This module is a core module for Level 6 Pharmaceutical Science, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences top up and Pharmaceutical Studies students and an option module for Forensic Science students. The module provides you with an opportunity to undertake a scientific project and develop skills required to plan a project, develop a methodology, analyse the data and disseminate the results. Two types of projects are offered to you: an experimental or a non-experimental project. The end point is the same in both cases: review and critical evaluation of data generated from laboratory experiments or collected from published works.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Lectures on various aspects of research methodology including planning and preparatory work, advanced laboratory skills/data sourcing/data analysis (as relevant) and dissemination of results (both orally and through scientific reports) will be given at the beginning of the module or where appropriate during the year. Dedicated workshops for the use of relevant software will also be provided. Where relevant, emphasis is placed upon safety assessment of practical work and ethical considerations of conducting research. Sessions on completing a library workbook assignment, designed to expose students to a variety of information sources and techniques for retrieving information, will also be held. Students undertake individual research projects under the guidance of academic members of staff to demonstrate the acquisition of scientific and organisational skills. The results of research are presented by the students in a variety of formats to test written, presentational and communication skills.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Lecture/Workshop 15h Laboratory practicals 120 h Computer-aided learning 10 h Meeting with supervisor: 20 h | 165 |
| Guided independent study | Self-directed learning | 135 |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
The assessment of the learning outcomes in this module is achieved through a variety of methods. The main coursework element of assessment is the final report whch is worth
60% of the final mark. Through this, both the ability to review the main literature on the project topic as well as the ability to analyse the data collected will be assessed. Students will have to process the report electronically so that relevant ICT skills will also be tested. Other formative and summative assessments through the year will feed forwards into this. For example, the ability to browse literature sources will be formatively assessed via a library assignment set in collaboration with the LRC at Kingston University.
The other coursework element of assessment is the log book, which will be used by students to record their progress as well as meetings with their supervisors and will be used to assess their ability to progress in the project and to work independently. This is also common practice in scientific employment and the log book mark is worth 20% of the final module mark.
Skills necessary to plan a project will be tested through the production of a project proposal to be completed before undertaking the project and will be formatively assessed. This will be compulsory in order to be allowed to start on the project. Feedback from both the library assignment and the project proposal will feed into the interim report. The interim report is formatively assessed and is to be handed in at the end of the first semester. This and the related feedback will prepare students for the final report.
A practical exam portfolio (20% of the module mark) consisting of both an oral presentation and a poster presentation (each worth 10% of the module mark) will also serve to develop and test oral communication skills. These are common activities for scientific communication and will serve to develop critical skills for future employment.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1) Organise, plan and develop an area of research after discussion with project supervisors. | This learning outcome will be formatively assessed with the project proposal. Examples and feedbacks on ideas will be discussed during a dedicated session. A draft proposal should be submitted to the supervisor before the deadline in order to provide an opportunity for feedback and project development. |
| 2) Review up to date advances from the primary literature and other relevant sources. | This will be formatively assessed with the project proposal and summatively assessed through the final report since the engagement with recent literature will constitute a large section of both assessments. Supervisory feedback on draft assessments (both for the proposal and the report) will feed forward into this assessment. |
| 3) Use relevant ICT resources competently (eg.: browse through relevant on-line scientific databases; use appropriate software for chemical drawing, molecular modelling or data processing). | The library assignment (formative), the final report, the poster and the oral presentation (summative) all have embedded elements of this learning outcome. Indeed, a section in the marking scheme of these assessments is dedicated to the use of ICT resources. Online material, as well as feedback on draft (and previous assessments where relevant) will feed forward into these assessments. |
| 4) Prepare a structured, critical evaluation of a research topic and the data collected in the form of a written report. | This will be summatively assessed with the final report. Feedback from the supervisor on both the draft report as well as the project proposal will feed forward into this assessment. |
| 5) Present and disseminate their results to a scientific audience through written and spoken communication. | This will be summatively assessed with the Oral presentation and the Poster presentation. Online self study material will be provided. |
| 6) Demonstrate an ability to work independently and to take informed decisions on the progress of the project. | The log book, including evidence of discussion and engagement with supervisor, will be used to assess this learning outcome. Feedback will be given throughout the year by the supervisor and, where appropriate, the module leader. |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio of oral and poster presentations | Practical exam | 20% |
| Log book | Coursework | 20% |
| Report (8000 words) | Coursework | 60% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS a requirement that any element of assessment is passed in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
Robson, C. (2007) How to do a research project: a guide for undergraduate students Blackwell Pub., ISBN: 1405114908
Briscoe, M. H. (1995) Preparing Scientific Illustrations: a Guide to Better Posters, Presentations, and Publications. Springer, ISBN: 0387945814
Wisker, G. (2009), The Undergraduate Research Handbook, Palgrave Macmillan, ISBN: 0230520979
Weyers, J., (2009), How to Write Dissertations and Project Reports, Prentice Hall, ISBN: 0273726935
More will be used as appropriate and depending upon the research topic chosen.
These should also include papers form the literature for example: New scientist, Lancet, Science, Nature, Education in Chemistry, New England Journal of Medicine, News in Physiological Sciences, Pharmacological Reviews, and all the major journals from the American Chemical Society and the Royal Society of Chemistry.