Syllabus

BI1435 Practical research orientation, 15.0 Credits

Subjects

Education cycle

Modules

Advanced study in the main field

Grading scale

Language

Prior knowledge

Objectives

The student gets basic experiences from biological research through practical work in a research environment and is trained to apply methods used by the research group. The student will get basic understanding of the theories behind the methods, in order to understand how and why they are used.

After completing the course, the student shall be able to:

• apply one or more methods within the relevant research topic
• understand the theoretical background to the applied methods
• understand the relation between a scientific question, the methods used to answer it, and data collection
• analyze data and place them in a basic scientific context
• have insight into the research process and the work procedures of a research group
• communicate the research project in a basic scientific context and to the general public, and relate the research to the UN developmental goals

Content

Subject-related content:

The course is completed as an individual project. The student identifies which subject and methods that they are interested in and contacts the course leader and a researcher who can supervise. At the start of the course, student and supervisor will identify an individual project and write a work plan. The student will be introduced to relevant safety protocols. After introduction to relevant methods, the students will work under supervision in their project. Literature studies related to the project and the methods are performed. The project is completed with a short, written report in English and oral presentation [for the research group?]. The report should comprise introduction, materials and methods, results and a discussion in relation to the results and the potential and limitations of the applied methods. A popular scientific summary is also included where the research is related, if possible, to the UN developmental goals in order to put the research in a greater perspective, and for the students to train their ability to communicate their research to the public.

Implementation:

The course will employ different teaching methods to facilitate the learning and discussions of the students through:

Project work

Proficiency training

Literature studies

Presentations

The course is focused on the following general skills: *

Critical thinking

Problem solving

Scientific methods

Oral communication

Written communication

Field or/and lab practice

The following components are compulsory:

Introductory meeting with course leader. Introduction to safetry protocols for laboratory and/or field work and risk analysis. Individual supervision is compulsory.

Grading form

Formats and requirements for examination

For a passing grade, active participation in a project, an accepted report written in English or Swedish, and an accepted oral presentation.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.

• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.

• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.

• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Additional information

Responsible department

Department of Plant Protection Biology