SCI4058-N Advanced Research Project Level 7 PG Module Guide Semester 2 2025 / 26 | Teesside University

Contents

Introduction

Module Aims
Module Learning Outcomes
Personal and Transferable Skills Development
Research, Knowledge and Cognitive Skills
Professional Skills, Values and Behaviours
Indicative Content
Learning Strategy, Future Authentic Research in the Curriculum and Delivery Pattern
Learning Strategy
Future Authentic Research in the Curriculum    7
Delivery Pattern
Attendance
How to Report Absences
Module Discussion Board and Contacting Module Staff    10
Module Assessment
Assessment Brief
Assessment Criteria
AI Permission and Declaration of Generative AI Use
Turnitin and Checking your work for Plagiarism
Feedback on Draft Work
Assessment Submission
Unratified and Ratified Feedback and Marks
Reassessment
Extenuating Circumstances
Academic Skills and Support
Employment Skills and Student Futures Support
Student Voice and Module Evaluation
Appendix 1. University Assessment Marking Criteria
Appendix 2. Assessment Rubric (Dissertation 70%)
Appendix 3. Assessment Rubric (Poster 30%)
Accessibility Statement
Disclaimer

Introduction

First, welcome to Advanced Research Project. This guide has been produced to give you information concerning the topics that you will study on this module and the assessments that you will be required to complete.  The module is a 60 credit module studied by eligible students on the following Taught postgraduate courses:

• MSc Food Processing Engineering
• MSc Food Science and Biotechnology
• MSc Forensic Science
• MSc Crime Intelligence and Data Analytics
• MSc Environmental Management

The above courses also include the “with Advanced Practice” version. Some MSc courses are not listed above as their Research Project is handled within their course. This guide has been produced to give you information concerning the topics you will study in this module and the assessments you will be required to complete.
The recommended total learning time you should spend on this module is 600 hours (100 h per 10 credits) of which 12 hours will be delivered as seminar sessions. The remaining hours should be used to undertake guided independent study which can include reviewing module learning materials, undertaking further reading and completing assessments.

Module Aims

The module aims to equip students with knowledge and practical skills to pursue a research career relevant to the Master’s course. The module specifically aims develop practical research expertise, including experimental design, operation of specialist techniques and data analysis and visualisation, in chosen areas of your Master’s course programme. In addition, the module aims to develop presentation skills for a poster presentation of their research.

Module Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

Personal and Transferable Skills Development

PTS 1    Plan, manage and evaluate strategies for updating, maintaining and enhancing their knowledge and skills set associated with science disciplines and recognise how this relates to other areas of personal development.
PTS 2      Use judgement to make evidence-based decisions with regards to the applicability of advanced research methodologies and techniques within a science project.
PTS 3     Communicate complex issues, using a scientific poster and dissertation, in a professional manner and clearly to a specialist audience.
PTS 4     Identify and evaluate suitable computational and data visualisation approaches commensurate with the demands of research and scholarship in science.
PTS 5     Operate ethically in complex and specialised situations and has a critical understanding of the issues governing good practice within research

Research, Knowledge and Cognitive Skills

RKC 1    Design, plan, undertake and evaluate a substantial, independent, hypothesis-driven project in science to address significant areas of theory and/or practice.
RKC 2     Use an advanced knowledge and critical understanding of life science and related disciplines to develop critical responses to contemporary theories and to articulate new methodologies.
RKC 3     Apply advanced knowledge of scientific theory and problem-solving skills to the solution of complex problems in research.
RKC 4    Select appropriate advanced methodological approaches and critically evaluate their effectiveness.

Professional Skills, Values and Behaviours

PS 1    Incorporate a critical ethical dimension to collecting and analysing project data and adhere to legal and regulatory frameworks.
PS 2     Implement and evaluate improvements to performance drawing on innovative or best practice in science.
PS 3    Critically analyse complex data sets using appropriate analysis and visualisation tools

Indicative Content

The focus of the project will be dependent on the Master’s course. The project will address a discipline-based topic at a technical level consistent with that required for acceptance and presentation at a national conference and a peer-reviewed journal in their field of study.

• Project Ethical Clearance and Risk Assessment Procedures
• Information Literacy and Systematic Review
• Science Research Methodologies
• Specialist Techniques
• Experimental Design
• Data Analysis and Visualisation
• Scientific Writing & Poster Presentation

Learning Strategy, Future Authentic Research in the Curriculum and Delivery Pattern

Prior to start of the module, an introductory seminar will be used to familiarise students with the research areas and interests of the academic staff. Students will be able to select their areas and topics of interest provided and will, subsequently, be allocated a project supervisor with who they will develop a title. Where a project is employer-linked, professional mentor will also be appointed.  This seminar will also be used to familiarise students with the University ethical clearance and health and safety procedures and documentation they will be required to complete prior to commencing their project. 

In addition the initial seminar, to support the development of their project, students will receive seminars, building on previous modules, focused on information literacy, approaches to systematic review, experimental design, data analysis and visualisation and scientific writing and presentation

Learning Strategy

Future Authentic Research in the Curriculum

Future Authentic Research (FAR) is an academic framework that positions research as an integral, evolving element of your student journey at Teesside. By aligning your learning with authentic research practices, FAR acts as a bridge between knowledge acquisition, creation, application and dissemination. The framework consists of three key constructs Knowledge-based, Enacted and Generative are addressed:

Delivery Pattern

An overview of the scheduled learning activities is outlined below.

Attendance 

You are expected to attend and fully engage with all timetabled learning activities. The University utilises attendance codes to monitor attendance of scheduled sessions. If sessions are repeatedly missed then this can trigger attendance warnings which can, if ignored, result in withdrawal for non-engagement.  The University can take the decision to Withdraw a student due to poor attendance and engagement, since, such behaviours are seen as a breach of the Student Attendance and Engagement Policy which can be found here. 
If you are unable to attend a scheduled session, you are expected to make your own arrangements to catch-up with classes and learning activities missed by any absences.

How to Report Absences

Absences should be reported and then closed via the “My Absences” tile on your MyTU app or online at mytu.tees.ac.uk
Instructions for absence reporting
Click on the 'Absences' tile and select 'Report absence' - you will be directed to a new page which will ask you to provide further details about your absence.
Complete the required fields on the form and then click 'Save absence'.
Once you have saved your absence, you can upload any supporting evidence such as a completed LOA form or Fit Note. Absences from timetabled sessions and practice placements should be reported separately.
Where non-attendance due to illness extends over 7 calendar days, a medical note may be requested.
Please watch the supporting video on how to report an absence, or view the attached user guide:
Video guidance on Reporting an Absence

Report on Absence on MyTU

Module Discussion Board and Contacting Module Staff

The Module Discussion Board on Blackboard Ultra is the primary way in which you can contact your Module Leader. As part of the module community, you can use the Module Discussion Board 

Module Assessment

The module is assessed by two summative assessment components which will be marked using the University Assessment Marking Criteria (level 7) and the Assessment Rubric(s) together with feedback forms shown in Appendix 2 and 3. Assessment Regime and Deadlines.

To pass the module you must achieve a minimum overall module mark of 50%. This module cannot be Compensated due to professional body accreditation requirements.

Full details of the Assessment Regulations for Taught Postgraduate Awards can be found here.

Assessment Brief 

Component 1 Poster Presentation (30%) – A1 size electronic poster in Microsoft PowerPoint via BBU 

The poster presentation will provide evidence that the student is capable of planning, undertaking and evaluating a major, independent, hypothesis-driven project in a life science discipline. The presentation will show that students are communicating their findings effectively, using appropriate programs for data visualisation, to the professional standards of a scientific conference. The clarity of the explanation, along with the response to questioning will be used to gauge a student’s ability to use, interpret and explain major aspects of terminology and to demonstrate a comprehensive and detailed knowledge and understanding.

Component 2 Dissertation (70%) – 8000 words limit (with a 10% tolerance i.e. 8800 maximum words) in Microsoft Word Document via BBU

The dissertation will provide evidence that the student is capable of planning, undertaking and evaluating a major, independent, hypothesis-driven project in a science discipline and communicating their findings effectively to professional standards. The dissertation will permit students to demonstrate a comprehensive and critical understanding of a scientific discipline as well as the ability to use, interpret and explain major aspects of terminology. The dissertation will permit students to demonstrate their ability to critically appraise appropriate scientific literature and to interpret their findings in the context of this. The laboratory notebook will be used to provide evidence of the student’s ability to plan, design and execute a project using a wide range of techniques appropriate to the specific life science discipline. Notebooks will be used to evidence a student’s ability to work autonomously and demonstrate the ability to direct their research and identify solutions to problems.  Students will be expected to provide documentary evidence of their ability to gain ethical clearance and conduct risk assessments prior to engaging in laboratory and/or field work.
However, students should not submit any project diary, lab book, log book or     electronic data generated by the project

Assessment Criteria 

In addition to the Standard University Level 7 University Marking Criteria the following criteria will be used to assess the assessment(s). Your mark and written feedback will be provided using the Turnitin Assessment Rubric in Appendix 2 and 3.

• Practical examination - poster presentation [PTS 1-5, RKC1-4, PS1-3]
• Coursework - dissertation [PTS 1-5, RKC1-4, PS1-3]

AI Permission and Declaration of Generative AI Use 

This module has an AI Permission of Amber.  You can, if you wish, use Generative AI as a companion for specific tasks, explicitly permitted by the supervisors when producing your assessment.
The module team strongly recommends that all students consult with their supervisors. They are the best people to advise you on using AI for different parts of your dissertation, e.g., for drafting and improvement, but not for data analysis and referencing.

When you submit an assessment, you are declaring the following:

I understand that to use the work and ideas of others, including AI generated output, without full acknowledgement, is academic misconduct. I confirm that this assessment submission is all my own, original work and that all sources, summaries, paraphrases and quotes are fully referenced as required by the University’s Academic Misconduct Regulations (relating to Taught Provision and Advanced Independent Work on Professional Doctorate courses).
More information on academic misconduct can be found in the Academic Misconduct Regulations (relating to Taught Provision and Advanced Independent Work on Professional Doctorate courses) which are available at the following link here.

For Written Assignments (Dissertation):

The Title Page of your Assignment should include one of the following statements:
DECLARATION OF GENERATIVE AI USE (delete one of the following as appropriate):

• I DID NOT use Generative AI technology in the development, writing, or editing of this assignment.
• I DID use Generative AI technology in the development, writing, or editing of this assignment.
  If you DID use Generative AI technology in your Assignment, please provide detailed responses in the Appendix of your assignment to the following items (1-3) and include statement (4):

1.Specify the reasons and purposes for using Generative AI technology in this assignment. Clearly explain how the Generative AI technology assisted in the development, writing, or editing processes.

2.EXTENT OF AI USE: Outline the sections or parts of the assignment that were developed, written, or edited with the assistance of Generative AI technology.

3.REFLECTION ON AI’S CONTRIBUTION: Reflect on how the Generative AI technology contributed to the assignment, including its limitations and advantages in the context of the assessment.

4.By including this statement in my assessment submission, I attest that the information provided in this Originality and use of AI Declaration Statement is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that providing false information is a violation of the University’s Academic Misconduct Regulations and may result in academic and/or disciplinary consequences.
Note declarations, when incorporated into the Title Page and, if required, inclusion of the items (1-4) in the Appendix do not contribute to the assessment word count.

For Presentation-Based Assessments (Poster):

On an additional slide to your Poster Presentation, include one of the following statements:

DECLARATION OF GENERATIVE AI USE (delete one of the following as appropriate):

• I DID NOT use Generative AI technology in the development, writing, or editing of this assignment.
• I DID use Generative AI technology in the development, writing, or editing of this assignment.

If you DID use Generative AI technology to generate your Poster Presentation, please provide detailed responses in a separate slide of your Poster Presentation to the following items (1-3) and include statement (4):

1.Specify the reasons and purposes for using Generative AI technology in this assignment. Clearly explain how the Generative AI technology assisted in the development, writing, or editing processes.
2.EXTENT OF AI USE: Outline the sections or parts of the assignment that were developed, written, or edited with the assistance of Generative AI technology.
3.REFLECTION ON AI’S CONTRIBUTION: Reflect on how the Generative AI technology contributed to the assignment, including its limitations and advantages in the context of the assessment.
4.By including this statement in my assessment submission, I attest that the information provided in this Originality and use of AI Declaration Statement is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that providing false information is a violation of the University’s Academic Misconduct Regulations and may result in academic and/or disciplinary consequences.

Turnitin and Checking your work for Plagiarism 

Turnitin is an electronic plagiarism prevention tool used by the University to ensure the academic integrity of its awards. When you submit your work via the submission link on the University’s VLE, Turnitin produces a similarity index score and an originality report which can be used by both staff and you to identify where plagiarism may have occurred. Although a low similarity index may indicate original work, this is not always the case.  Conversely, a high similarity index can be indicative of plagiarism but can, also, occur when original work has been submitted. You would not be accused of plagiarism without a member of staff first reviewing a submission in detail to verify that there are indeed grounds for such an accusation. 

Before submitting an assignment, you can check your work for plagiarism by accessing ‘Check your work for plagiarism’ under the ‘Organisations’ menu button on Blackboard. This method is not an instant process, and there may be delays especially around peak times. You must wait for the check to come back before proceeding. On the ‘Check You Work for Plagiarism’ page, you can also access further in-depth guidance. Please note, the ‘Check You Work for Plagiarism’ page is a test site and should not be used to submit your final assignment.
More information on plagiarism and other forms of academic misconduct can be found in the Academic Misconduct Regulations (relating to Taught Provision and Advanced Independent Work on Professional Doctorate courses) which are available at the following link here.

Feedback on Draft Work 

Provide details of when draft work will be reviewed, and feedback provided. This should follow the SHLS guidelines below:

• For dissertations or Advance practice where feedback can be given once for all chapters.  Chapters for dissertations should be submitted throughout the duration of the module as a complete draft cannot be read near to the submission deadline.

Assessment Submission 

Your assessment should be submitted as a Word /PowerPoint file via the Turnitin Submission link in the Assessments folder of the module Bb Ultra site. 

Please ensure you name your assessment files in such a way that you can confidently upload the correct file to the submission link since it may not be possible, particularly once the deadline has passed, to correct any errors.

It is important that you submit by the assessment deadline.  If you make a late submission, within seven calendar days of the original deadline, your mark will be capped at 50%. If you make a submission after seven calendar days, your work will not be marked and a mark of 0% awarded.  Any delay can affect your performance, the timing of the release of your results and, consequently, your progression, and award.
Unratified and Ratified Feedback and Marks 

You will receive an unratified mark and feedback via the Gradebook, in the module Blackboard Ultra site.
Prior to a mark being ratified by a University Assessment Board, feedback and marks given only for purposes of advice and guidance to assist your learning and development in this module and does not represent notification of your marks.  References to standards or marks are entirely provisional at this stage and subject to confirmation and/or change following University procedures.  You will be notified of your ratified marks, via E-vision, after the relevant University Assessment Board meets.

Reassessment 

You will be notified by the University Assessment Board, via e-vision, of your ratified results and if you have a reassessment opportunity. If you pass this module at the first attempt, either outright or by the application of compensation, you cannot be reassessed in the module in order to achieve a higher mark.

If you fail this module at the first point of consideration, you will be provided with an opportunity to undertake reassessment.  The maximum mark that may be awarded for the reassessed component is 50%.  On reassessments, unratified feedback and marks will be provided only for purposes of advice and guidance to assist your learning and development in this module and does not represent notification of your marks.  References to standards or marks are entirely provisional at this stage and subject to confirmation and/or change following University procedures.  You will be notified of your ratified marks, via E-vision, after the relevant University Assessment Board meets.
Coursework based modules (Semester 1): In this module, reassessment will take the same form as the above. 

Extenuating Circumstances

The University recognises that there may be occasions during the course of your study where you are unable to effectively complete your assessment(s), or where your performance in your assessment(s) has been affected.
The University's Extenuating Circumstances process for students undertaking taught provision enables you to notify the University of your circumstances so that they may be taken into account when making a decision in relation to your progress or results. The sooner the University is made aware of the difficulties you are experiencing, the easier it will be for them to support you.

If extenuating circumstances impact on your ability to complete a summative assessment at the first attempt, you can apply for Extensions, voluntary Interruption of Studies or Mitigating Circumstances. You can also apply for Mitigating Circumstances for reassessment opportunities offered by the relevant Progression and/or Award Board (Assessment Board). However, Short/Long Extensions will not normally be granted for reassessment due to the requirement for timely progression to the next level at the beginning of the academic year. 
This can be done using the Extenuating Circumstances process. Guidance on what constitutes Extenuating Circumstances, the required supporting evidence and completion of the Application Form for Extenuating Circumstances can be found here. 

Prior to submitting, please ensure your Extenuating Circumstances Application Form is fully completed, you have attached appropriate evidence and, if possible, you have sought advice from your Personal Tutor or Course Leader. Please note that incomplete applications may not be accepted for consideration and that the submission of an Extenuating Circumstances Application Form is not in itself a guarantee that your application will be accepted.

If your application is successful, it is important that you are aware that the rescheduling of your assessments can affect the timing of the consideration of your results by a University Assessment Board and, consequently, the timing of any progression and award decisions and, consequently, the timing of graduation.

Appendix 1. University Assessment Marking Criteria

The Assessment Component will be marked using the University Assessment Marking Criteria (level 7) shown below. 

Appendix 2. Assessment Rubric (Dissertation 70%)

The mark and feedback, including written comments, for your assessment will be generated using the rubric below.