Course Resources Archive

Cannot be counted with ANB333, BIO333 or NS6222

The biology dissertation gives an opportunity to conduct original research on a specific biological topic, of the student's choice, in considerable depth. It involves the collection, analysis and synthesis of data required to investigate key concepts in biology and enables students to demonstrate critical thinking, as well as proficiency in key and technical skills such as initiative, effective communication, problem solving and time management. This module is undertaken on a relatively self-directed basis. It is a progression from Level 5 studies and should be complemented by taught modules at Level 6. The ability to complete this type of self-directed, critical, and rigorous investigation satisfactorily is generally considered to be a hallmark of graduate competence.

In this module, students undertake an independent piece of scientific research, which will likely include examination of literature, some form of data collection (this could be from fieldwork, lab studies, or collection of metadata) and appropriate analysis, and writing up this project as a scientific paper. The majority of animal biology dissertations will involve conducting a field or lab based project. Sample projects will be provided to students before the start of the module, but, where practicable, students are also able to devise their own topic of study in conjunction with a dissertation supervisor. In agreed cases, dissertation projects could be consultancy reports or take some other written format, such as the production of an educational pack and scientific rationale, to allow the module to be tailored to student interests and aspirations.

A student passing this module should be able to:

1. Identify an appropriate original topic for investigation within the biological sciences and demonstrate a detailed understanding of a coherent new body of knowledge relating to that topic

2. Undertake appropriate research to attain a detailed understanding of the theories and concepts relevant to their particular research topic

3. Critically evaluate information from a range of sources and place their own study in the context of other work on the theme

4. Collect appropriate data, present and analyse those data appropriately and draw conclusions from those data

5.  Sustain a degree of involvement in one major piece of work from initiation to completion, accepting accountability for determining its outcome

6. Work independently and manage time effectively to meet deadlines and produce a piece of work demonstrating high standards of presentation

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.