FB3PFB-Research Project

Module Provider: Food and Nutritional Sciences
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Prof Gunter Kuhnle
Email: g.g.kuhnle@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This module is designed to provide a research experience to the student by completing either a laboratory-based or a theoretical research project. Students will receive guidance on fundamental research methods prior the start of their project.

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

The module will provide students with the skills required to effectively undertake research in food and nutritional sciences. This will include guidance on the preliminary development of a research idea, the collection and assessment of supporting literature, the planning of experiments, the statistical analysis of experimental data and the communication of scientific reports.

Assessable learning outcomes:
At the end of this module students will be able to:
£ to develop practical skills and competencies necessary to carry out research in food and nutritional sciences
£ to read and evaluate scientific publications in food and nutritional sciences
£ formulate and critically evaluate a scientific argument based on experimental data
£ design and carry out a scientific project in consultation with others, responding to any changing circumstances that may arise
£ to understand basic statistics and their application on the evaluation of experimental data
£ draw on knowledge and data to set the research in context and to evaluate its contribution to food or biotechnology
£ report development of the project and its outcomes in the form of a report

Additional outcomes:
Students will be better able to appreciate the structure of scientific research and potential career opportunities by taking part.

Outline content:
Students will select a project and develop and perform it under the supervision of a member of academic staff. Students are first required to attend a workshop on Scientific Methodology organised at the beginning of Autumn term. They will search the literature relevant to their project and plan their project work. They will then perform their research project and write a summary report.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lecture and workshop sessions will be used at the beginning of Autumn term to teach Scientific Methodology. Most of the learning will then be self-directed with the exception of occasional tutorial sessions with the supervisor.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	11
Tutorials	14
Project Supervision	10	10
Guided independent study:	165	190
Total hours by term	200	200
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	10
Report	70
Oral assessment and presentation	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

• Project outline (10%) - TW3 (Autumn Term)


• Supervisor’s report (10%) - last Friday of Spring term


• Project report (60%) -  last Friday of Spring term


• Mid-project presentation (10%) - TW1 (Spring Term)


• Viva voce (10%) - Summer Term

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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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:
overall mark of 40%

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-submission of research project

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding:  A dissertation of no more than 7,000 words with a bibliography, printed at 12font, double line spacing, double-sided will amount to 70 pages at a cost of £3.50. Students should expect to pay in the region of £ 20 for 2 bound copies of their final project report.

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 22 September 2022