NBIK13014U Major Subject Project

Volume 2017/2018
Education

MSc Programme in Biochemistry

Content

To formulate a scientific project in a form similar to writing a grant application for an experimental project of a scale corresponding to one years full time work. The paper should contain the relevant literature background and a description of the goal, relevance and importance of the project as well as a discussion of what new knowledge the project will provide. Furthermore, the planned experiments and methods should be described and their relevance discussed including the requirement and availability of advanced equipment. A time schedule for the project should be included.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge:
The student will obtain knowledge of a specific research area which forms the basis for a research project including relevant background literature and different experimental and theoretical techniques.

Skills:
Based on original research literature and discussions with the supervisor the student will be able to formulate an experimental research project, choose and evaluate relevant experimental techniques and argue for the relevance of the project. The students can present the research project in a format that resembles a grant application.

Competences:
The student can:

  • independently formulate and analyse a biochemical problem
  • think, argue and plan a major scientific project that is possible to carry out in practice and that will result in new knowledge in the research area
  • convincingly interpret scientific data and evaluate the strengths and limitations of the proposed methods and use similar or revised methods
  • formulate the project in writing in a clear and mature language using the correct scientific terminology, and demonstrate an extensive overview of the research area

See Absalon.

Self-study under guidance.
The major subject project is mandatory for master students in Biochemistry and the paper must be submitted before the experimental part of the thesis is initiated.
Download guidelines from the course homepage in Absalon.
Generally the Major Subject Project supervisor will be the same as the thesis supervisor. Therefore the student must make sure to find a thesis project before beginning the Major Subject Project. If the student has not yet found a thesis project supervisor the student must make sure to find another supervisor for the Major Subject Project.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 1
  • Guidance
  • 15
  • Project work
  • 190
  • Total
  • 206
Oral
Individual
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Feedback by final exam (In addition to the grade)
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Oral examination, 60 min. (no preparation time)
The major subject project is evaluated through an overall assesment of 1) a written paper describing the project as described under “aim“ and 2) an oral exam including a short presentation of the project.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners.
The thesis supervisor or the Major Subject Project supervisor is the examinator and there will be an internal co-examinator.
Re-exam

Same as ordinary exam.

The student will be given two weeks for revising the paper and the reexamination is held no later than two weeks after handing in the revised paper.

Criteria for exam assesment

The grade 12 will be given for the excellent performance that demonstrates that the student fullfill the goals for knowledge, skills and compentencies.