BI3PROA-Research Project - Ecology and Evolution 40 Credit (A)

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Summer / Autumn / Spring module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Pre-requisites: Part 2 Ecology, Zoology or Biological Sciences programmes
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: BI3PROB Research Project - Biomolecular 40 Credit (B) and BI3PROC Research Project - Ecology and Evolution 20 Credit (C) and BI3PROD Research Project - Biomolecular 20 Credit (D)
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Renee Lee
Email: r.b.y.lee@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The aim of project work is to provide the student with an experience of biological research through the design and execution of an individual project.

Aims:
The aim of project work is to provide the student with an experience of biological research through the design and execution of an individual project.

Assessable learning outcomes:
Assessable outcomes
At the end of this module students will be able to:
􀀕 formulate and critically assess a scientific argument based on data
􀀕 design a scientific project in consultation with others and carry out a programme of research, responding to the changing circumstances as they arise
􀀕 draw on knowledge and data to set the research in context and to evaluate its contribution to biology
􀀕 prepare a full report of the project in the form of a scientific pape r.

Additional outcomes:
Students will better appreciate the structure of scientific research and its possible career opportunities by taking part.

Outline content:
A handbook with details of the School's research areas and an outline of the projects available in each area will be made available to students in the Spring Term of Part 2. Students will nominate 3 of these research areas and every effort will be made to allocate one of these to each student. The students allocated to each area will meet the members of staff within that area of research for a detailed description of the projects available and the allocation of these to individual students: deta ils of Phase 1 of the project and timing of the project will be made available at this meeting. As part of this, students will plan their project work, including identifying the hypothesis to be tested. In week 6 of the Spring Term students will present their work in the form of an assessed poster ahead of the production of their final thesis. The research will normally be carried out for 200 hours over ten weeks.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
An initial lecture session will describe the aims and methods of the project scheme. Most of the learning will be self-directed with the exception of occasional tutorial sessions with the project supervisor.