Advanced Scientific Skills

Module overview

The module consists of four workshops on:

1) Analysis and critical appraisal of large datasets

2) Bringing your science to the public

3) Scientific writing

4) Preparation of a research grant proposal

In addition there will be two sessions on:

1) The preparation and presentation of a scientific poster

2) Clinical/commercial translation and technology transfer

The 'analysis and critical appraisal of large datasets' workshop will combine a seminar and a general discussion to clarify any points and frame any questions arising from the lecture that the students find interesting. The students will be required to write a review of data visualisation techniques and their applications.

In the 'bringing your science to the public' workshop, the students will learn how to communicate their research effectively to the public and will present their Research Project 1 in lay terms.

In the 'scientific writing' workshop, the students will be introduced to academic/scientific writing skills.

The 'research grant proposal' workshop will consist of a seminar followed by a session in which the students will prepare an outline grant proposal. This will equip the students to prepare a three-year research grant proposal with support from either the Research Project 1 or Research Project 2 supervisor. This module will build on key components of Research Skills for Biomedical Science 1 where students learn to develop a research hypothesis in addition to statistical methodology. This will enable students to gain understanding and develop the skills required to design and write a competitive, three-year research grant proposal which will be an extension of either their first, or second research project

The two remaining sessions will focus on skills required to prepare and present a scientific poster and strategies for the commercialisation of research output.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Give succinct oral presentations and discuss the importance and relevance of your research in relation to published work.
Produce a concise written summary and appraisal of published work.
Prepare a competitive research grant proposal.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

Acquire communication skills required to portray your science to the public.
Understand what makes a good grant and the grant writing process.
Appreciate the processes involved in research commercialisation.
Explain and critique a range of data visualisation techniques and their applications.
Understand how to communicate research effectively to a scientific audience.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Organise your own activities to achieve a desired outcome within a limited amount of time.
Exercise initiative and personal responsibility.
Direct your own learning.

Cognitive Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Critically assess research carried out by others, evaluate its usefulness for your grant proposal.
Apply knowledge of effective communication skills in oral and written presentations.
Understand and summarise different methods of analysing large datasets.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

A variety of methods will be used including seminars, workshops, group discussions and facilitated sessions all of which incorporate the evaluation and presentation of research findings.

Total Study Time

The module will reflect the normal distribution of 300 hours of student effort attributable to this 30 credit module.

Contact hours: 18

Non-contact hours: 282

Study time
Type	Hours
Independent Study	282
Teaching	18
Total study time	300

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

Resources and datasets required for this module will be accessible via the internet..

Assessment

Assessment strategy

The assessment for the module provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes. There will be three parts to the assessment:

1) analysis and critical appraisal of large datasets

2) oral presentation of Research Project 1 specifically tailored for a lay audience

3) research grant proposal

Assessed Course Work:

1) analysis and critical appraisal of large datasets (30%)

2) oral presentation of Research Project 1 specifically tailored for a lay audience (25%)

3) research grant proposal (45%)

You must pass the module overall at 50% or above. The pass mark for the analysis and critical appraisal of large datasets, the lay oral presentation and the research grant proposal is 50% and no compensation is allowed.

Candidates who fail the module at the first attempt will be permitted to re-sit specific elements as supplementary assessments as agreed by the module lead. Candidates who achieve at least 50% overall at the second attempt will be permitted to pass the module and the module mark will be capped at 50%.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Grant proposal	45%
Analysis	30%
Oral presentation	25%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Analysis	30%
Grant proposal	45%
Oral presentation	25%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External

Module overview

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Transferable and Generic Skills

Cognitive Skills

Syllabus

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

Assessment

Assessment strategy

Summative

Referral

Repeat Information