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Module - LIFE3063 - Template - Research Skills Project B: Evolving New Proteins in the Lab: From Jellyfish to Confetti Mice
ProgrammeSoLS - Life Sciences Modules Database (Level 3)
Year
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Year 2026/2027
Accrediting Bodies
Module CodeLIFE3063
Credits40
Total Credits:
 
40.00
 
Level:
 
3
 
Target Students:
 
(C101) Biology; (C301) Zoology; (C401) Genetics; (C420) Human Genetics. Available to BSc students with interests in pursuing research careers.
 
Summary Of Content:

To train students in important practical skills in modern biological sciences, give them experience and training in conceiving and planning experiments, and time management. This will form an important base for the final year MSci project where they plan and execute a project in a research laboratory, or for BSc students planning on undertaking a PhD or MRes degree after graduation. In general students will be given a question to address and a list of materials and equipment available. They will then plan a series of experiments to answer the posed question. Following peer-led review of these plans, they will execute the experiments. Journal clubs and training workshops on the methods used are run throughout the course. Results and analysis are presented as a short report (~3000 words) with associated figures. This also builds upon statistical and informatics training given in the second year. Students then produce a separate research proposal  to answer a different (but related) question – this proposal is assessed as part of the course. This combination of a first formative plan, experimental work, assessed write-up and final assessed research proposal will build a crucial scientific skill set and ready the students for their fourth year project where they plan and execute a larger piece of individual practical work in a research laboratory. Laboratory work will be carried out in groups, whereas the writing shall be carried out independently.
 
 
 

To train students in important practical skills in modern biological sciences, give them experience and training in conceiving and planning experiments, and time management. This will form an important base for the final year MSci project where they plan and execute a project in a research laboratory, or for BSc students planning on undertaking a PhD or MRes degree after graduation.In general students will be given a question to address and a list of materials and equipment available. They will then plan a series of experiments to answer the posed question. Following peer-led review of these plans, they will execute the experiments. Journal clubs and training workshops on the methods used are run throughout the course.Results and analysis are presented as a short report (~3000 words) with associated figures. This also builds upon statistical and informatics training given in the second year. Students then produce a separate plan to answer a different (but related) question – this final plan is assessed as part of the course.This combination of a first formative plan, experimental work, assessed write-up and final assessed plan will build a crucial scientific skill set and ready the students for their fourth year project where they plan and execute a larger piece of individual practical work in a research laboratory.
 
Education Aims:
 
Offering School:
 
Life Sciences
 
Convenor:
 
 
 
Name
Dr Alan Huett
 
 
 
 
Semester
Full Year UK
 
 
 
Requisites:
 
N/A
 
Additional Requirements:
 
 
 
Condition
Only available for students studying Biology, Zoology and Genetics
 
 
Method and Frequency of Class:
 
 
 
ActivityNumber of WeeksNumber of sessionsDuration of a session
Laboratory
 
0.00 week
 
 
 
1.5 days per week of laboratory or workshop time per week, during the Autumn term. Spring term dedicated to analysis and writing up.
 
Method of Assessment:
 
Assessment TypeWeightRequirements
Coursework 1
25.00
Effort/engagement in the Laboratory and workshops - performance/ongoing assessment 
Coursework 1
25.00
Effort/engagement in the Laboratory and workshops - performance/ongoing assessment 
Coursework 2
50.00
3000 word (maximum) write up, with figures (references, figure titles and legends not included in the word count)
Coursework 2
50.00
3000 word (maximum) write up, with figures (references, figure titles and legends not included in the word count)
Coursework 3
25.00
Submission of 1000 word (maximum) final research proposal (references, figure titles and legends not included in the word count)
Coursework 3
25.00
Submission of 1000 word (maximum) final research proposal (references, figure titles and legends not included in the word count)
 
 
1.5 days per week of laboratory or workshop time per week, during the Autumn term. Spring term dedicated to analysis and writing up.
 
Assessment Period:
 
Assessed by end of Spring Semester
 
     
 
Learning Outcome:
 

Students will gain confidence and experience in conceiving, planning and writing up their own experiments. They will also learn the importance of flexible thinking and responding to real-world results and set-backs in their current and future experiments. Through revising and discussing their planned experiments they will establish understanding of best practice in a given field and the importance of experimental design and statistics.

They will also gain experience in producing short, detailed scientific reports and figures, as well as the literature related to their project area. This will include what is known, what can be determined from their own data, and what it would be possible to find out with future experiments.


Knowledge and understanding
A1. the relationship between the life and environmental sciences and other disciplines and forms of knowledge (t,l,p,a)

Intellectual skills - the ability to:
B1. critically analyse and interpret published information and data (l)
B2. think independently while giving due weight to the arguments of others (l,p,a)
B3. understand complex ideas and relate them to specific problems or questions (t,p,a)
B4. acquire substantial quantities of information systematically, process it effectively, and draw appropriate conclusions (t,l,p,a)
B5. make and record accurate observations and measurements (l,p)

Practical skills - the ability to:
C3. write and construct scientific documents (e.g. papers, reports, posters etc) using appropriate styles, conventions, and terminology (t,l,p)
C4. work safely in the laboratory and the field and to assess related safety issues (t,l,p,a)
C6. undertake practical experimental work using appropriate equipment and instruments (t,l,p,a)

Transferable/key skills - the ability to:
D1. work productively with others (t,l,p,a)
D2. communicate effectively in writing (l,p,a)
D4. organise and manage your working time, schedule tasks, and meet deadlines (t,l,p,a)
D5. use and access information and communication technology (l,p)
D6. reflect upon and assess your own progress, strengths and weaknesses (l,p,a)
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