Life Sciences Dissertation Honours Project BIOL4247P

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic
  • Credits: 40
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Runs Throughout Semesters 1 and 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

Students will find, and critically interpret, appropriate primary published literature on a focused research topic to form an evidence-based argument that is used for one or more of the following purposes:

1. Answer a question/hypothesis that motivated the dissertation from the start;

2. Answer a question/hypothesis that emerges during the literature review phase;

3. Propose new research questions and hypothesis/hypotheses based on the literature review phase;

4. Inform policy or funding bodies.

Individual projects may require travel outwith Glasgow.

Timetable

As arranged individually.

Requirements of Entry

Normally, this course is only available to Level 4 students in a School of Life Sciences programme. Visiting students may be allowed to enrol, at the discretion of the School of Life Sciences Chief Adviser.

Excluded Courses

BIOL4246P Life Sciences Investigative Honours Project

BIOL4248P Life Sciences Outreach Honours Project

BIOL4249P Life Sciences Internship Honours Project

BIOL5287P Life Sciences Investigative MSci Project

BIOL5288P Life Sciences Dissertation MSci Project

BIOL5289PLife Sciences Outreach MSci Project

Assessment

Project dissertation (70%), supervisor's assessment of overall performance (10%) and project oral presentation (20%). 

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? Not applicable for Honours courses

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

Course Aims

The aims of the course are to provide experience in the planning and composition of a short research-led dissertation, encompassing critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of data obtained from sources identified from a focused search strategy, and in presenting and discussing research findings orally.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

■ Design and complete an investigation of a focused research question using relevant literature

■ Develop a strategic approach to selecting evidence sources in a focused topic area

■ Apply a methodical approach to searching relevant bibliographic databases and other sources of relevant information

■ Integrate, critically analyse and evaluate data from multiple sources

■ Formulate reasoned judgements based on available evidence

■ Write a clear and coherent report in an appropriate format

■ Design and deliver a clear, well-constructed oral presentation describing their research to their peers.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.