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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Literature Review, Research Project & Presentation
Module Code BE589 (ITS) / BIO1034 (Banner)
Faculty Science & Health School Biotechnology
Module Co-ordinatorPaul Leonard
Module TeachersDenise Harold, Michael Freeley, Paul Cahill
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 30
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
None
Array
Description

Students will participate in a three-month research placement within the School of Biotechnology or in other Institutes in DCU. Alternatively, if you are working in a relevant Industry you may undertake your research project in your place of work. This module will help students develop the research skills needed to adopt a problem-solving approach to scientific research in biomedical diagnostics and therapeutics. Guidance will be provided in the basic methodology of scientific research and in summarising, elaborating and explaining research results. Students will also gain a number of transferable skills, including communication, interpersonal and organisational skills. Students will provide the structure of their own literature review/project plan and this should clearly identify the context of the proposed research, and status of the field, together with realistic time scale for completion. Students will complete a dissertation that will include a full scientific report of their project. Also, students will give an oral presentation of their project to all Principle Investigators and mentors involved in the project.

Learning Outcomes

1. Locate the source information and literature necessary for your research project/masterclasses and literature review.
2. Apply the methods and procedures of scientific research and development on a novel topic pertaining to diagnostics, therapeutics and/or precision medicine.
3. Identify logical approaches to experimental design, analytical measurement, and data analysis.
4. Prepare a research thesis that provides a summary and critical analysis of the scientific research that was carried out in this project.
5. Deliver an oral presentation of your research topic.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Professional Practice480Students will be expected to work a full 40 hour week in the laboratory for 12 weeks.
Directed learning40Students will read relevant references before starting in the laboratory
Independent Study40Literature and database searches
Assignment Completion160Dissertation preparation
Assignment Completion30Presentation and preparation
Total Workload: 750

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

The specific research area for each individual project will be agreed upon by the student and the academic and/or industrial advisors. Specific research and evaluation criteria will apply in the individual projects.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Extended Essay / DissertationLiterature Review20%n/a
ProjectAssessment will be based on lab skills, project planning, data analysis, literature review, write-up and presentation.50%n/a
PresentationOral presentation on research project30%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 2
Indicative Reading List

  • Principle Investigator: 0, Specific reading material will apply in the individual projects.,
Other Resources

None

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