To provide an opportunity to develop skills in research, investigative methods and design in an area of biomedical engineering of interests;
To develop a high level of competence in a particular biomedical engineering topic;
To develop in the conduct of a project requiring individual responsibility and initiative;
To provide guidance in working independently on a project;
To develop and improve skills in project planning and implementation, team working and communication with peers and experts.
Intended learning outcomes:
Able to establish a testable hypothesis or project aim (objective) within a biomedical engineering context.
Competence in project management including planning, scheduling and resource identification.
Mastery of a complex and specialised area of knowledge and skill, including the ability to undertake a critical review of the published literature.
Competence in conducting a research project, including designing and executing a significant piece of independent research work to test a hypothesis or achieve a project aim.
Ability to analyse, evaluate and appraise experimental results.
Competence in writing to accepted academic standards.
Competence in delivering a presentation to a professional standard.
Confidence in oral defence of original work.
Skill in self-management, independent learning, critical thinking, problem-solving and communication, team working.
The module comprises of:
a project selected by the student in consultation with project supervisors;
preparation of an interim report, summarising the main aims of the project, research strategy and literature review related to the project;
a thesis
The process requires you to:
Define agreed project objectives. Projects will generally be part of a larger group research activity and will require the student to work as a team member.
Identify appropriate techniques, project structure and timetable.
Undertake a literature review.
Produce an interim report summarising and reviewing the literature on the project topic.
Undertake a period of research or development work, or a combination of both, according to the project type.
Attend regular progress meetings with the project supervisor.
Describe the project in its entirety in a written dissertation that complies with academic publishing conventions and presents a critical analysis of the results or findings, draws conclusions and make recommendations for further work.
Prepare a poster on the work.
Prepare and deliver a presentation as part of the viva voce.
Teaching and learning:
Students are expected to be self-motivated in conducting their project, enhancing their technical competence and building self- sufficiency.