BIMRPS: Research Project (SISS)

Module code: BIMRPS

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 60

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Summer (vacation) semester

Module convenor: Dr Alastair Culham, email: a.culham@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

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 provides the student with the opportunity to carry out some original research into some aspect of ecology and conservation, including literature review and assessment of methodology. To formulate questions that can be answered through an appropriate scientific methodology. To report and discuss results in a standard form suitable for scientific publication. 

Aims: 

• To become experienced in the procedures to be followed when initiating and conducting a research project including background study, problem definition and planning an appropriate research project, literature review and assessment of methodology. 
• To formulate questions and hypotheses that can be tested and answered through the scientific method. 
• To report and discuss results in a standard form appropriate for scientific publication. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. State a clearly formulated aim
2. Demonstrate the accurate reporting of scientific methodology and results
3. Demonstrate the appropriate collection, organisation and analysis of data, reasoned discussion of results in the context of the subject area
4. Present the finding as a dissertation written and communicated in clear scientific English
5. Develop organisation skills, time planning and time management for extended periods of work.  In some circumstances an outcome will be appropriate working with external organisation on a project.

Module content

A topic will be chosen in consultation with the module convenor. Topics may be provided e.g. from a list or if appropriate, on a subject area initiated by the student or in conjunction with an external organisation. An appropriate supervisor (or supervisors) is appointed. In consultation with the supervisor, the student undertakes background reading, agrees the approach and methodology to be employed, and prepares a literature review combined with a formal research proposal and health and safety assessment. The project is then undertaken during the Summer. Some students on this module may conduct their projects at other institutions or with other organisations or otherwise away from Reading by prior arrangement and agreement of the module convenor. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The student will learn of the problems associated with carrying out original research first-hand. The student will be expected to consider potential problems beforehand and to discuss design and analysis with academics both within the university and the organization with which they may be working. Students will have one-to-one supervision and advice available to them during the writing-up stage. 

Study hours

At least 25 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.

Draft project outline, draft Health and Safety assessment, draft dissertation.

Reassessment

Additional costs