BI4RP16-Research Project

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 50 [25 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Summer / Autumn / Spring module
Pre-requisites: BI3GP16 MEng Group Project
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Prof Ying Zheng
Email: ying.zheng@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This project is for students studying for a MEng. This module aims to provide the framework for a student to manage a major piece of research project work in a professional manner in his/her subject area:

• to introduce appropriate research skills


• to demonstrate initiative and creativity in applying skill and knowledge and experience gained from previous work in an individual practical, problem solving project


• to further develop generic, project related skills including those of project management, written and verbal communication, and system presentation and demonstration


• to provide the experience of managing a project and delivering a solution to a potential customer/supervisor as realistically as possible in an academic context.

Aims:

This project is for students studying for a MEng. This module aims to provide the framework for a student to manage a major piece of research project work in a professional manner in his/her subject area:

• to introduce appropriate research skills


• to demonstrate initiative and creativity in applying skill and knowledge and experience gained from previous work in an individual practical, problem solving project, and


• to further develop generic, project related skills including those of project management, written and verbal communication, and system presentation and demonstration


• to provide the experience of managing a project and delivering a solution to a potential customer/supervisor as realistically as possible in an academic context.

Assessable learning outcomes:

To embrace the analytical and methodological approach of a professional. Students are set a major research project which they have to plan, design, implement, test, evaluate and present both orally and in written form. By the end of the module, it is expected that the student will be able to:

• independently identify, research and synthesise literature relevant to the problem


• apply relevant techniques to systematically design a solution to a prob lem


• implement and/or build a suitable solution, with systematic test and evaluation


• develop a professional approach to record keeping and log-book maintenance with in turn enhances the students ability to maintain a professional development record


• demonstrate competence in producing professional standard project report


• critically appraise and reflect on their own work


• report effectivelly on what has been acheived and the extend to which the objectives of the project has been reached

Additional outcomes:
Design, develop and test a specified system; project management, interpersonal skills, time management, skills to maintain a professional development record

Outline content:
The final project must be done individually and contain an element of original work.The final project will usually be related to current research activities in the School. Students will plan their research project, carry it out, present it orally in a formal setting, and give a practical demonstration to a panel of academics. Students also submit a CD archive of the project.
Students will be able to express preferences for their choice of final research project.
Arrangement for super vision will normally take the form of a weekly meeting with supervisor, and as part of the formal progress monitoring process, weekly log-book sign off. Full details of the project arrangements, project titles, monitoring, assessment and time table for submission of reports etc is given in a booklet issued to all student late in Part 3, available on Blackboard.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures/seminars/worshops may be given on generic issues, as necessary, depending on subject areas. There is an expectation that, when possible, students attend school seminars in their subject areas. Students will be allocated a project supervisor. There will be regular meetings with academic supervisor. The onus of this module is on independent work, project work and interaction with academic supervisor. Contact will be as a whole class, groups, and individual as necessary. Student will norma lly be expected to spend a least 500 hours on their project work. Selection of project and preparation for the project begins in the Summer term immediately following Part 3 examinations.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	2
Project Supervision	10	10
Guided independent study:	239	239
Total hours by term	251	249
Total hours for module	500

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Report	50
Project output other than dissertation	25
Oral assessment and presentation	25

Summative assessment- Examinations:

N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

• Conduct mark (10%): Project management: PIDs, LogBook, Professional attitude, initiative, work over the year


• SCARP (5% communication skills): SCARP paper, presentation


• Demonstration to pannel of Internal Examiners (20%)


• Final report (50%)


• Innovation/academic challenges (15%)

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres 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 (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:
50%

Reassessment arrangements:
Project. Students are required to contact the module convenor to determine the specified assessment component(s). Submission of the specified assessment component(s) is due by August 31.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 29 March 2022