Module Code - Title:
BM4042
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BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE FINAL YEAR PROJECT PART 2
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
The purpose of this module is; to assist the student in the development of the skillset to become an independent academic researcher in the Biomedical Science area, to develop the skills required to identify of a gap in our knowledge or understanding of an area of biomedical and Health research, to formulation of a hypothesis around that gap, to develop the appropriate technical and communication skills required to design and execute experiments or approaches that test the hypothesis, to prepare students for a research-based career.
Syllabus:
The project is of two semester's duration through the final academic year. Part 1 is the literature review and case study component focusing on the development of a clear understanding of a biomedical research topic. With the help of an assigned academic supervisor, the student will select a single project subject in the biomedical science area which is aligned closely to the material that the student will encounter during the other core modules of semester 7. The projects will be predominantly, although not necessarily exclusively, laboratory-based and the subject matter will be relevant to the program of study. The project may require group work and may be a design project related to the communication of biomedical science to patients and the general public. The main part of the project will be a self-directed student centred activity with individual guidance from the project supervisor and group guidance from the class or an associated clinically focused research group.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
At the end of this module, students will be able to;
Demonstrate an appreciation of the conduct of a formal literature searches and the critical assessment of the material.
Critically assess current biomedical research or health research practices.
Identify in a project plan, the aims, objectives and methodologies proposed for use in proposed project.
Design and apply appropriate methodologies and/or experiments to the research question posed.
Identify, gather, analyse and evaluate relevant information/data from an appropriate range of sources and observations, and make valid interpretations of the data in the form of a report that will be communicated orally and via written word in a clear, concise and appropriate scientific format that fulfills the intended purpose and meets the needs of the audience
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
At the end of this module, students will be able to;
Demonstrate an appreciation of the core elements required for successful research project work including research ethics, timelines, data sources.
Display a professional commitment to the management of a project.
Demonstrate an effective working relationship with supervisor and technical staff.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
In the case of laboratory-based projects, students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in procedures and perform experiments in a safe and responsible manner.
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
This is primarily an independent research project (although group discussions will be encouraged) which is coupled with Biomedical Science Final Year Project 1. An individual project is assigned to an individual student and the project will be supervised by at least one internal supervisor and will be moderated by at least one additional member of academic staff. Significant emphasis is placed on the students ability to communicate the techniques and methodologies applied to the project. The module will be assessed by means of the final project report, oral presentations and the overall attitude, work commitment and innovativeness of the student.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
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This module will utilize primary literature as the main basis of acquisition of new knowledge. This will primarily come from discipline specific journals such as The Lancet, The New England Journal of Medicine, Nature Medicine, Science, Nature, the Cell series, Nature Reviews series, Trends in Molecular Medicine etc.
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Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
amira.mahdi@ul.ie