Module overview
As part of the one year MSc Biomedical Sciences by Research programme, all students will undertake two, 18-week research projects in different laboratories. This offers students the opportunity to develop a broad range of research skills and to develop a well-rounded understanding of the field. Students will be offered as much choice as possible for the project, with information on project availability being provided by the module lead. Students will be encouraged to develop a wide range of skills in order to gain as much from the programme as possible.
Each student will have a clearly identified supervisor who will provide guidance and support in both the practical and theoretical elements of the project. Students will need to utilise appropriate research techniques to address a clear research question. In addition, students will be expected to develop a good understanding of the published literature within the specific field.
Assessment of the project will be through an oral presentation and a written research report. In addition, students will undertake a viva voce on their project as a formative assessment. This will provide the students with experience in the discussion of their research and its wider implications.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Identify the practical issues involved in carrying out research.
- Differentiate between different types of research methods and apply appropriate research designs to chosen projects.
- Justify the need for carrying out research in the particular area chosen for the project.
- Undertake a viva voce to demonstrate understanding of the project and the wider research field.
- Follow research conventions appropriate to the aims of the study and the research design (e.g research governance, ethics and data protection).
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Use data collection, handling and analysis methods appropriately.
- Perform appropriate data interpretation and presentation.
- Give an oral presentation where you introduce the topic of your research, present your data and place in context with the published literature.
- Plan and undertake a project in a specified area of research with appropriate supervision.
- Submit a written report of research with an element of originality.
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Organise your own activities to achieve a desired outcome within a limited amount of time.
- Direct your own learning and perform independent judgement and critical self-awareness for your work.
- Exercise initiative and personal responsibility.
- Organise your data and present in a logical, coherent fashion to other scientists.
Cognitive Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Critically assess research carried out by others, evaluate its usefulness for your own practice and use it as a starting point for your research.
Syllabus
Students will work with an assigned supervisor to learn and extend their:
a) background knowledge and critical appraisal of the area in which they are working;
b) knowledge of ethical considerations relating to the project;
c) research skills required to carry out a specified project;
d) knowledge of good laboratory practice in conducting research;
e) data collection, handling and analysis skills;
f) data presentation skills in both oral and written formats
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
You will learn the required skills to perform an in depth research project in a specific field of either Nutrition and Metabolism, Infection and Immunity, Respiratory Medicine or Stem cells and Regenerative Medicine utilising a range of learning and teaching methods including:
a) Training/discussion sessions;
b) Research Seminars;
c) Face-to-face theoretical and practical training.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Independent Study | 540 |
| Teaching | 60 |
| Total study time | 600 |
Resources & Reading list
General Resources
Reading materials. You will be provided with initial reading material appropriate for the project by your research project supervisor prior to the commencement of the module. The reading associated with generic transferable skills learned in the Research Skills for Biomedical Science 1 module and optional module will also be applicable to this module. Published review articles and primary research papers will be accessible through the University of Southampton electronic journals collection.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
The assessments for the module provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes. It will demonstrate your ability to plan, perform and present a research project using an evidence-based approach.
Formative assessments:
A) Lab proficiency will assess your overall attendance, engagement, experimental proficiency, research notebook maintenance, professionalism and ability to work alone and as part of a team.
B) A viva voce will demonstrate your understanding of the practical and theoretical aspects of your research project, the implications and future direction of the work, and your knowledge of the wider scientific field.
Summative assessments:
A) Written component - A written research project report will demonstrate your knowledge and appraisal of the relevant literature and show that this has been applied to the design, execution, statistical analysis and reporting of the project.
B) Oral component - An oral presentation will demonstrate your ability to:
1) Relay your research to a scientific audience in a coherent fashion supported by a clear powerpoint presentation,
2) Place your research into context with that already published,
3) Present appropriately analysed data arising from the project,
4) Answer questions raised by peers and scientific audience,
5) Appreciate how the research may be progressed in the future.
Assessment requirements
You must pass the module overall at 50% or above. All elements must be passed, no compensation allowed. Candidates who fail the module at the first attempt will be permitted to resubmit specific elements as supplementary assessments on one occasion only. Candidates who achieve at least 50% overall at the second attempt will be permitted to pass the module and the mark will be capped at 50%.
Candidates who fail the resubmission will not be allowed a repeat.
Formative
This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.
Viva voce
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback: Verbal feedback will be provided
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
Lab proficiency
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback: Written feedback will be provided
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Research project Report | 80% |
| Oral presentation | 20% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Oral presentation | 20% |
| Research project Report | 80% |