Course Catalogue

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This course will be taken by final-year MSci students undertaking an investigative research project, including laboratory- or field-based research, in silico research and other research that entails the testing of hypotheses and/or the analysis of data.

Individual projects may require travel outwith Glasgow.

As arranged individually.

Normally, this course is only available to final-year students in a Life Sciences MSci programme. 

BIOL4246P Life Sciences Investigative Honours Project

BIOL4247P Life Sciences Dissertation Honours Project

BIOL4248P Life Sciences Outreach Honours Project

BIOL4249P Life Sciences Internship Honours Project

BIOL5288P Life Sciences Dissertation MSci Project

BIOL5289PLife Sciences Outreach MSci Project

Project dissertation (55%), supervisor's assessment of overall performance (10%), project oral presentation (15%) and future research proposal (20%).

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 aims of the course are to provide experience in the planning and execution of a short research project, data analysis and interpretation, the production of a written report, planning and drafting a future research proposal, and in presenting and discussing research findings orally.

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

■ plan and execute a research project;

■ critically evaluate and summarise prior research;

■ acquire, analyse and interpret scientific data;

■ critically discuss their findings in the context of prior and future research;

■ write a cogent research report within the set parameters;

■ identify areas where further research is necessary;

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

■ give a clear, well-constructed oral presentation describing their research to their peers.

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

Students must complete the future research proposal item of assessment. Students who do not submit that assessment will be transferred to the related BSc Honours programme, assessed under BSc Honours regulations and will not be eligible for the MSci award.