All students in the School of Life Sciences (excluding Chemistry) carry out a final year research project.All students in the School of Life Sciences (excluding Chemistry) carry out a final year research project. Human Sciences students may choose a project as an option.Human Sciences students may choose a project as an option. You will have the opportunity to:You will have the opportunity to: –undertake an individual piece of original research. –work independently (with guidance and support). Life Science Final Year Research Project (C7127) Course convener: Dr Michelle West

Life Science Final Year Research Project (C7127) The project is a core course and will appear on your final year options form already- you must fill in the options form to choose your other courses and submit as normal.The project is a core course and will appear on your final year options form already- you must fill in the options form to choose your other courses and submit as normal. You then choose a specific project through a separate procedure (see later slides) and submit your project choice form next term.You then choose a specific project through a separate procedure (see later slides) and submit your project choice form next term.

Project Assessment Oral presentation of approx mins at the end of the autumn term (10%).Oral presentation of approx mins at the end of the autumn term (10%). Project report of approximately 6000 words due in at the start of the spring term (90%).Project report of approximately 6000 words due in at the start of the spring term (90%).

How Much Time Will I Spend On My Project? 30 credit course (1/4 of final year).30 credit course (1/4 of final year). 1 credit roughly equates to 10 hours of study time.1 credit roughly equates to 10 hours of study time. You will therefore be expected to spend approx 300 hours working on your project.You will therefore be expected to spend approx 300 hours working on your project. A rough guide:A rough guide: –50 hours writing report / talk. –250 hours doing research work and analysing data. Assuming a 7 hour day this is roughlyAssuming a 7 hour day this is roughly –3.5 days a week for 10 weeks

Is Project Time Timetabled? You are expected to manage your own time spent on research- lab/research time will not be on your timetable.You are expected to manage your own time spent on research- lab/research time will not be on your timetable. Your project must be completed in the autumn term.Your project must be completed in the autumn term. You need to fit your project work around your lectures and course reading.You need to fit your project work around your lectures and course reading. Your project should NOT require you to skip lectures and neglect course reading!Your project should NOT require you to skip lectures and neglect course reading!

What kinds of projects are available? In general a research project involves testing a hypothesis or analysing a research question. Projects can include:In general a research project involves testing a hypothesis or analysing a research question. Projects can include: –Experimental work e.g. field work, data collection, lab-based research. –Analysis of existing data e.g. bioinformatics, data mining, population/behaviour analysis. –Extraction and analysis of data and information from published literature.

Where can I find project details ? Teaching and research faculty will provide project titles and descriptions.Teaching and research faculty will provide project titles and descriptions. These are displayed on the school website as PDF files covering the main research subject areas of the school (excluding chemistry)These are displayed on the school website as PDF files covering the main research subject areas of the school (excluding chemistry) –Evolution behaviour and environment –Genome damage and stability –Biochemistry and molecular biology (including Drug Discovery and BSMS projects) –Neuroscience

What type of project shall I choose? You are free to choose a project from any of the subject areas proving you meet any course requirements indicated by the supervisor.You are free to choose a project from any of the subject areas proving you meet any course requirements indicated by the supervisor. If you are considering a career in Medicine or a non- experimental science-based career, then a critical review or data analysis project may be a good choice.If you are considering a career in Medicine or a non- experimental science-based career, then a critical review or data analysis project may be a good choice. If you are considering a career in academic/ lab- based research then a lab-based or data analysis project would be a good choice.If you are considering a career in academic/ lab- based research then a lab-based or data analysis project would be a good choice.

Choosing projects You are expected to contact supervisors to discuss projects you are interested in (arrange an appointment by do not just turn up!).You are expected to contact supervisors to discuss projects you are interested in (arrange an appointment by do not just turn up!). Please obtain their signatures on the form available on the school website.Please obtain their signatures on the form available on the school website. After discussions with supervisors please rank your choices (1-6).After discussions with supervisors please rank your choices (1-6). DO NOT indicate different projects by the same supervisor, projects are allocated by supervisor and the supervisor will then discuss your preference with you.DO NOT indicate different projects by the same supervisor, projects are allocated by supervisor and the supervisor will then discuss your preference with you.

Choosing projects-tips! Do not leave it until the day forms are due in (week 3 of summer term) to approach supervisors.Do not leave it until the day forms are due in (week 3 of summer term) to approach supervisors. –They may not have time to talk to you. –This doesn’t give them a very good impression of your organisational skills. Think outside of the box!Think outside of the box! –Try not to only pick supervisors you know- many research faculty that you may not know offer very good projects. –Try to be open-minded about the area of research- many projects offer training in widely applicable techniques.