Preparation of Research Projects

Code:

BIOL4108

Acronym:

BIOL4108

Level:

400

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Biology
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Cell and Molecular Biology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M:BCM	17	Study plan since academic year 2024/2025	2	-	3	21	81

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

In the course "Preparation of Research Projects", students will be introduced to the different stages of designing and preparing research proposals, and trained for presenting results. The main objective of this course is therefore to present the diversity of existing scientific projects, and showcase how they are structured and prepared, with a view to a future scientific career. Useful tools will also be provided to enhance oral presentation skills and the preparation of the dissertation within the scope of the master's degree.

Learning outcomes and competences

The student will be able to: choose a topic appropriate to the contents and methodologies within the scope of Molecular and Cell Biology; develop a line of research; develop the research plan; understand the scientific principles that support a specific research activity and be familiar with the relevant literature; present the project orally in the form of a pitch.

Additionally, the student should demonstrate the ability to integrate and synthesize relevant literature on a given topic; formulate questions and hypotheses; understand the techniques and methodologies available to address these questions; and explain predictable results. Students should also demonstrate the ability to prepare a scientific project, including its contextualization and state of the art, methodologies and timetable.

Working method

À distância

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

.

Program

The course will include lectures on various types of research projects, including doctoral, regional, national, international and corporate, all within the area of Cell and Molecular Biology. Different forms of presenting results, mainly in the form of abstract, poster, report, dissertation and doctoral thesis, will also be presented and discussed.

In addition, each student will prepare her/his project report, to be discussed closely with the supervisor and mentored by the teaching staff. Such report should include a literature survey/ review and a plan of the work to be carried out as part of the dissertation. The information provided in this document will also be complemented by a short oral presentation (pitch).

Mandatory literature

Não aplicável; Não aplicável

Teaching methods and learning activities

Tutorial supervision and expository teaching (lectures/ seminars).

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Trabalho escrito	80,00
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	20,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	60,00
Frequência das aulas	21,00
Total:	81,00

Eligibility for exams

Attendance of at least 80% of the lectures/ seminars.
Presentation of a scientific project in written and pitch form.

Calculation formula of final grade

To pass, students must obtain a mark > 10 out of 20 in the sum of the two components (written research project, and pitch).

Examinations or Special Assignments

The project must be submitted via Turnitin software, on the link created on Moodle for this purpose.

Internship work/project

The written proposal should include a title, summary, state of the art, objective, methodology, work-packages, description of expected results, and references.

Observations

Contacts: Paulo Oliveira e Olga Lage