Forensic Odontology Research Project module (FM50011)

​​Original research is central to advancing the field of forensic odontology. This module gives you the experience and skills to conduct a significant project of your own, from initial planning through to submission. 

​You will receive training in research methodologies, laboratory safety, literature searching, critical appraisal, statistics, and academic writing. Where possible, course organisers will identify opportunities for multi-disciplinary learning with other departments. 

​Working closely with your research supervisor on a weekly basis, you will design and carry out a project in an agreed area of forensic odontology. Topics may include age estimation, disaster victim identification, death investigation, or bite mark analysis. Your project will result in a literature review, a paper written for submission to a peer-reviewed journal, and a full dissertation examined with an external examiner. 

​What you will learn 

​In this module, you will: 

• ​Develop the skills to plan, carry out, and evaluate a significant research project in forensic odontology 
• ​Apply knowledge of safety procedures to working in a scientific laboratory 
• ​Build skills in literature searching, critical appraisal, and accurate synthesis of published research 
• ​Develop academic writing skills for producing a paper suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed journal 
• ​Take responsibility for your own project work and show substantial initiative and autonomy throughout 

​By the end of this module, you will be able to: 

• ​Plan, carry out, and evaluate a significant project of research or investigation in forensic odontology 
• ​Apply knowledge of laboratory safety procedures to your research environment 
• ​Show honesty, integrity, and frankness in the conduct and reporting of scientific research 
• ​Critically appraise published literature and produce an accurate and balanced synthesis 
• ​Take responsibility for your own work and exercise substantial autonomy and initiative throughout the project​

Assignments / assessments

​​Coursework (100%) 

• ​Oral presentation to external examiner (10%) 
• ​Paper for submission to a peer-reviewed journal, including literature review, up to 5,000 words (25%) 
• ​Dissertation and viva examination with external examiner, up to 20,000 words (65%) 

​This module does not have a final exam.​

Teaching methods / timetable

• ​​Generic research training (multi-disciplinary where possible) 
• ​Weekly one-to-one supervision by a research specialist 
• ​Independent research 

​This module involves one-to-one supervision throughout the project. The dissertation must be examined with an external examiner.​