BIOL4080C: Research Project

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• To provide students hands-on laboratory experience.
• To teach confidence in equipment handling and configuration skills of basic laboratory instruments.
• To develop and sustain interest in Plant Biotechnology research.
• To develop skills in design of experiments and project planning.
• To develop the abilities to undergo long in-depth experiments.
• To exposure to experimental research methods, time and project management.
• To provide students a framework to develop their own hypothesis and investigate them via experimental research

• Carry out a 6-month research project that aligns with student interest in Plant Biotechnology
• Participation in a research team
• Training in basic laboratory experimental equipment and techniques
• Training in project-specific experimental equipment and techniques
• Direct interaction with active-research supervisor
• Data analysis and presentation in periodic lab-meetings
• Attendance to research team group presentations and discussions

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• Deep understanding of the research techniques used in a plant biotechnology laboratory.
• Understand fundamental molecular biology and physiological principles.
• Use of relevant molecular biology approaches. E.g. CRISPr technology for the edition of plant genomes.
• Understand the strategies used for the investigation in Plant biotechnology.
• In depth knowledge of scientific literature in the area of Plant biotechnology

Subject-specific Skills:

• Ability to undergo molecular biology approaches (DNA RNA Protein)
• Ability to design plant biotechnology experiments
• Ability to analyse and generate conclusions based on the results obtained in an investigation.
• Develop technical reporting skills, mainly through lab-book and lab meetings
• Integrate information from plant biotechnology specific literature

Key Skills:

• Develop experimental design skills, project planning and independence in the laboratory environment
• Develop communication skills with a supervisor
• Develop Problem solving skills
• Develop Group working skills. Communication, address questions to peers and collegues.
• Hypothesis building
• Time management skills
• Budget management skills
• Integration of information

• The module comprises a 6-month experimental research investigation carried out under the direct supervision of a research-active Durham academic responsible for students mentorship and training.
• The student is expected to actively participate in the laboratory environment (lab meetings, journal clubs, etc.) and to undertake his/her project-specific research activities in a daily basis and in coordination with the research supervisor.
• The student should report the progress of the research in a lab-book. Research progress and laboratory experience will be communicated every two months to the Plant Biotechnology research committee which will provide feedback to student and supervisor. By doing this, the department safeguards student supervision and delivery of research objectives.
• To assess the students learning and skills, the student will submit a written thesis with the following sections: Introduction to research topic, Objectives, Material and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, Bibliography. The student will describe in a 15min oral presentation, his/her research results in the MSc Plant Biotechnology and Enterprise conference.
• Lab-book, written thesis, oral presentation and supervisor feedback will be the components used for the evaluation of the students performance on this module

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