Module: Literature Review & Experimental Design

Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Literature Review & Experimental Design
Module Code	BE489
School	School of Biotechnology
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Paula Meleady Semester 2: Paula Meleady Autumn: Paula Meleady
Module Teachers	Paul Cahill Paula Meleady Phil Cummins Anne Parle-McDermott Brian Freeland Christine Loscher Ciaran Fagan Dermot Walls Greg Foley Naomi Walsh Denise Harold David Collins Michael Freeley Linda Holland Keith Rochfort Konstantinos Gkrintzalis Burcu Gunes
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	7.5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

None

Description

This module will introduce the students of the B.Sc. Genetics & Cell Biology and B.Sc Biotechnology programme to the main research topics that are under investigation for their research projects within the School of Biotechnology. The students will research in depth the existing literature available on a given topic/scientific problem that may be pertinent to their final year research project and write this up in an organised, coherent and structured manner akin to an introduction to a thesis. In addition, the students will research the general background of their assigned research project and present a concise background and rationale for addressing the specific research question, specify the rationale and strategy for addressing the research question, present an experimental design for their project and evaluate some alternative strategies and contingencies that they could undertake to address the research question.

Learning Outcomes

1. Gain experience in examining critically the pertinent literature relevant to a given topic using, in particular, published scientific articles as sources
2. Learn to discriminate between articles that are more relevant/less relevant
3. Learn to critically evaluate in an original way the contributions of various discoveries to the understanding of the topic
4. Compose a written document to present critical contributions in a structured way
5. Integrate references to the source material appropriately
6. Explain the background as it relates to the student's research project
7. Gain experience in designing experimental strategies to address a scientific question
8. Gain experience in assessing alternative experimental strategies and contingencies to proposed stragegies

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Directed learning	188	Interrogate the Literature using all available resources Library and web based literature search, supervisor directed preparation of literature review, thesis presentation, submission of a written report
Total Workload: 188

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Literature Search, Review, Writing
As directed by supervisor

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Assignment	Submit a written review as directed by the supervisor	70%	Week 12
Assignment	Submit a 3-page Experimental Design plan	30%	Week 12

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Other Resources

None

Programme or List of Programmes

BT	BSc in Biotechnology

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