Skip to main content
Module Search
A street in Durham, with old buildings and people walking down the street
 

BIOL4071: BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH PROJECT (S)

Please ensure you check the module availability box for each module outline, as not all modules will run in each academic year. Each module description relates to the year indicated in the module availability box, and this may change from year to year, due to, for example: changing staff expertise, disciplinary developments, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Current modules are subject to change in light of the ongoing disruption caused by Covid-19.

Type Tied
Level 4
Credits 20
Availability Available in 2023/24
Module Cap
Location Durham
Department Biosciences

Prerequisites

  • Satisfactory completion of level 3 of the Biology and Physics MSci degree (FGC0).

Corequisites

  • Workshop MBiol (BIOL4111), Project (PHYS4213), Foundations of Physics 4B (PHYS4261).

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To carry out a study of research in a topic associated with biological and physical sciences using the full resources of the scientific literature.
  • To present the results of the study in the form of a critical review article and poster.

Content

  • Self-directed study.
  • Workshops and tutorials in data gathering techniques and literature databases, and presentation techniques.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • Knowledge and understanding of a selected topic in biological and physical sciences to the limits of existing research.
  • Knowledge of communication of scientific information in both written and poster forms.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • To be able to access and evaluate information relevant to biological sciences from a variety of sources, and to prepare a written report on a specific topic that is organised and critical, and takes account of current developments in research in the field to the limits of existing knowledge
  • To be able to present the results of literature-based research in a form accessible to an audience of peers, in the form of a poster.

Key Skills:

  • Literacy, in being able to consult and extract information from printed and on-line archives.
  • Communication skills, in presenting report and poster.
  • IT skills, in use of online data bases.
  • Self-motivation, in self-guided learning, independent work on report and poster.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Literature review: a comprehensive review of scientific literature on a specific topic, agreed between student and supervisor. The student uses the resources of information databases to produce a critical account of the topic, with an emphasis on current research, and the context in which it is taking place. The review will be expected to extend to the limits of current knowledge in the chosen topic, and include analysis of prospects for future research. Assessment is based on the review itself, and a poster presentation derived from it.
  • Workshops and tutorials; large and small group teaching on background generic topics for literature review.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Tutorials and workshops81 hour8Yes
Preperation and reading192 
Total200 

Summative Assessment

Component: Continuous AssessmentComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Poster 20No
Literature Review 80No

Formative Assessment

None.

More information

If you have a question about Durham's modular degree programmes, please visit our FAQ webpages, Help page or our glossary of terms. If you have a question about modular programmes that is not covered by the FAQ, or a query about the on-line Undergraduate Module Handbook, please contact us.

Prospective Students: If you have a query about a specific module or degree programme, please Ask Us.

Current Students: Please contact your department.