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BOTN40220

Academic Year 2025/2026

Research Project (BOTN40220)

Subject:
Botany
College:
Science
School:
Biology & Environment Science
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
30
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Rainer Melzer
Trimester:
Summer
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module involves the planning, execution and implementation of a Plant Biology and/or Plant Biotechnology research project that will be carried out independently by the student either in an academic research laboratory or a company research laboratory. This is an important component of the programme and enables students to apply some of the skills acquired during trimester one and two, as well as introducing them to new skills and knowledge, in a research focussed context. A period of 15 weeks in the Summer Trimester is devoted to project work. On completion of the research project the student will produce a Minor Thesis and make an oral presentation of their findings.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module the student will have carried out an independent scientific research project and developed a wide range of skills essential to modern Plant Biology and/or Plant Biotechnology. The student will learn how to develop a coherent strategy for answering a specific research question; appreciate the wider application of any skills obtained, how to apply different techniques and approaches to address and overcome problems as they arise during research. The student will gain experience in formulating hypotheses and in experimental design. They will also gain experience in analysing, interpreting and presenting their results in both written and oral formats.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Laboratories

750
Total

750

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Key teaching and learning approaches used in the module will include

Critical writing
Problem-based learning
Laboratory/Field research
Oral presentations

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Thesis/Dissertation: Draft thesis. Week 10 Graded No
15
 No
Individual Project: Oral presentation of the research project. Week 11 Graded No
15
 No
Thesis/Dissertation: Final thesis. Week 12 Graded No
70
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback and guidance will be given to individual students during the course of the research project.

Name Role
Dr Nicholas Brereton Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Joanna Kacprzyk Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Mortaza Khodaeiaminjan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Olga Lastovetsky Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Paul McCabe Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
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