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SM4501: MEDICAL SCIENCES HONOURS RESEARCH PROJECT (2023-2024)

Last modified: 23 Jul 2024 10:43


Course Overview

  • Final year Honours project offers an excellent opportunity to carry out cutting-edge literature or lab-based scientific research.
  • With projects from disciplines throughout the School of Medicine, Medical Science and Nutrition to choose from, this is an opening to follow your interests working with staff and leading researchers.
  • The project forms the zenith of your degree and fosters development of the skills and knowledge gained throughout your degree, as well as heightening analytical and critical thinking abilities.
  • The opportunity to be part of a novel, yet-to-be published research project can be career-defining and provides experience to prepare you for the future.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 4
Term Second Term Credit Points 60 credits (30 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Derryck Shewan

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Either Programme Level 4 or Programme Level 5
  • One of Anatomy (AN) or Biochemistry (BC) or Biomedical Sciences (BM) or Biotechnology (BT) or Developmental Biology (DB) or Genetics (GN) or Immunology (IM) or Molecular Biology (MB) or Microbiology (MC) or Pharmacology (PA) or Physiology (PY) or Sports Science (SR)
  • Any Undergraduate Programme

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

  • Final year Honours project offers an excellent opportunity to carry out cutting-edge lab-based or non-lab-based scientific research.
  • With projects from disciplines throughout the School of Medicine, Medical Science and Nutrition to choose from, this is an opening to follow your interests working with staff and leading researchers.
  • Lists of lab-based or non-lab-based projects are provided at the start of the final year. There are typically up to 250 projects to choose from and most can be done by more than one student, so literally something for everyone.
  • Projects are assessed by a written thesis (7,500 word limit for lab projects, 10,000 word limit for non-lab projects) worth 80% of the grade, and day-to-day performance worth 20% of the grade. The performance includes a short Powerpoint presentation at the end of the project for all students and a poster presentation mid-project for students taking non-lab projects.
  • The project forms the zenith of your degree and fosters development of the skills and knowledge gained throughout your degree, as well as heightening analytical and critical thinking abilities.
  • The opportunity to be part of a novel, yet-to-be published research project can be career-defining and provides experience to prepare you for the future.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Project Performance

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualApplyStudents will be able to apply subject knowledge and understanding to address familiar and unfamiliar problems
FactualAnalyseStudents will be able to analyse, synthesise and summarise information critically, including published research or reports
ProceduralEvaluateStudents will be able to design, plan, conduct and report on investigations, which may involve primary or secondary data (for example from a survey database)
ProceduralEvaluateStudents will be able to record, collate and analyse data, working individually or in a group, using techniques in the field and/or laboratory that are most appropriate for the subject under study.
ProceduralUnderstandStudents will demonstrate competence and progressive development in the basic and core experimental skills appropriate to the course of study
ReflectionApplyStudents will develop the skills necessary for independent lifelong learning (for example, working independently, time management, organisational skills)
ReflectionUnderstandStudents will demonstrate the ability to think independently, set tasks and solve problems

Project Report/Dissertation

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 80
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Word count: 7,500 - 10,000

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualApplyStudents will be able to apply subject knowledge and understanding to address familiar and unfamiliar problems
FactualAnalyseStudents will be able to analyse, synthesise and summarise information critically, including published research or reports
ProceduralAnalyseStudents will be able to prepare, process, interpret and present data, using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques, statistical courses, spreadsheets and presenting data visually
ProceduralApplyStudents will be able to cite and reference work in an appropriate manner, ensuring academic integrity and the avoidance of plagiarism
ProceduralCreateStudents will effectively communicate their subject to a variety of audiences, using a range of formats and approaches and employing appropriate scientific language and academic writing.
ProceduralEvaluateStudents will be able to design, plan, conduct and report on investigations, which may involve primary or secondary data (for example from a survey database)
ProceduralEvaluateStudents will be able to record, collate and analyse data, working individually or in a group, using techniques in the field and/or laboratory that are most appropriate for the subject under study.

Formative Assessment

Poster Presentation

Assessment Type Formative Weighting
Assessment Weeks 29 Feedback Weeks 29

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualAnalyseStudents will be able to analyse, synthesise and summarise information critically, including published research or reports
ProceduralAnalyseStudents will be able to prepare, process, interpret and present data, using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques, statistical courses, spreadsheets and presenting data visually
ProceduralApplyStudents will be able to cite and reference work in an appropriate manner, ensuring academic integrity and the avoidance of plagiarism
ProceduralCreateStudents will effectively communicate their subject to a variety of audiences, using a range of formats and approaches and employing appropriate scientific language and academic writing.
ProceduralUnderstandStudents will demonstrate competence and progressive development in the basic and core experimental skills appropriate to the course of study
ReflectionApplyStudents will develop the skills necessary for independent lifelong learning (for example, working independently, time management, organisational skills)

Oral Presentation: Group or Individual

Assessment Type Formative Weighting
Assessment Weeks 33 Feedback Weeks 33

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualAnalyseStudents will be able to analyse, synthesise and summarise information critically, including published research or reports
ProceduralAnalyseStudents will be able to prepare, process, interpret and present data, using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques, statistical courses, spreadsheets and presenting data visually
ProceduralApplyStudents will be able to cite and reference work in an appropriate manner, ensuring academic integrity and the avoidance of plagiarism
ProceduralCreateStudents will effectively communicate their subject to a variety of audiences, using a range of formats and approaches and employing appropriate scientific language and academic writing.
ProceduralUnderstandStudents will demonstrate competence and progressive development in the basic and core experimental skills appropriate to the course of study
ReflectionApplyStudents will develop the skills necessary for independent lifelong learning (for example, working independently, time management, organisational skills)

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualApplyStudents will be able to apply subject knowledge and understanding to address familiar and unfamiliar problems
ProceduralEvaluateStudents will be able to design, plan, conduct and report on investigations, which may involve primary or secondary data (for example from a survey database)
ProceduralUnderstandStudents will demonstrate competence and progressive development in the basic and core experimental skills appropriate to the course of study
FactualAnalyseStudents will be able to analyse, synthesise and summarise information critically, including published research or reports
ReflectionUnderstandStudents will demonstrate the ability to think independently, set tasks and solve problems
ProceduralEvaluateStudents will be able to record, collate and analyse data, working individually or in a group, using techniques in the field and/or laboratory that are most appropriate for the subject under study.
ProceduralAnalyseStudents will be able to prepare, process, interpret and present data, using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques, statistical courses, spreadsheets and presenting data visually
ProceduralCreateStudents will effectively communicate their subject to a variety of audiences, using a range of formats and approaches and employing appropriate scientific language and academic writing.
ProceduralApplyStudents will be able to cite and reference work in an appropriate manner, ensuring academic integrity and the avoidance of plagiarism
ReflectionApplyStudents will develop the skills necessary for independent lifelong learning (for example, working independently, time management, organisational skills)

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