Module manager: Professor Michael Rappolt
Email: m.rappolt@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
None
FOOD3050
This module is not approved as a discovery module
In this module you will choose a research topic relating to the interests of the School or suggested by industrial companies. You will complete a literature review and design a research protocol or study, before conducting an original investigation, experimental or analytical research using the facilities of the School. After analysing your data, you will write up and present your results in the form of a conference-style poster and report.
This module is designed to help you develop the core skills needed to carry out independent research in food science or nutrition. You will learn how to explore a topic in depth, plan and carry out a research project, and communicate your findings clearly and professionally.
On completion of this module you will:
SSLO1: Select critically review relevant scientific literature and identify a researchable question.
SSO2: Design and implement a scientific investigation in line with professional standards.
SSLO3: Present results in a clear and concise manner, using statistical methods as appropriate.
SSLO4: Discuss the relevance and significance of the results and draw appropriate conclusions.
SSLO5: Produce a report of the research in a specified length and format. SSLO6: Deliver a poster presentation of the research and respond to questions.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
SKLO1: Critical thinking: The ability to weigh up different arguments and perspectives, using supporting evidence to form opinions, arguments, theories and ideas.
SKLO2: Problem solving and Analytical skills: The ability to take a logical approach to solving problems; resolving issues by tackling from different angles, using both analytical and creative skills. The ability to understand, interpret, analyse and manipulate numerical data.
SKLO3: Academic skills: Reflection, Presentation skills, Academic writing, Academic language, Information searching, and Referencing.
SKLO4: Information, data and media literacies: The ability to find, evaluate, organise and share information across a variety of formats and media, ensuring the reliability and integrity both of the sources that you use and of the ideas that they help you to generate.
SKLO5: Ethics: The ability to understand the moral principles that govern a person's behaviour or the conducting of an activity in any given context.
SKLO6: Time management, planning and organisation: The ability to prioritise, work efficiently and productively and to manage your time well in order to meet deadlines.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poster session | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| Supervision | 12 | 1 | 12 |
| Lecture | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Seminar | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Private study hours | 375 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 25 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 400 | ||
Meetings with your supervisor
Week 1-2: Deciding on the Research Topic and first brainstorming.
Week 3-11: Supporting the Execution of your project (data acquisition).
Week 18: Feedback on your Introduction Exercise.
Week 21: Feedback on your Poster.
Week 24: Feedback on your Draft.
Meeting your Module Manager on request.
Academic writing support on request with Royal Literary Fund Fellows:
Meetings with your supervisor Week 1-2: Deciding on the Research Topic and first brainstorming.
Week 3-11: Supporting the Execution of your project (data acquisition).
Week 18: Feedback on your Introduction Exercise. This includes reflecting on (i) research back-ground of the project, (ii) carry out a literature review on the topic, and (iii) summarising the research question of the project.
Week 21: Feedback on your Poster.
Week 24: Feedback on your Draft. Meeting your Module Manager on request Academic writing support on request with Royal Literary Fund Fellows.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Coursework | 70 |
| Coursework | Coursework | 20 |
| Coursework | Coursework | 10 |
| 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
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team