The purpose of this module is to develop the skills of independent academic research and academic writing, literature review, data handling and self-expression communication and dissemination of Health based research. The module will enable the development of a specialist understanding of a chosen topic in the health area and will provide the learner with the fundamental skills to communicate health research effectively by reviewing, appraising and critiquing current research. Learners will be required to interpret data, interrogate, assimilate and integrate fundamental and advanced concepts and apply this knowledge to effectively communicate biomedical information.

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 their 'hospital techniques and diagnostics' rotations and case studies encountered during other core modules of semester 7. 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. This module will be completed before Biomedical Science Final year project Part 2.

At the end of this module, students will be able to; Demonstrate a familiarity with the conduct of a formal literature searches and the critical assessment of the material. Critically assess current biomedical research or clinical practices. Identify in a project plan, the aims, objectives and methodologies proposed for use in proposed project. Analyse published material from a variety of sources and synthesize the data in the form of a report or oral presentation. Develop a working hypothesis and design appropriate experimentation to test this hypothesis which will form the work packages of part 2 of the final year project.

At the end of this module, students will be able to; Defend, using structured scientific arguments, the conclusions reached in the literature review and justify the objectives and methodologies proposed for use in the project to academic examiners. Display an ability to communicate biomedical science effectively in a scientific abstract, poster presentation and by oral presentation. Display a professional commitment to the management of the project. Develop an effective working relationship with supervisor and technical staff.

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The module is both research based and communication based. The student will incorporate recent research findings in the formulation of the hypothesis and in the design of the experimentation plan that will be executed in the following semester. This is primarily an independent research project (although group work will be encouraged) where students learn by applying the knowledge, understanding and skills attained throughout their programme and access to clinicians and hospital practices to formulate their hypothesis. There will be a lot of emphasis placed on the students ability to communicate the techniques and methodologies as applied to a particular problem in the biomedical science.