Bioscience Research Project for Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology

BIOL31260 Bioscience Research Project for Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology 30 Full year Undergraduate Level 3 Ruth Grady Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Last part of a Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 15.0 The final year project is an opportunity to undertake a research project in an area of interest, whilst potentially contributing to cutting-edge scientific research. There are a wide range of project types available, depending on supervisor availability and previous academic performance. The final year project is an opportunity to undertake a research project in an area of interest, whilst potentially contributing to cutting-edge scientific research. There are a wide range of project types available, depending on supervisor availability and previous academic performance:•    Bioscience Research Skills Project Take part in a piece of original research in a specialist research laboratory. This may involve laboratory work, data-analysis, methods research or any skills useful for laboratory research. A recent project tested the effects of anti-viral drugs on reducing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.•    Field Based Project Design and carry out a piece of original research in the field. A recent project took place at Dunham Massey looking at Deer behaviour.•    Bioinformatics/Biomodelling Project Carry out research using computer-based approaches. This may be achieved by running other software, or querying online data resources, or it may be done by designing and writing your own software. A recent project identified the areas of interaction between specific proteins by analysing data on protein structures, which is available in a protein database. Interaction between proteins governs the majority of biological processes.•    Bioscience Stakeholder Opinion Project Students identify stakeholders and gather their opinions on a topic relevant to the Biosciences. The topic would be similar in scope to a parliamentary ‘Green Paper’ (consultation documents to gather opinions/ feedback on policy or proposals). The upshot of a Green Paper is to produce a ’White Paper’ (an authoritative report or guide that informs readers about a complex issue and is meant to help readers understand an issue, solve a problem, or make a decision). A recent project looked at understanding opinions regarding plant-based food diets.•    Environmental Sustainability Project Students will act as consultant(s) who will advise and /or implement actions and directions a research lab (or other settings as appropriate) can take to lower the single-use plastics burden, and/or other environmental targets as recommended during the project. A recent project looked at plastic usage and alternative procurement in undergraduate teaching practical classes.•    Science Communication Projects (Separate Unit BIOL31270)These projects involve communication of science using a particular mode (written, oral, online etc) to a specific audience/target group.  All SCPs require the creation of a resource such as a teaching activity/ online resource /creative piece, which is then evaluated for its impact on the target audience.The resources are usually in one of three distinct flavours, involving the creation and evaluation of e.g. •    an online resource for educational purposes or the communication of science in more general terms. This might support the teaching (or research) activities of your supervisor in the same way that a lab project supports the research of the supervisor, but resources can also be developed for schools, the museum or general public.  Examples include virtual experiments, problem solving resources, revision aids for course units. •    educational resources or activities for schools/colleges or undergraduates, events at the museum or in the wider community (general public). Examples include public engagement activities for Open Days, Museum visits, or Science Week (March); games to enhance problem-solving in a particular topic (for tutorials, medical or dental students); interactive lessons.  •    a resource that may make use of creative media (eg artwork / music/ presentation posters etc) that may be targeted to a general audience, the function of which may be to entertain, inform, or inspire. •    For the report write-up of the evaluation, students can choose to include a written article in the style of New Scientist OR for A level Review, to showcase their communication skills further.A recent project involved creating an original artwork comic portraying the domestication of dogs. During the final year students will be allocated to one of the project types described above, and will undertake project work in a topic and manner agreed by their supervisor. The Projects aim to develop research skills, both bioscience and generic, promote independent learning, enhance the employability of students, and enrich the student experience.Outcomes for students are that they should:• learn to work independently or as part of a group/team as required (research group, for example) to address a particular bioscience question or topic• be able to search for and critically review the literature in a particular field and relate your own research to that in the existing literature• develop critical and creative thinking skills (develop ideas, data analysis and evaluation skills, be able to form judgements)• gain experience in the scientific method and develop problem solving skills; for example, how to design experiments or develop strategies to test hypotheses and/or evaluate your output• develop communication skills• write a project report (or equivalent)• develop oral presentation skills (tutorial talk and/or to supervisor)• liaise with supervisor, other staff and students, as appropriate• acquire additional project-specific skills as appropriate (such as various lab or IT skills)  Cog Neuro Projects are worth 30 credits. Students will be allocated a super in the firstsemester of the final year. Students are advised to contact their allocated supervisor as soon as possible; supervisors will discuss the type of project with the student and the bioscience topic on which it is based.Semester 5: There may be supporting seminars to attend in this semester for some of the project types (ESP, BSP and BIOL31270)Semester 6: project workProject work takes place within this semester weeks 1-9. Students should aim to finish project work by the Easter break to leave time to analyse results and write up the report.  0 Other 100% Final report and separate resource if appropriate (Semester 6; Supervisor and moderator)Report (short paper) consisting of e.g.85% of unit mark. Standard Report (17 pages): Abstract (0.5 page); Introduction to the bioscience and aims (4 pages); methods (3 pages); results (4 pages) and discussion (4 pages); Personal reflection (1 page)OR60% of unit mark Science Communication Output Report Type A (17 pages): Abstract (0.5 page); Introduction to the bioscience and include an introduction to science communication and aims (4 pages) ; methods (3 pages); results (4 pages) and discussion (4 pages); personal reflection (1 page) PLUS 25% of unit mark for the creative resource outputOR60% of unit mark Science Communication Output Report Type B  (17 pages): Abstract (0.5 page); Introduction to the, and include an introduction to science communication and aims (4 pages); A Level Review article OR NS piece (3 pages); methods (2 pages); results (3 pages) and discussion (3 pages); personal reflection (1 page) PLUS 15% of unit mark for the creative resource output15% of unit mark: Project performance (Semester 6; Supervisor only)<ul><li>Use of initiative  </li><li>Student input to planning & design of the project</li><li>Mastery of skills (if appropriate)</li><li>Organisation of work  </li><li>Communication with supervisor, team, other staff etc</li><li>Reliability, effort & persistence</li><li>Completion of Ethics Survey</li><li>Completion of the personal reflection (in the report) </li></ul> Students can expect to receive formative feedback on the introduction, 1 page of methods and 1 page results prior to submission of the Semester 6 report. Supervisors can also comment on the New Scientist or ALR piece prior to submission where offered, and the resource.Feedback will only be forthcoming if dates for obtaining feedback are agreed with supervisors and are met. N Project supervision 30 0 270