module specification

This module will enable students to demonstrate the skills necessary to carry out a scientific programme requiring research.  It will allow students to demonstrate the final development of their subject knowledge, skills and understanding through extended research based on literature/meta-analysis of databases. This research will lead to the presentation of a detailed written report.
This module aims to encourage the student to reflect and build upon their subject knowledge and expertise by means of a specific investigation requiring significant research; develop the skills necessary to plan, carry out, analyse and report upon the results of an analytical programme on a scientific topic; allow the student to demonstrate that s/he has achieved a high level of personal development through working  independently with the minimum necessary supervision; allow the student to demonstrate their understanding and application of safe and considerate working practices. This module will also provide students with the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of some personal responsibility; decision making in complex and unpredictable contexts; and the learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature. In addition the module will also encourage students to develop professional work-related learning skills through the competencies skills sessions which have been developed to map to and are responsive to employers requirements.

Pre-requisites - Completion of level 4 and two level 5 modules
Co-requisites – registered for remaining level 5 module

Students will reflect upon their scientific background and intended academic outcome in choosing the subject for their project. All students will carry out relevant case-studies and a project, within an area of staff expertise in the School of Human Sciences. Although students are expected to work independently throughout most of the project, the initial stage will be under direct supervision as they attain sufficient skills and knowledge to succeed in the later stages. The project will allow students to apply their scientific knowledge and research skills to the design and execution of a relevant professional subject-based dissertation or meta-analysis. Students are provided with the opportunity to develop employability skills whilst working on an independent research project. Work-related learning skills will be demonstrated and assessed by completion of portfolio of a reflective graduate statement and CV together with a formal dissertation based on their research project

Learning Outcomes LO1 - LO5

Students will be guided in the use of directed reading and other learning resources in order to seek, handle and interpret information. In the written report, they will be required to produce a synthesis of their own and published findings. Students will be guided through a period where they select and gain the necessary skills and knowledge to undertake their research topic. Then, students will work as individuals on the execution of their projects.  They will be encouraged to think critically about their findings and, where appropriate, to provide solutions through the design of related experiments or alternative approaches to research.
Students will be given the opportunity to develop their presentational and professional self-reflective skills to enable them to further enhance personal, career and academic development and identify future skill and knowledge development needs.

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
1. Analyse appropriate background information on a particular scientific topic and use this to plan a programme of work directed to a specific aim.
2. Establish a plan of work, then evaluate and modify it as necessary in response to analysis of findings.
3. Reflect upon the outcomes of the work and, using scientific creativity, propose additional research desirable to further clarify the area, and critically reflect upon how the experience relates to their personal, career and academic development and identify future skill and knowledge development needs. 
4. Present a written report of the project in an appropriate scientific form that analyses and evaluates the work
5. Summarise their skills development through recording these and updating their reflective personal statement, keeping a logbook that records the developmental aspects and results of their project and producing  a CV and letter of application.

The students are assessed by their supervisor on a continual basis by means of the interim report (10% of overall mark). This course work component will be used to provide formative feedback and summative assessment.
Their summative assessment also includes the production of a research/work-related logbook to be included in their portfolio, taking into account the student’s ability as a researcher, the ability to plan and reflect upon his/her work, and the general level of industry and initiative. The final report which contains (60% of overall mark) is assessed independently by at least two members of staff, excluding the project supervisor. In awarding a mark the examiner takes into account the achievement of the student in terms of the results obtained, the clarity of presentation and layout, and the standard of the discussion including the students consideration of the wider context of the investigation. The PDP/work-related learning element of the project will be asessed by means of the portfolio through the self-reflective graduation statement, CV and letter of application for a relevant job (10%) as well as by means of completion of employer liasion board agreed competencies (where the development of specific technical skills is recorded).

To pass the module, students need to achieve a minimum aggregate mark of 40%. There will be an attendance requirement for the practical sessions. If the module is passed on reassessment, then the maximum mark awarded will be 40%.

Assessment Learning Outcome
Interim report 1,2,3,4,5
Portfolio including /statement/CV/lettter of application 1,2,3,5
Final report 1,2,4,5

Barras, R (2002). Scientists Must  Write. A Guide to Better Writing for Scientists, Engineers and Students (Second Edition). Routledge Ltd.
Davis, M.  (2005).  Scientific Papers and Presentations. 2nd edition. Academic Press.
Durrant A, Rhodes G, Young D. (2011) Getting started with university-level work based learning, 2nd edition, Libri Publishing, London (Core)
Holmes, D; Moody,P and Dine, D (2006). Research Methods for the Biosciences. Oxford University Press.
Moon J. (2004) A Handbook of reflective and experiential learning: theory and practice Routledge. London
Trought F. (2012) Brilliant employability skills. Prentice Hall. Harlow
Van Emden (2001) Effective Communication for Science and Technology. Palgrave.