| Unit name | Biomedical Sciences Research Skills |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PANM30005 |
| Credit points | 40 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Jim Spencer |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
N/A |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
4 x 20cp level H/6 lecture units appropriate for the Pathway on the Biomedical Sciences programme (see the Programme Specification). |
| Units you may not take alongside this one | |
| School/department | School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine |
| Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
The unit aims to allow students to develop the skills necessary to carry out a research project in the field of biomedical sciences. They will read, analyse and interpret scientific data presented in the literature.
Students will be able to evaluate and discuss the key research papers underlying their project. Students doing experimental projects will learn data analysis skills and to disseminate their results in a written dissertation and by giving a research talk. All students will learn to assess the scientific literature and will evaluate whether appropriate conclusions have been drawn.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit will build upon teaching in years one and two and requires an application of core academic knowledge. It also provides an opportunity to refine and exercise a highly transferable set of skills including the ability to communicate in writing and orally; be self-reliant and organise time effectively; work as a group member where appropriate; take appropriate decisions when needed; use an appropriate level of numeracy and IT skills; plan, execute and interpret the results of experimental work; manage a research project.
An overview of content
Students will carry out an experimental, non-experimental, or a school-based education research project in an area of current interest in biomedical sciences. The Introduction to the project dissertations will require a review of the relevant primary scientific literature.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit.
Students will develop the ability to reason; analyse and interpret data; identify and solve problems; exercise independence of mind; form and defend scientific judgements.
Learning Outcomes
Students will be supported throughout their projects by their project supervisors.
Specific instruction on data and literature interpretation will be given within the co-requisite level H/6 units.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative)
Formative feedback will be provided on drafts of the Introduction and Results or Analysis sections of your dissertation.
Students will give a short introductory talk of 10 minutes with, 5 minutes for questions to their personal tutor and peers. This follows the format of the summative oral presentation. Feedback on your presentation will be provided by the personal tutor in the format used for the summative assessment.
Tasks 'which count towards your unit mark (summative)
Project
The assessed components will be the project dissertation and a research talk:
The Supervisor mark is for originality and effort.
All students will give a 10 minute oral presentation on their project, with five minutes for questions, which will be summatively assessed and formative feedback will be provided. The presentation counts 10% towards the unit mark.
The Level H/6 Project is marked by the Supervisor and moderated by an independent academic.
To earn credit for this unit you must normally have made a reasonable attempt at each of the components of the unit assessment. A reasonable attempt requires a student to have undertaken the assessment activity and engaged with its purpose in the academic judgement of the relevant Unit Director, or nominee.
When an assessment does not go to plan.
If a student is unable to give their talk as a first attempt, as a result of exceptional circumstances or self-certification we would normally enable them to give an individual talk and the opportunity to answer questions from at least one member of staff.
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. PANM30005).
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.
