Summary 

You will choose from a wide range of cardiovascular topics that can employ different methodologies including, for example, laboratory based experiments, data collection and/or analysis of retrospective or ongoing clinical research or involve gene annotation. Where appropriate, the supervisor will have obtained ethical approval for the work, but you will be expected to write a research plan pointing out ethical and statistical issues. Deadlines for choosing research projects and writing ethics applications will be set early in the first term. During the first term, you will be introduced to data analysis and statistics for research, basic laboratory skills, literature search using PubMed, software packages for data analysis and presentation, scientific essays writing skills, poster design in addition to training in PowerPoint presentation preparation. You will carry out the research principally during Term 2 and will present your findings and write a dissertation to be handed in Term 3. You will be expected to adhere to a series of deadlines for plan, draft and completion of final dissertation.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives 

After taking this module, you will be able to: 

Plan and execute under supervision, an experiment or investigation, analyse critically the results and draw valid conclusions.
 Evaluate the level of uncertainty in your results, understand the significance of error analysis and compare these results with expected outcomes, theoretical predictions or published data.
 Communicate both orally and in writing complex scientific ideas and the conclusions of an experiment, investigation or project concisely, accurately and informatively.
 Manage your own learning and make use of appropriate texts, research articles and other primary sources. 
 Demonstrate experimental skills by competently using specialised equipment, identifying appropriate pieces of equipment and mastering new techniques and such equipment (applies to experimental projects).
 Perform a systematic review of a focused topic in the literature (non lab-based projects) and have a good understanding of for example: 
(a) key computer based bioinformatics tools related to molecular cardiovascular research and how to use a variety of online genomic databases and resources to annotate a gene of interest: or

(b) meta-analysis techniques and using this to assess the clinical effectiveness of a healthcare intervention by combining data from randomised control trials from independent studies.

Who is this module for? 

This is a core module for iBSc Cardiovascular Science students. 

Teaching and Learning Methods

Topics will be covered by predominantly observation sessions in clinical environments, attendance at weekly clinical meetings and reporting sessions and self-directed learning.