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BIOL40870

Academic Year 2025/2026

Critical Literature Review (BIOL40870)

Subject:
Biology
College:
Science
School:
Biology & Environment Science
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
15
Module Coordinator:
Dr Simone Marcone
Credit Split by Trimester:
Autumn 10
Spring 5
Trimester:
2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Students will choose a topic and academic supervisor and set about addressing a timely biological research question through a i) systematic literature review and ii) analysis (qualitative and/or quantitative) of information/data. This will culminate in a written report of approximately 4,500 words. The systematic review will involve defining clear objectives and eligibility criteria, identifying and collating relevant studies, assessing their validity, and extracting, analysing and presenting their findings. Students will maintain regular contact with their supervisor who will advise and give constructive feedback as required.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this module, students should have improved their ability to:
- Formulate a research question
- Identify, extract, organise and critically review data
- Analyse results and present in a logical and accurate manner

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

275
Lectures

24
Project Supervision

25
Total

324

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Students will work autonomously but will maintain regular contact with their supervisor who will advise and give constructive feedback as required.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

This module does not contain any laboratory component. While it includes data analysis, it is entirely desk based and involves a review and interpretation of existing data. Students will not generate any new data. This module is intended for students who are not interested in undertaking a research project.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Assignment: Produce a popular science synopsis on a choice of research seminars. students may choose from a variety of media - written, video, audio. Week 12 Spring Graded No
5
 No
Individual Project: Project: Final literature review and data analysis Week 10 Spring Graded No
50
 No
Individual Project: Project: Draft literature review and data analysis Week 7 Spring Graded No
30
 No
Practical Skills Assessment: Continuous Assessment: Engagement with the principal investigator and team Week 1 Autumn, Week 2 Autumn, Week 3 Autumn, Week 4 Autumn, Week 5 Autumn, Week 6 Autumn, Week 7 Autumn, Week 8 Autumn, Week 9 Autumn, Week 10 Autumn, Week 11 Autumn, Week 12 Autumn, Week 1 Spring, Week 2 Spring, Week 3 Spring, Week 4 Spring, Week 5 Spring, Week 6 Spring, Week 7 Spring, Week 8 Spring, Week 9 Spring, Week 10 Spring Graded No
15
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
Repeat Within Two Trimesters
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

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