptive and inferential statistical analysis using statistical software.

Programme availability:

XX50226 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology

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.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.