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BIOL4071: BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH PROJECT (S)

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Type	Tied
Level	4
Credits	20
Availability	Available in 2024/2025
Module Cap
Location	Durham
Department	Biosciences

Prerequisites

Satisfactory completion of level 3 of the Biology and Physics MSci degree (FGC0).

Corequisites

Workshop MBiol (BIOL4111), Project (PHYS4213), Foundations of Physics 4B (PHYS4261).

Excluded Combinations of Modules

None.

Aims

To carry out a study of research in a topic associated with biological and physical sciences using the full resources of the scientific literature.
To present the results of the study in the form of a critical review article and poster.

Content

Self-directed study.
Workshops and tutorials in data gathering techniques and literature databases, and presentation techniques.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

Knowledge and understanding of a selected topic in biological and physical sciences to the limits of existing research.
Knowledge of communication of scientific information in both written and poster forms.

Subject-specific Skills:

To be able to access and evaluate information relevant to biological sciences from a variety of sources, and to prepare a written report on a specific topic that is organised and critical, and takes account of current developments in research in the field to the limits of existing knowledge
To be able to present the results of literature-based research in a form accessible to an audience of peers, in the form of a poster.

Key Skills:

Literacy, in being able to consult and extract information from printed and on-line archives.
Communication skills, in presenting report and poster.
IT skills, in use of online data bases.
Self-motivation, in self-guided learning, independent work on report and poster.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Literature review: a comprehensive review of scientific literature on a specific topic, agreed between student and supervisor. The student uses the resources of information databases to produce a critical account of the topic, with an emphasis on current research, and the context in which it is taking place. The review will be expected to extend to the limits of current knowledge in the chosen topic, and include analysis of prospects for future research. Assessment is based on the review itself, and a poster presentation derived from it.
Workshops and tutorials; large and small group teaching on background generic topics for literature review.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Duration	Total	Monitored
Tutorials and workshops	8	1 hour	8	Yes
Preperation and reading			192
Total			200

Summative Assessment

Component: Continuous Assessment		Component Weighting: 100%
Element	Length / Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Poster		20	No
Literature Review		80	No

Formative Assessment

None.

More information

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