| Unit name | Extended Research Project Background |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHPHM0018 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Brennan |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience |
| Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
This unit will play a crucial part in helping you to prepare for your extended research project. You will become familiar with the research area by engaging with scientific research papers in consultation with your project supervisor. In addition, you will learn how to analyse and present your data through R coding.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit runs alongside the Extended Research Project Planning unit, where you will be coming up with your research question and designing the experimental protocols. Here you will be informing that process by becoming familiar with the relevant research publications and coding that will help you analyse and present the data that you will gather. These units together will support your Extended Research Project.
An overview of content
The aims of this unit are for you to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the scientific basis for your research project. You will search for, engage with and critically evaluate the current research literature under the guidance of your project supervisor. In addition, you will prepare for data collection by learning how to write and adapt existing R code to support analysis and presentation of data.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
Having completed this unit alongside the Extended Research Project Planning unit, you will be well prepared to interpret the findings of your extended research project in relation to the current literature. You will have gained confidence in having a go at writing and troubleshooting simple R code and adapting existing R code to produce publication-quality figures.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Teaching in this unit will be based on self-directed study. You will be guided in your reading of the research literature by discussions with your supervisor and attendance at lab meetings where available. R coding will be taught in a series of workshops that will introduce you to the concepts and give you the opportunity to put what you have learnt in to practice with support from academics.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
You will be supported in your learning by:
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
This unit is coursework only. You will prepare a 3000 word literature review (80%). In addition, you will use R code to produce appropriate graphical representation of data provided (20%).
When assessment does not go to plan
Assessment deadlines will be given well in advance so that you can manage your time effectively. Extensions may be given in line with University and School policies.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PHPHM0018).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
