BIMBC1-Research Planning and Project Management

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Phillip Dash
Email: p.r.dash@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This module will teach students how to conduct a successful research project at postgraduate level. It will enable students to be able to identify a research question and then design an experimental plan to answer that question.

Aims:
To enable students to plan and execute research projects successfully.

Assessable learning outcomes:
At the end of the module students should have identified, through analysis of the literature and following discussion with academics, a suitable research project to pursue. Students will be able to understand the background to their project and design an experimental plan to successfully answer their research question.

Additional outcomes:
Students will develop writing and critical analysis skills through the writing of the grant application.

Outline content:
This module will cover a number of topics of importance to planning a research project, starting with the identification of a research question. All academic staff in the biomedical sciences section of the School of Biological Sciences (around 20 staff) will give a seminar on their research area to give students an idea of the range of areas they will be able to research. Students will select three topics of interest and, in collaboration with the appropriate members of academic staff, will write a literature review that identifies a novel research question or hypothesis.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
This module will primarily be delivered by attendance at seminars. Additionally individual study will be required to review the literature and develop the research plan.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	20
Guided independent study:	80
Total hours by term	100
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Report	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 'Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes', which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
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:
50%

Reassessment arrangements:
A reassessment essay title will be provided by the module convenor.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 30 March 2023