| Category | Dissertation | Subject | Science |
|---|---|---|---|
| University | Keele University | Module Title | MSc Research Project |
| Word Count | 15000 words |
| Education Level | Postgraduate |
Section 1: Background Information & Questions and Answers
Section 2: Different Projects and Subject Themes Available
Section 3: How to choose your project
The MSc project is a 60-credit project undertaken during the summer of your MSc programme (note, for those studying part-time this will be completed during the second summer of their programme). This is a major undertaking and allows you to carry out a substantial piece of meaningful research that may lead to the generation of new knowledge. This is also an excellent opportunity for you to network and to start thinking about next steps post-graduation as you work alongside colleagues undertaking an authentic research project. These could be bioinformatics or big data, field-based, lab-based, systematic reviews, or centred around teaching, learning or outreach activities.
This booklet will help you to make your choice.
Details of the assessment for your project will be provided in the relevant module handbook. This will include a project write-up of approximately 15,000 words, a poster and/or presentation at the Postgraduate Taught Conference held late summer and a Professional Skills assessment.
There are lots of different types of projects and subject areas (themes) to choose from. However, regardless of the type or title of your project, all projects will develop several key employability skills that are highly desirable no matter what you intend to do when you graduate. This is true regardless of whether you want to go into further education or seek a job across the public or private sector, etc. Key skills include problem solving, communication and time management, developing an evidence-based argument, designing a robust methodological approach and presenting and analysing data.
In addition to these core skills that all projects will help to develop, different types of projects may be more suitable for students with different aspirations and interests. For example, lab-based projects would suit those who want to continue working in a lab, conducting observations and/or experiments to generate data. Bioinformatics and big data projects suit those more interested in working with technology to analyse big data sets that are already available. Systematic reviews may be particularly relevant to those thinking about working in the field of healthcare, for example, the medical or veterinary sector. Teaching, learning and outreach projects suit those thinking about working in education, taking on training roles or working to improve public understanding of science.
First, think about what your career aspirations are and choose a type of project that you feel best suits your needs. For each type of project, there are several different themes that you can choose to specialise in. For example, microbiology or genetics. Choose those themes that you are most interested in. We will use this to try and match you with a supervisor who shares these common interests.
You can find more information about the different types of projects and themes available in section 2 of this booklet.
We do not offer explicit titles. The idea is that you choose the type of project and general area (theme) that you are interested in studying. We will then match you with a supervisor who shares your interests. Together, you will discuss what options may be available and design a more specific title. This gives you more flexibility and puts you more in control.
Once you have all been allocated a supervisor, you will be expected to reach out to them to discuss ideas and possible titles.
Most projects are based here at Keele. However, some require you to work off-site, for example, at the Guy Hilton research Centre. There may be additional financial considerations, such as travel costs. Other projects could be in your current workplace – this would need to be discussed and agreed with the relevant programme director.
The majority of our projects do not require additional vaccinations. However, a small number may require you to complete certain vaccinations, most notably Hepatitis B. Once you have been allocated a supervisor, you should speak to them to ascertain if vaccination is a requirement.
Due to resource restrictions, there are limitations on the number of projects available in each topic. Projects are allocated to students primarily based on student choice.
To choose a project, read through the information presented in section 2 of this booklet and then follow the link in section 3 of this document to complete a Microsoft Form and make your selection.
All forms must be submitted before 5 pm, 12th March.
Do You Need a Dissertation on This Question
Order Non-Plagiarised DissertationBackground: We live in an age of big data, for example, the human genome project or Avibase (an extensive database of information for birds around the world). Governments and society require scientists trained in techniques to interrogate and analyse these big data sets across the entire Life Sciences sector. This is true in both research and the wider job market. Whether your interests lie in plants, animals, or microorganisms, you can be sure that there is a wealth of biological data out there ready to be analysed by you.
Careers: These projects are often interdisciplinary and particularly suit students who are interested in data science or careers that involve developing methods, and sometimes software tools, to analyse complex biological data. The work usually combines biological science with computer science, maths and/or information engineering.
Expectations of workload: Typically, these projects are web-based and involve you interrogating an online database, for example, the Human Genome Database or coding using the R programming language. You will develop a line of enquiry with your supervisor and agree on a methodological approach. You are then free to spend time at home, or in the library, etc, to interrogate the data set and analyse results.
Background: Controlled experiments that take place in the lab to generate data in the pursuit of new knowledge, or to otherwise answer specific scientific questions.
Careers: These projects will develop lab-based techniques and would suit students who enjoy laboratory work (eg, in the clinical, industrial or research sectors).
Expectations of workload: Typically, these projects involve students spending time in the laboratory conducting experiments and collecting data. The exact times will vary according to the project, but you should be prepared to attend the lab Monday-Friday between 9-5 throughout June and July. There is a wide range of subject areas available, but specific titles might be restricted due to resource limitations and will often be led by the supervisor.
Background: There is a limited number of exciting lab-based projects available at our partner institution, Universiti Sana Malaysia. Some restrictions apply.
Careers: These projects will develop lab-based techniques and would suit students who enjoy laboratory work (eg, in the clinical, industrial or research sectors). Please contact Rebecca Harrison on r.d.harrison@keele.ac.uk as soon as possible (before the form submission deadline) to discuss further.
Expectations of workload: Typically, these projects involve students spending time in the laboratory conducting experiments and collecting data. The exact times will vary according to the project, but you should be prepared to be in Malaysia and working Monday-Friday between 9-5 throughout June and July. There is a range of subject areas available. Please contact Rebecca Harrison as detailed above as soon as possible if you are interested.
Background: A systematic review is a critical evaluation of current literature that follows a very explicit approach to interrogating published papers; appraising research, extracting data and synthesising new information. Systematic reviews are often used in healthcare and veterinary science to provide a high level of evidence on the effectiveness of a variety of interventions, such as new biomarkers or drugs.
Careers: These projects particularly suit students interested in working across the public health sector, dentistry or veterinary science.
Expectations of workload: Although there are fewer subject areas to choose from, students are often provided significant freedom to pose their research questions. You would typically spend your research time developing a criterion, searching the literature, screening papers before extracting and then analysing data.
Background: Pedagogy is the science of how we learn. There is a vast body of evidence and research into how both children and adults learn and what the best teaching methods could be. You could decide to tackle a specific area of teaching and learning, such as the best assessment strategy, revising undergraduate practicals or evaluating the overall student experience.
Outreach projects aim at enhancing public understanding of, and access to, science. This could involve designing activities for school children, local interest groups, clubs and societies or other sections of the community.
Careers: These projects particularly suit students thinking about careers in education, training, or public engagement.
Expectations of workload: Due to the very diverse nature of each project, it is difficult to describe typical expectations of workload. However, some projects may be more literature-based whilst others involve the design and implementation of activities such as: a public lecture; running an undergraduate practical; delivering a teaching session for school children or running a public engagement stand at a nature reserve or shopping centre.
To choose which project type and topics you would like to study, please complete the form linked below. You can submit the form multiple times – we will endeavour to match you with your top three choices where possible.
Once the projects have been allocated, you will be notified by email and asked to make contact with your supervisor to discuss the project in more detail. If you are happy with the project discussed, then you can look forward to starting at the beginning of June. If, after meeting with your supervisor, you feel that you would like to change your choice of project type or topic, please contact Rebecca Harrison on r.d.harrison@keele.ac.uk to discuss your options before the end of April.
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