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BIMAPS1: Critical Analysis and Problem Solving
Module code: BIMAPS1
Module provider: School of Biological Sciences
Credits: 20
Level: 7
When you’ll be taught: Semester 1
Module convenor: Dr Eva Kevei , email: e.g.kevei@reading.ac.uk
Module co-convenor: Dr Mike Fry, email: m.j.fry@reading.ac.uk
Additional teaching staff 1: Dr Andrew Bicknell, email: a.b.bicknell@reading.ac.uk
Pre-requisite module(s):
Co-requisite module(s):
Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):
Module(s) excluded:
Placement information: NA
Academic year: 2025/6
Available to visiting students: No
Talis reading list: No
Last updated: 3 April 2025
Overview
Module aims and purpose
Understanding and critically evaluating scientific literature is an essential skill for a successful research career. In this module, you will explore the latest developments in biomedical and molecular biosciences, learning to assess the strengths and weaknesses of published studies and develop your own conclusions from the data presented. During the module you will engage with scientists presenting real-world research challenges by attending research seminars delivered by academics from within the School, covering a wide range of current research topics across various fields. You will concurrently build on and expand discussions from the research seminars by engaging in small-group discussions of recent scientific papers to deepen your understanding of research design and methodology.
A key component of this module is the writing of an independent research proposal on a topic aligned with an area of interest that you may later pursue as a research project. You will be guided to develop a well-structured proposal, that will form the basis of your research project.
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:
- Critically evaluate scientific literature, enabling them to assess research quality, methodologies, and conclusions.
- Effectively communicate both orally and in writing scientific concepts and demonstrate the ability to interpret, synthesise, and present research findings.
- Apply research principles to real-world challenges, proposing written evidence-based research solutions relevant to academic research settings.
Module content
In this module, you will develop essential skills for understanding and critically evaluating scientific literature, focusing on biomedical and molecular biosciences. The first half of the module consists of a series of research seminars and journal clubs where you will engage with up-to-date research topics presented by academics within the School. These sessions will provide a comprehensive understanding of current research across various fields and enhance your ability to analyse scientific papers, providing an appreciation for research design and methodologies.
Following the seminars and journal clubs, you will select your research project topic and write an independent research proposal in the form of a grant application with the aim of preparing you for your project. You will also present an assessed journal club on a research article relevant to your chosen topic.
Writing of the research proposal will be supported by weekly workshops aimed to guide you through the process, teaching you how to develop a structured, well-supported research proposal. The focus will be on applying your understanding of scientific research and methodologies to propose innovative solutions to real-world challenges. By the end of the module, you will have gained practical experience in the development of a research proposal supporting you for a future career in academic or industry-based research.
Structure
Teaching and learning methods
This module will primarily be delivered as research seminars and small group journal club discussions. Individual study will be required prior to the paper discussions and individual reflection on the topics raised will be expected after the discussions.Â
Study hours
At least 60 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.
 Scheduled teaching and learning activities |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Lectures | |||
Seminars | 50 | ||
Tutorials | |||
Project Supervision | |||
Demonstrations | |||
Practical classes and workshops | 10 | ||
Supervised time in studio / workshop | |||
Scheduled revision sessions | |||
Feedback meetings with staff | |||
Fieldwork | |||
External visits | |||
Work-based learning | |||
 Self-scheduled teaching and learning activities |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Directed viewing of video materials/screencasts | |||
Participation in discussion boards/other discussions | |||
Feedback meetings with staff | |||
Other | |||
Other (details) | |||
 Placement and study abroad |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Placement | |||
Study abroad | |||
 Independent study hours |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Independent study hours | 140 |
Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.
Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.
Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.
Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.
Assessment
Requirements for a pass
Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.
Summative assessment
Type of assessment | Detail of assessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of assessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oral assessment | Research paper presentation | 30 | 30 minutes | Semester 1, Teaching Week 9 | Students will present a research paper to a small group of students and an academic staff member. |
Written coursework assignment | Research Proposal | 70 | 4,000 words | Semester 1, Assessment Period | A written research proposal on their chosen project area. |
Penalties for late submission of summative assessment
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:
Assessments with numerical marks
- where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
- the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
- where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
Assessments marked Pass/Fail
- where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.
The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.
Formative assessment
Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.
Reassessment
Type of reassessment | Detail of reassessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of reassessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oral reassessment | Research paper presentation | 30 | 30 minutes | Students will present a research paper to a small group of students and an academic staff member. | |
Written coursework assignment | Research proposal | 70 | 4,000 words | A written research proposal on their chosen project area. |
Additional costs
Item | Additional information | Cost |
---|---|---|
Computers and devices with a particular specification | ||
Printing and binding | ||
Required textbooks | ||
Specialist clothing, footwear, or headgear | ||
Specialist equipment or materials | ||
Travel, accommodation, and subsistence |
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT’S CONTRACT.