Module Information

Module Identifier
BR36440
Module Title
Research Project
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Pre-Requisite
Reading List
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Research project  8000 Words  80%
Semester Assessment Oral presentation  10 Minutes  10%
Semester Assessment Employability Skills  CV and skills assessment. 1. A C.V. including a list of subject-specific skills acquired 2. Evidence of generic skills as may be requested by employers, drawing on examples of work carried out throughout the degree and during the research project 3. Images from the skills passport obtained during taught content. 1000 Words  10%
Supplementary Assessment Research project  8000 Words  80%
Supplementary Assessment Oral presentation  10 Minutes  10%
Supplementary Assessment Employability Skills  CV and skills assessment. 1. A C.V. including a list of subject-specific skills acquired 2. Evidence of generic skills as may be requested by employers, drawing on examples of work carried out throughout the degree and during the research project 3. Images from the skills passport obtained during taught content. 1000 Words  10%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Assess and evaluate information from a range of sources.

Identify and apply appropriate techniques of study design and data analysis.

Draw out conclusions and discuss these in relation to existing knowledge in the field.

Highlight unanswered questions and areas of controversy in their research area and formulate suggestions for future research.

Use appropriate writing and IT skills to present the context, data, results and conclusions in a thesis.

Identify & present key themes of the research project in the form of an oral presentation.

Demonstrate the successful acquisition of subject-specific technical skills.

Effectively communicate subject-specific and generic employability skills acquired.

Brief description

The Research project module is a graduating level cap-stone experience building and developing students’ skills and knowledge. The module provides students with the opportunity to perform in-depth research on a topic that is broadly relevant to their degree or their interests. Many projects will be based on laboratory experiments or fieldwork exercises; others may comprise a computer modelling exercise based on secondary data sources. Others again will involve analysis of data obtained from published literature. All projects, regardless of their mode, will require students to work independently under the guidance of a supervisor, to perform a review of literature, conduct investigative work and data analysis, develop suitable conclusions and recommendations, and present this in the form of a Research project.

Content

There will be a broad variation in the emphasis of the Research project. All projects are governed by the same regulations and must aim to achieve the same learning objectives. Students are expected to maintain regular contact with their supervisor (approximately once every two weeks during the semesters) to discuss progress.
An introductory lecture in the 1st semester will provide guidance on how to approach the Research project research followed by the opportunity for students to ask questions with the module coordinator. In the 2nd semester further information and Q&A sessions will be provided on specific aspects of the preparation of the Research project.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number This module will require students to develop general mathematical awareness and its application in practical contexts (e.g. measuring, weighing, or applying formulae), according to the nature of the project. Students will also obtain or interpret mathematical and statistical information. Assessed in the Research Project.
Communication Students undertaking the project will develop effective listening skills during supervisory meetings, assessed in all assignments. Written literacy will also be developed through production of the written elements. Oral communication skills will be developed in production of the research seminar.
Improving own Learning and Performance This module will help students develop and apply realistic learning and self- management strategies. Students will devise personal action plans to include short- and long-term goals, and to review and monitor progress, revising action plans as appropriate to improve overall performance, assessed by the CV skills assessment
Information Technology Literature searches, analysis of data, presentation of data, and preparation of written and oral elements will require the use of IT. This use of IT will be assessed in the Research project and oral presentation.
Personal Development and Career planning Will develop transferable skills in the evaluation and application of new research findings. The CV skills assessment will assess the ability of the student to effectively communicate skills acquired throughout their degree to potential employers.
Problem solving This skill is a key component of the module, assessed in the Research Project. Students will be encouraged to critically analyse primary and/or secondary data, identify factors that might influence potential solutions, and apply creative thinking to develop appropriate solutions.
Research skills This is a research-based module that requires students to understand and evaluate a range of research methods and procedures, plan and carry out research, and produce an academic report. Assessed in the Research Project.
Subject Specific Skills Subject-specific skills developed will depend on the research project being undertaken and assessed in the Research Project e.g. training in DNA sequencing and analysis, questionnaire design, behavioural observation, etc.
Team work Not a specific element of this module although some students will be required to work with other members of a laboratory or research group, including other Research project students.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6