Module manager: Dr Andrew Smith
Email: A.J.Smith1@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
Continued progression on MBIOL from Year 2 (Level 5) to Year 3 (Level 6) (minimum average of 65% at Year 2 (Level 5)).
| BMSC3398 | Practical Research Skills |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module is a preparatory research project, in which students carry out a hypothesis-driven review of the scientific literature in a specific field, while also designing a research project to be carried out within that field. This will give the opportunity to gain a thorough grounding in a specific field of scientific research and design a project that will be carried out the following year (final year of the MBiol course), with the same project supervisor. In addition to a written dissertation (and project proposal), the findings of this year’s literature-based research will be presented in the form of a short oral presentation.
- Plan and implement a comprehensive literature search using a range of literature searching tools.
- Critically evaluate and synthesize information from different published sources relevant to the topic.
- Write a well-structured literature review.
- Write a well-designed project proposal.
- Present the literature research findings in a short presentation.
- Manage time effectively, achieve objectives set and work independently.
On successful completion of the module students will have:
1. Critically evaluate and integrate information in their topic area from a range of published sources, from the appropriate use of literature search tools including online databases.
2. Effectively communicate complex scientific ideas with clarity and critical insight in a written report, drawing on appropriate and current literature to explain key concepts, justify methodological choices, and situate the work within its broader research field.
3. Communicate literature‑based findings effectively through an oral presentation and defend the work with clarity and critical insight in response to questions.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
4. Effectively organise of time, setting specific research objectives at regular meetings with supervisor.
5. Clearly communicate progress upon project objectives, report back what was found out/done at meetings with supervisor.
6. Develop planning skills by identifying specific research objectives, justify these and draw up plans to achieve these.
Students will have the opportunity to develop and utilise the following skills: project and time management, research study design, research skills, literature searching, critical analysis of the literature, data handling and analysis, scientific report writing and oral communication.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision Meetings | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| presentation | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Private study hours | 188 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 12 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
This includes searching and reading scientific research literature, analysis, writing a literature review and preparation of an oral presentation.
Routine monitoring by individual supervisors. Drafts of written reviews and project proposals to receive comments from supervisors before formal assessment.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 10 minute presentation of main findings | 20 |
| Project | Experimental project proposal | 40 |
| Project | Literature review | 40 |
| 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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