Module manager: Qian Wu
Email: Q.N.Wu@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
Entry into year 3 (Level 6) of an MBiol degree programme offered by the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology
| BIOL3398 | Research Tools and Applications |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module forms an integral part of the MBiol programmes within the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology. It offers students the opportunity to work closely with an academic supervisor to explore a research area in depth and to develop a strong foundation for their extended research project. Across the module, students will meet one‑to‑one with their supervisor to identify a suitable review topic, refine a focused research question, and plan a clear structure for their literature review. Outside of these meetings, students will independently research the scientific literature and develop a substantial written review that critically evaluates the current state of knowledge in their chosen field. Completing this module will not only strengthen students’ understanding of a specialised research area but will also equip them with essential skills in literature analysis, scientific writing, and project planning. These skills serve as vital preparation for the six‑month, 90‑credit research project undertaken in Year 4 (level 7) with the same supervisor.
The module is designed to help students develop the core skills required for planning and undertaking an extended research project. With guidance from their supervisor and through independent study, students will learn to plan and conduct effective literature searches using a range of research tools and databases. They will critically evaluate and synthesise information from diverse scientific sources to produce a well‑structured and coherent literature review. In doing so, students will also learn to define clear research objectives, manage their time efficiently, and work independently to meet agreed milestones. Finally, students will present and discuss their findings in a viva, demonstrating their ability to articulate key concepts, justify their interpretations, and respond to academic questions with confidence.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Identify and articulate a focused research question within a defined research topic, selecting and applying appropriate online databases and search strategies to gather relevant literature.
2. Apply advanced information‑literacy skills by locating, evaluating, and selecting high‑quality academic sources using appropriate digital research tools and databases.
3. Critically analyse, compare, and synthesise published scientific evidence to demonstrate a coherent understanding of how key findings, concepts, methodologies and ethical concerns relate within the chosen research field.
4. Communicate scientific ideas effectively by presenting a clear and engaging explanation of literature‑based findings, discussing key concepts and methods, and defend a position confidently.
5. Manage independent research task by organising time effectively, setting achievable goals, monitoring progress, and reporting outcomes in line with academic expectations.
Students will be required to carry out a review of the literature in a scientific area that is relevant to their degree, of interest to them, and being actively researched by a group(s) within the School. In addition to developing skills required of a researcher, a major objective is to identify questions or hypotheses that can be answered or tested as part of an extended research project. This module will be assessed on the basis of the quality of the written literature review and a poster presentation. Students will also be required to attend a range of research seminars delivered by external speakers in the Faculty of Biological Sciences that are relevant to their programme of study. They will also be expected to maintain and present notes on research seminars.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision Meetings | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Lecture | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 184 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 16 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
This includes searching and reading scientific research literature (related to both project and research seminars), analysis of data, writing a literature review and preparation for oral examination.
Students will meet with their supervisor for a minimum of four hours over the course of the project. These meetings provide opportunities for structured discussion and formative feedback on their progress, research ideas, and developing outputs. Students are expected to reflect on the feedback received from each meeting and to apply it appropriately to the ongoing studying and writing development of their review. To support these meetings, students must complete a Project Supervision Meeting Record form before each meeting. This form helps them summarise recent work, plan discussion points, and document any challenges or next steps. Supervisors will use these records to monitor progress and maintain an ongoing account of the student’s research activity throughout the project. Supervisor will also comment on the draft of final literature review (50% of the content). The final project meeting offers a formative opportunity for the summative oral examination (viva)
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Project | Literature Review | 70 |
| Viva | Oral examination and Project Execution Mark | 30 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
• Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
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