2020/21 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

MICR3080 Microbiology Research Project

40 Credits Class Size: 60

Module manager: Dr Susan Whittle
Email: S.R.Whittle@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2020/21

Pre-requisite qualifications

Alternative pre-requisite: BIOL2301 Intermediate Skills for BIological Sciences.

Pre-requisites

MICR2320 Skills for Microbiologists 2

Mutually Exclusive

MICR3110 Medical Micro Research Project

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Objectives

- Managing Knowledge: sourcing / selecting / interpreting data, data evaluation / problem solving.
- Technical Competence: laboratory techniques, experimental design, analysing data.
- Managing Self: planning, time management.
- Managing Interrelationships: teamwork, decision taking;
- Learning from others: sharing, receiving critique.
- Presentation Skills: lab reports, poster.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the module students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a professional working attitude in a microbiology/ immunology/virology laboratory;
- Develop a strategy for undertaking a specific research project;
- Demonstrate communication skills;
- Use scientific literature;
- Analyse, process and interpret data;
- foster a sound approach to microbiological research.

Skills outcomes

Managing Knowledge - Assimilation of information; Sourcing/selecting/ interpreting; Data evaluation/problem solving; Data presentation.

Technical Competence - Laboratory techniques (Laboratory Projects); Experimental design; Accuracy; Analysing data; IT skills.
Managing Self - Planning; Time Management.

Managing Inter-relationships - Team work (Laboratory Projects); Decision taking; Learning from others (Laboratory Projects); Sharing (Laboratory Projects); Receiving critique.
Presentation skills - Reports; Poster.

Syllabus

All students attend a unit emphasising the application of good laboratory practice especially with respect to safety and the correct use of laboratory equipment.

Depending on the type of project, an appropriate combination of practical work in advanced microbiological research, designing experimental protocols, carrying out research investigations and interpreting experimental data; literature searching, reading and reviewing; report writing; computer work; developing oral and written presentational skills.

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Supervision 0 180 180
Independent Learning 0 100 100
Lecture 6 1 6
Seminar 14 1 14
Tutorial 20 1 20
Private study hours 80
Total Contact hours 320
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 400

Private study

Students should note that the following information is for guidance only. The actual time required for the various elements will vary between students.

Private study will include report writing, editing and poster preparation up to 80 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Projects to be largely delivered in Semester 2.
- Meetings with supervisor throughout.
- Initial report / project plan
- Draft report (critiqued but not formally assessed)
- Final report
- Poster.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Report Final report 70
Report Formative - first draft and brief summary 0
Practical Process - assessment of laboratory / library skills 20
Poster Presentation poster assessment (online) 10
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 100

Formative assessments: initial report submitted to supervisor for feedback; draft project report (including grant proposal where applicable) submitted to supervisor for feedback. Failure to complete the final report to a pass standard will result in a V code being appended to the final module mark.

Reading List

Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list

Last updated: 13/11/2020

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team