Skip to main content
 

BIOL4121: RESEARCH SKILLS MBiol

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

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To train students in good laboratory or fieldwork practice, including safety, required for semi-independent research.
  • To train students in common techniques of research in biological and biomedical sciences which will be required for the research area of the project selected in the Research Project MBiol module.
  • To train students in experimental design and advanced data analysis techniques relevant to the research area of the project selected in the Research Project MBiol module.
  • To expose students to contemporary research in a range of topics across biological and biomedical sciences

Content

  • Theoretical and practical aspects of good laboratory and fieldwork practice.
  • Background and applications of common laboratory and field technology for research in biological and biomedical sciences.
  • Workshop sessions exploring the use of laboratory and fieldwork equipment in the context of good practice.
  • Experimental design, including generating and testing hypotheses, critical thinking, data recording and maintaining a laboratory notebook.
  • Advanced techniques for analysing data generated by laboratory or field work; problem classes in the use of these data analysis techniques.
  • Research seminars selected from the Departmental seminar series

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • Knowledge of the theory and technology of a variety of laboratory methods to investigate physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology of plants and animals, or aspects of human biology.
  • Knowledge of the theory and application of safety practices in the laboratory and field, including awareness of regulatory aspects.
  • Practical application of good practice in safe working, record keeping, and data collection in research in the laboratory and the field in biological and biomedical sciences.
  • Critical understanding of research in selected areas of biological and biomedical sciences to the limits of current knowledge.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • Ability to undertake unsupervised laboratory-based research, including risk assessment.
  • Ability to design and execute experimental work within current safety regulations, and accepted good practice.
  • Interpretative skills at an advanced level for results of research.

Key Skills:

  • Knowledge of practical skills in safe use of laboratory and field equipment.
  • Data analysis, in interpretation and analysis of experimental data.
  • Communication skills, through seminar reports.
  • Self-motivation, in independent work on assignments.

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

  • Lectures: Talks in which the theory and practice of research technologies and safety practices are discussed.
  • Workshops and problem classes: interactive sessions with "hands on" instruction in various techniques and equipment, and discussion of data handling exercises.
  • Seminars: Students will be required to attend a minimum of four seminars from the Departmental Seminar series.
  • Assessment: 1. Student performance will be assessed through formative continual assessment exercises, to provide a means for the student to demonstrate their acquisition of subject knowledge and development of problem solving skills. 2. Students will be required to produce four seminar reports, which will be summatively assessed.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lectures61 hour6Yes
Generic Training 81 hour8Yes
Safety Exercises26 hours12 
Techniques Seminars and Workshops84 hours32Yes
Preparation & Reading 142 
Total 200 

Summative Assessment

Component: Continuous Assessment Component Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Reflective Report30No
Seminar Reports 70No

Formative Assessment

Online tests

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.