NBIK13014U Major Subject Project

Volume 2022/2023
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
Literature

See Absalon.

Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
Self-study under guidance.
The Major Subject Project is mandatory for master students in Biochemistry and the paper should be submitted before the experimental part of the thesis is initiated.
Download "Guidelines" from the course homepage in Absalon.
The intention with the Major Subject Project is to prepare the student for an experimental research project and generally it will be an advantage if the Major Subject Project supervisor will be the same as the thesis supervisor, however the project can be formulation of any experimental project relevant to biochemistry in which case the student must find another supervisor. We therefore recommend that the student starts to plan the thesis project before beginning the Major Subject Project.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Project work
  • 190
  • Guidance
  • 15
  • Exam
  • 1
  • Total
  • 206
Oral
Individual
Continuous feedback during the course
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)
Type of assessment details
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

The same as the ordinary exam.

Criteria for exam assesment

In order to obtain the grade 12 the student should convincingly and accurately demonstrate the knowledge, skills and competences described under Learning Outcome.