Module: Literature Review & Experimental Design

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Literature Review & Experimental Design
Module Code	BE489 (ITS) / BIO1019 (Banner)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Biotechnology
Module Co-ordinator	Paula Meleady
Module Teachers	Anne Parle-Mcdermott, Brian Freeland, Christine Loscher, David Collins, Denise Harold, Keith Rochfort, Konstantinos Gkrintzalis, Linda Holland, Michael Freeley, Naomi Walsh, Paul Cahill, Philip Cummins
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	7.5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

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	n/a	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Other Resources

None