BS987-7-PS-CO:
Research Project: MSc Cancer Biology

PLEASE NOTE: This module is inactive. Visit the Module Directory to view modules and variants offered during the current academic year.

The details
2023/24
Life Sciences (School of)
Colchester Campus
Spring & Summer
Postgraduate: Level 7
Inactive
Monday 15 January 2024
Friday 28 June 2024
90
08 October 2020

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

(none)

Module description

Your Research Project is the largest piece of work that you will complete during the course and contributes 90 credits (50%) of your final marks. You should find this to be both stimulating and of particular importance for your future career, because it will provide you with the opportunity to analyse a system in some depth and perform a coherent set of experiments allowing you to further develop your skills in experimental design, problem solving and the analysis and interpretation of data.

The Project Report, poster and talk will enable you to demonstrate your presentation and communication skills. The heavy weighting of the project means that it is vital that you perform well in this aspect of your studies and that you are diligent in your reading, practical work and the preparation of your report, and oral and poster presentations.

An alternative work-based learning project may also be available. This would include an 12-20-week placement. Work-based projects will be shared with students if available. These are not guaranteed and will vary according to the research needs of the placement provider. Students interested in these projects will need to participate in a selection process.

Students are also able to identify their own work-based projects. These would need to be approved by the Academic Supervisor/Course Director and Faculty Placements Team before the placement can start.

Module aims

This module aims to equip you with research skills and research methods that are fundamental for cancer research.

Module learning outcomes

1. Demonstrate training and experience in the formulation of research ideas and in designing a research project.
2. Demonstrate practical expertise in laboratory and / or bioinformatic techniques relevant to research in Cancer Biology
3. Demonstrate skills in the critical evaluation and interpretation of data.
4. Demonstrate the ability to write a report in scientific paper format and development of a range of skills including information acquisition, self-learning, writing of a literature review, elevator pitch/oral presentation and poster presentation of scientific results and scientific meeting organisation.

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

20 Week Laboratory Project & preparation for a Conference (Start: Week 26) An alternative Work-based Learning Project may also be available. This would include a 12-20 Week Placement.

Bibliography

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting

Additional coursework information

Project Proposal and Laboratory Risk Assessment (5%) Standalone Literature Review (10%) Project Report (72.5%) - (including introduction weighted at 10%, Student performance in project at 2.5%, and remainder of the Report weighted at 60%) Elevator Pitch/Oral Presentation (5%) Poster Presentation (5%) The Role of the Workplace Supervisor for Work-based Projects Work-based supervisors will have no role in the marking or assessment of projects. Their role is to give practical and scientific guidance during the research project, facilitate access to laboratory equipment and other resources and supervise working practices within the workplace. The Academic Supervisor at the University of Essex is the Course Director, who however can nominate another academic staff member with more suitable expertise. The dissertation will be marked by the Academic Supervisor and a second independent assessor from the University of Essex, School of Life Sciences in the same way as standard dissertations are treated and assessed. Feedback will be sought from placement providers and shared with students on their performance in the workplace. This will allow students to reflect on the placement experience and will have no bearing on the academic assessment of the project.

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

100 per cent Coursework Mark

Reassessment

100 per cent Coursework Mark

Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Andrea Mohr, email: amohr@essex.ac.uk.
Supervisors
School Graduate Office, email: bsgradtaught (Non essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create a full email address)

 

Availability
No
No
No

External examiner

Dr Lakjaya Buluwela
Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine
Reader in Cancer Medicine
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 141 hours, 0 (0%) hours available to students:
141 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).

 

Further information
Life Sciences (School of)

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