Module manager: Dr Andrew Smith
Email: A.J.Smith1@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
Continued progression on MBIOL from Level 2 to Level 3 (minimum average of 65%)
| BMSC3399 | Extended Research Project Preparation |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module will involve taught classes covering practical research skills in the laboratory, with students working in small teams to carry out a defined research question. Throughout the module, students will: collect, analyse and interpret experimental data; carry out literature searches, reading and reviewing this literature to understand the scientific background to these data; present their research findings in a scientific written report and in a presentation. The techniques learnt and applied will be linked, as they will be different approaches to obtaining data that address the same research question. The module will use an integration of collected data from various research techniques to generate a more holistic understanding.
Students will advance their understanding of current research techniques and methods used in the field of Biomedical Sciences. Students will also learn how to link different experimental approaches to address a research question.
Throughout the module learners will be exposed to interpreting experimental data, literature searching, reading and reviewing and report writing with the aim to:
1. Make use of a range of current biological research techniques, along with understanding how to use the data from these various methods.
2. Combine data from distinct experimental approaches addressing a specific research question, to obtain a better understanding and more robust findings.
3. Advance their skills in the presentation of scientific data, both written and verbal.
4. Develop the professional skills required to be active producers of scientific data and ideas, beyond simply making use of such data and ideas.
On successful completion of the module students will have:
1. Apply and integrate knowledge and skills gained earlier in their programme to generate, analyse, and interpret complex multidisciplinary datasets relevant to the discipline.
2. Critically evaluate experimental results in the context of current scientific literature, identifying limitations, sources of error, and potential future directions.
3. Communicate scientific findings clearly and accurately, which combines research data of a range of different types.
4. Apply digital and information literacy to source, manage, and presenting data and information accurately and responsibly.
5. Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to obtain scientific data and present it in a small-team working setting, including showing scientific findings in a live presentation.
Project formulation, data collection and analysis, presentation of data in the forms of a report and poster.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fieldwork | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Practical | 20 | 4 | 80 |
| Tutorial | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Private study hours | 114 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 86 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
This includes associated reading, project planning, analysis of experimental data, writing of results.
Formative feedback is available in the data-collecting practical classes, e.g. cell viability and RT-PCR: this is in the format of comments and guidance when collecting viability data, plus feedback on preparation and calculations for cell dilution and stock concentration work; also informal written feedback when students are provided RT-PCR sequencing results data.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Report | Addressing a specific research question; individual writing assessment | 70 |
| Poster Presentation | Group activity | 30 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
For resit of the poster presentation, this would be either a solo presentation or in the unlikely event of there being multiple resits required, in 2’s or in 3’s akin to the normal assessment.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team