MSc CMAE Research Project BIOL5337P

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Biodiversity One Health Vet Med
  • Credits: 60
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Summer
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

The aim of this course is for students to learn applied research skills by undertaking a short research project that culminates in a manuscript formatted for Conservation Biology (about 7,000 words).

Timetable

Full-time research project (May - August) with meetings with regular supervisor throughout the duration.

Requirements of Entry

None

Excluded Courses

None

Assessment

Students will be required to develop a rigorous proposal of the project, including rationale, hypotheses to be tested, experimental design and methods to be used, power analysis and what statistical tests will be performed on the collected data with a project budget, and write this up in a project proposal of approximately 2,000 words (25% of the mark). Students will produce a report based on an appropriate component of their independent research, analysed using the most appropriate methods learned during the first two terms of their programme, and written up to a high standard of English. This will be in the style of a research paper appropriate for publication, including a concise critical analysis of the background literature and how their results fit into the context of the broader body of literature (50% of the mark). Students will also be expected to make a presentation of the results of their project delivered orally in person (15% of the mark). Students will also be assessed on their involvement, practical skills, leadership, communication and independence in developing their project. This will be assessed by supervisory feedback and provide constructive feedback as students mature into their own collaborative projects (10% of the mark). Students are expected to explore the internet and use up-to-date journal publications for reference material

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? No

Reassessment is not available for supervisors report

 

 

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 aim of this course is to have students propose and undertake a research project that results in a report, formatted for an identified scientific journal, and to make a presentation of their work.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to integrate knowledge learned across the taught components of the course to:

■ Critically evaluate the literature, and prepare a concise literature review reflecting the current status of the work being undertaken;

■ Successfully discuss, design and carry out a research project;

■ Clearly and concisely present and defend the results of the research project to scientific readership;

■ Present the results of the project through a poster and/or other means of direct presentation;

■ Provide a 7,000 word report of the study formatted for Conservation Biology.

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.