Type of module:

Summary module description:

This laboratory research-focused module provides students with the opportunity to take the lead on a research topic. The module is made up of two main components: 1) development of practical research and enquiry skills and 2) a research project assessed by a project write-up, project performance, a poster session and a final project viva.

Aims:

The module will further develop students’ ability to perform research in a laboratory setting. Students will undertake an original research project in an area of relevance to pharmacology through the design and execution of an individual project, under the direction of an academic supervisor.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students will:

1. On the basis of current research literature and with individual support from an academic supervisor, construct a hypothesis or a research question and then carry out a research project to test that hypothesis or to answer that research question.

2. Prepare a report of the project in the form of a research paper demonstrating comprehensive understanding and critical interpretation of their methodologies and data to set the research in c ontext.

3. Present their research findings in the form of a poster, as well as in an oral examination.

Additional outcomes:

1. Students will provide constructive feedback to peers on their research and presentation.

2. Students will demonstrate independent learning skills through use of online resources that provide the skills needed to complete their project.

3. Students will be required to take account of aspects relating to health and safety at all times during their project.

Outline content:

Module topics:

Research Projects: Students are provided with individual research projects covering a variety of pharmacology-related topics and will develop a research question. Students will prepare an Outline Proposal for approval by their supervisor. Students are expected to record meetings with their supervisor and ensure timely progress during the project design phase and to formalise meetings with their supervisor both before and during the practical period for the project. Each meeting, training point or progress indicator will be signed and dated by the supervisor (if provided by the student). Students will attend two meetings with their supervisor prior to the project work beginning (the first to be conducted in the previous summer term after allocation of projects) and one meeting where the supervisor should attend for the Outline Proposal to be signed off. During the project work period, students will formally attend weekly meetings (i f required) with their supervisors.

Poster Conference: The project work will take place over a 10-week period (Autumn term) with a poster conference organised in the spring term. Assessment of the poster will be by 3rd and 4th markers. The poster can either be printed out as A1 (at the student’s expense) or as a series of A4 sheets. Finally, students will be assessed by their supervisor and another academic (different from the 3rd and 4th markers for the poster) during a short viva to be held after the summer exam period has finished.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Teaching is provided in the form of one-to-one and/or group supervision. Students are provided with training a laboratory setting. Students working the laboratory are trained in laboratory safety by the School Health and Safety Officer (additional building-specific training is also provided, if required). Students are provided with a formal 1 h meeting to discuss feedback on their draft reports and posters to help them understand the feedback and improve the quality of their written work and poster. Students are provided with examples of posters via Blackboard.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Total hours by term
Total hours for module

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Report	60
Project output other than dissertation	20
Oral assessment and presentation	10
Practical skills assessment	10

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1 poster presentation:  in week 25

1 viva: after final written exam (usually week 38/39)

Formative assessment methods:

Students are provided with an opportunity for a weekly meeting during the autumn term. In addition, they are provided with a formal 1 h meeting to discuss feedback on their draft reports and posters.

Penalties for late submission:

The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

The student must obtain an overall module mark of 40%.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-examination by written dissertation

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 4 April 2020