Course Catalogue

View Specification Document | Reading List

An independent research project.

Project - Monday to Friday for 8 weeks in Semester 2.

Grant proposal (set exercise) will be completed in weeks 9 -10

Students must have attained the minimum requirements for entry into level 5 of the Veterinary Biosciences MSci Programme as specified in the Veterinary Biosciences [Hons]/MSci Programme Supplementary Regulations.

None

Project report (65%), Oral presentation of project (15%), grant proposal (set exercise) (15%) and Supervisor's report (5%).

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. 

The research project aims to provide the student with the opportunity to learn and put into practice the skills required for scientific research, by carrying out an original investigation to address a specific question/hypothesis, and critically analyzing, interpreting and discussing the findings in a written report and oral presentation and drafting a future research proposal.

By the end of the research project, the student should be able to:

■ Explain the significance and novelty of the question or hypothesis addressed by their project, in the context of the existing scientific literature on the topic

■ Demonstrate competence in the use of appropriate scientific approaches to test the hypothesis/answer the question

■ Independently devise investigations/experiments with clear protocols and adequate controls, which will generate scientifically valid data

■ Maintain clear and complete records of the investigation work in accordance with the conventions of good scientific practice

■ Critically analyse results of the investigation, drawing appropriate conclusions in relation to the original question/hypothesis and the published literature

■ Evaluate alternative approaches to the question, and suggest future lines of investigation

■ propose a coherent future research plan in the context of existing published research and their own research project findings

■ Prepare a coherent account of the project in written and oral formats, in accordance with good scientific practice

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