Module: Research Design & Methodology Project

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Research Design & Methodology Project
Module Code	BIO1032 (ITS: BE565)
Faculty	Biotechnology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	30

Description

Students who choose the Research Design and Methodology Project will participate in a 12-week research placement within the School of Biotechnology or in other Institutes in DCU. Research topics should stay within the realm of biotherapeutics but could range from recombinant protein production to gene therapy to gene expression regulation to improving down stream processing techniques. Alternatively, if students are working in a relevant Industry they may undertake their research project in their place of work. This module will help students develop the research skills needed to adopt a problem-solving approach to scientific research in biomedical 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. Lastly, 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 and literature review.
2. Apply the methods and procedures of scientific research and development on a novel topic pertaining to biotherapeutics.
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.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Professional Practice	480	Students will be expected to work a full 40 hour week in the laboratory for 12 weeks.
Directed learning	40	Students will read relevant references before starting in the laboratory
Independent Study	40	Literature and database searches
Assignment Completion	160	Dissertation preparation
Assignment Completion	30	Oral presentation and preparation
Total Workload: 750

Section Breakdown
CRN	10782	Part of Term	Semester 1, 2 & 3
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC2	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Janosch Heller	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Extended Essay / Dissertation	Literature Review. This will be submitted together with the research dissertation in early August.	35%	Other
Project	Assessment will be based on lab skills, project planning, data analysis, literature review, write-up and presentation. This will be submitted together with the literature review in early August.	50%	Other
Presentation	Oral presentation on research project. These will take place in early August.	15%	Other

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Research Project
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.

Literature Review
Preparation of a comprehensive literature review on a topic that is relevant to the research project and falls within the broad realm of biotherapeutics.

Oral presentation
Dissemination of research project results via an oral presentation.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None