Module Information
Module Identifier
BRM3560
Module Title
Dissertation
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 3 (Dissertation)
Reading List
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Dissertation 8500 Words | 100% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Re-submission 8500 Words | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Efficiently undertake an in-depth literature review.
Plan and perform experiments using appropriate research methods.
Work to a planned timetable.
Evaluate and present results effectively; summarise and discuss the results in the context of the chosen subject area.
Produce a learned report of the investigation in the form of a research article in the style of a relevant journal.
Brief description
The dissertation will normally be experimental in nature, investigating a subject of the student's choice and subject to a supervisor's approval. The normal guidelines/regulations on M.Sc. Dissertation as outlined in the University Calendar will stand.
Content
The aims of the module are:
To provide the students with the opportunity for an in-depth investigation of an appropriate topic. It is intended that the skills and discipline required to write a scholarly paper on a specified subject will be developed to an advanced level. The module will provide the opportunity to specialise in a particular aspect of the discipline.
It will achieve this by considering the following areas:
- Introductory session detailing the requirements of a dissertation
- Tutorials to give guidance and arrange appropriate dissertation research work, culminating in the production of a research proposal (submitted and marked as an assignment in BRM6420 Research Methods in the Biosciences).
- A period of approximately 3 months experimental work/data gathering under the guidance of a dissertation supervisor
- Writing up and submission of a research article in the style of a relevant journal, in accordance with University guidelines and under the guidance of a dissertation supervisor
To provide the students with the opportunity for an in-depth investigation of an appropriate topic. It is intended that the skills and discipline required to write a scholarly paper on a specified subject will be developed to an advanced level. The module will provide the opportunity to specialise in a particular aspect of the discipline.
It will achieve this by considering the following areas:
- Introductory session detailing the requirements of a dissertation
- Tutorials to give guidance and arrange appropriate dissertation research work, culminating in the production of a research proposal (submitted and marked as an assignment in BRM6420 Research Methods in the Biosciences).
- A period of approximately 3 months experimental work/data gathering under the guidance of a dissertation supervisor
- Writing up and submission of a research article in the style of a relevant journal, in accordance with University guidelines and under the guidance of a dissertation supervisor
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Collation, manipulation and analysis of data may be an integral part of the research conducted and the thesis presented. |
| Communication | Students will be expected to develop advanced communication skills, in particular written communication, through the presentation of a research thesis in an appropriate academic style and in accordance with University guidelines |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Students need to demonstrate good organizational skills in order to carry out their research work and ultimately produce a thesis in a timely and effective manner. |
| Information Technology | Students will be required to source information from a variety of scientific publication data bases and where appropriate use software statistical packages to analysis their results. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | It is intended that the techniques and skills developed during this module will have a direct application to student’s future careers. Vocational skills, both within their subject specialism and more general transferable skills, will be developed to a high level. |
| Problem solving | Students are required to design and implement an investigational protocol in order to address a specific research question |
| Research skills | Students are required to critically evaluate previous research work during the production of a Literature review and then collect, analyse and interpret their own research data. |
| Subject Specific Skills | In depth technical knowledge of the dissertation subject area |
| Team work | Students may have the opportunity for developing their team skills if their dissertation work requires them to work within a research team. However the emphasis in this module is on independent research. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7