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Course & Unit Catalogues


SL52133: Research skills and scientific communication

[Page last updated: 16 August 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Life Sciences
Credits: 10 [equivalent to 20 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 200
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Academic Year
Assessment Summary: CWDI 35%, CWOI 20%, CWRI 35%, CWSI 10%
Assessment Detail:
  • Statistics assessment (CWSI 10%)
  • Literature review 1 (CWRI 20%)
  • Presentation of research paper (CWOI 20%)
  • Literature review 2 (CWDI 35%)
  • Research proposal (CWRI 15%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of the unit, the student should be able to:

Plan, prepare, and write extended literature reviews, making use of appropriate databases (e.g., SciFinder, Web of Knowledge).

Critically evaluate 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.

Perform basic statistical calculations and summarise data using statistical analysis.

Construct a research proposal that will be the starting point for their Masters research project.


Synopsis: In this unit you will develop the core skills that are required to prepare and carry out a research project in drug discovery science. You will develop your ability to critically evaluate scientific literature and to communicate scientific data in both written and oral form.

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 also 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 study basic descriptive and inferential statistical analysis and will be able to perform such analyses using statistical software.

Course availability:

SL52133 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Life Sciences

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses 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.