BIMRES: Research Project

Module code: BIMRES

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 100

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Full year

Module convenor: Dr Chris Foster, email: c.w.foster@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Sofia Gripenberg, email: s.gripenberg@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE BIMETID (Compulsory)

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to provide students with an opportunity to carry out a field, laboratory or literature-based research project.  

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Devise research questions or hypotheses concerning insects and design a suitable programme of research
2. Collect and manage a high quality dataset using appropriate research techniques
3. Use appropriate analytical procedures to manipulate and to statistically analyse data collected.
4. Communicate the results of the research project by presenting material in a suitable format for submission to a scientific journal   

Module content

The module provides students with the opportunity to carry out independent research with guidance from the module conveners. The research can be carried out in the field, laboratory, at the university or with an external partner. Students will be expected to design and carry out research resulting in the collection of a high calibre data set suitable for suitable statistical analysis. The final submission for assessment will be judged against suitability for submission to a scientific journal for publication as well content. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module consists of self-guided study but with guidance from the module conveners, especially during the early stages of project design and development, and towards the end when advice on data analysis might be required. 

Study hours

At least 10 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs