To develop and acquire a range of generic research skills and gain an understanding of their practical application, including successful commerical exploitation.

At the end of this module, the student is expected to be able to:

• Demonstrate the use of practical skills in the presentation of their research to different audiences.
• Demonstrate the ability to identify, access and critically evaluate appropriate bibliographic resources and databases.
• Understand relevant health and safety issues and demonstrate responsible working practices.
• Understand issues affecting the commercial exploitation of research.
• Demonstrate an understanding of relevant research methodologies and techniques within their research field.

Students will choose 6 topics from the following list (which will be expanded over time) and attend the relevant teaching sessions and undertake additional independent learning activities. They will then complete assignments that require them to demonstrate the skills that they have gained.

1. Information retrieval and databases/Bibliographic databases for informatics

Gaining access to and use of a wide range of scientific/bibliographic databases. Targeted search techniques. Selection of appropriate sources for literature surveys. Information management. ( Dr SM Barlow/Dr PGG Miller & Library staff.)

Assessment: Critical comparison of information obtained through different techniques. (Dr SM Barlow/Dr PGG Miller)

Note: Students taking the Bioinformatics MSc will take the version taught by Dr Miller.

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2. Health and safety issues

Understanding and applying University and Departmental safety requirements. Risk assessments, handling hazardous chemicals, COSSH, first aid. Personal responsibility. (requires proven attendance at all University/Department safety sessions for new research members.)

Assessment: Risk assessment of own research project. Description and discussion of safety arrangements in own Department. (Marked by research project supervisor under generic guidelines provided by module leader).

3. Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

Web-based exercise using material provided by University Graduate School via Vital. (self-dire cted learning)

Assessment: Written exercise based on patent searching/retrieval. (Dr SM Barlow)

4/5. Technology transfer (2 linked sessions equivalent to 2 topics)

The process of knowledge transfer and university spin-out companies. Economic drivers. Entrepreneurship, including strategies for controlling and planning for growth. Sources of funding for start-up ventures. Business finance planning. (Mrs J. Lee)

Assessment: (i) Team-based project based on setting up of a spin-out company. Concept, issues, initial planning. (ii) Individual assignment on financial planning.

6. Presenting research in context

Understanding the relevance and underlying moti vations of your research. Presenting your research for different situations e.g. in specialist conferences, for grant applications, for wider audiences. Use of appropriate information technology. (Dr MJ Fisher, Dr PGG MIller)

Assessment: Preparation and presentation of poster to other module participants on an interdisciplinary topic. (Dr MJ Fisher, Dr PGG MIller, all module particpants).

7. Workshops on analytical techniques

Students will choose between a number of workshops based on common analytical techniques relevant to their proposed research project. Examples include: NMR, IR, XPS, XRD. (Department-based)

Assessment: Use of technique to analyse a sample, production of report on technique and findings. (Department-based on a model provided by module leader).

8. Basic Linux

Use of the LINUX command line interface and KDE graphics environment. Important commands for managing files. Using pipes to cahin progams together. Useful programs for general purpose computing. (Dr L Mello)

Assessment: Problem set with a focus on debugging common errors. (Dr L Mello)

9.Introduction to the R statistical package

Benefits of using R for statistical anlaysis. The R command line interface, data entry and manipulation. Basic descriptive statistics and comparisons. Plotting data. Using function libraries. (Dr PGG Miller)

Assessment: Analysis of a specimen set of data. (Dr PGG Miller).

A combination of seminars, presentations, tutorials, group discussions, workshops, web-based material and self-study encouraging an independent leaning approach.

Variety according to topic. Students will be advised accordingly.