Assessment method

Thesis / Dissertation A heavily-weighted dissertation not exceeding 10,000 words (excluding bibliography) will constitute 70% of the final mark. Your dissertation will be based on research conducted during a University or Industrial placement. The placement and the project chosen by the student will involve research in fundamental science, or a more industry-oriented topic. It will be conducted at the premises of a participating company or in a University laboratory. Each student will have two supervisors (one from the Company/Academic laboratory and one appointed by the Course Director/Academic Course Coordinator) during this placement to ensure they receive all necessary support. All projects will be approved as being of a suitable standard for the Master’s in Therapeutic Sciences by the Course Director of the course and the degree committee for the Faculty of Biology. It is anticipated that the dissertation will be split into two sections: An 8,000-word laboratory research project write-up consisting of an abstract, introduction, methods, results including tables, figure legends, and conclusions. This constitutes 70% of the project report mark. A distinct, separately assessed section of 2,000-word discussion on a business-related aspect of the project. This could include but is not limited to: Competitor analysis, Designing the three phases of a drug trial around the research project, Target product profile of the indication of the product in project ​This second section will link to the project, but draw on the breadth of taught modules and as such reflect different learning and skills. It will be assessed separately from the laboratory research project write-up, constituting 30% of the overall project report mark. Essays Compulsory components of assessment: Deadlines for submission of written work and dates for examinations: Summative assessment paper that assesses a taught Research Skills Module (5% of the final mark) – for example, this might be a test on statistical or computational methods for data analysis or equivalent. This will be held at the end of the first term. Summative assessment in the form of a Review Essay, not exceeding 5,000 words in length, on a topic approved by the Degree Committee for the Faculty of Biology (25% of the final mark). Students will agree the topic with the Course Director(s)/Academic Course Coordinator; this might typically take the shape of a scientific review article around a current topic (e.g. in the format of ‘Current Opinions’, ‘Insights’ or ‘Frontiers’ journal articles). This will be submitted early January. All essay topics will be approved by the Course Director prior to commencement. Other An end of year research symposium will take place at which students will be required to give oral presentations and produce a research poster. Students may also be required to attend a viva in person in late August or early September.