Project II

Code:

MI074173

Acronym:

PROJ2

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Any Scientific Area of the Study Cycle

Instance: 2023/2024 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Course/CS Responsible:	MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MICF	15	MICF - Transition Study Plan 2023/24 - 2024/25 - 2025/26	4	-	18	312	486

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students
Obs.: (também adequado para falantes de línguas românicas)

Objectives

This curricular unit (UC) was created with the aim of framing the international students who come to the Faculty of Pharmacy U.Porto to carry out scientific research work, especially in cases where this involves laboratory experimentation.
It is a UC with a high workload (18 ECTS), presupposing the availability of students to work full time on a research project, under the direct supervision of a Tutor / Supervisor.
It is hoped that students become knowledgeable, regardless of the area of the project, of the whole process, concepts, and methodologies of modern scientific research, in addition to concretely carrying out or participating in the accomplishment of scientifically valid work in the light of current standards, being able to report it according to the current rules for publication and dissemination of scientific work.

Learning outcomes and competences

It is the UC's specific objective to provide students with the necessary skills to design and implement a scientific research work plan. Thus, students should be able to:
-- Formulate a relevant scientific problem and define the corresponding strategy or general line of approach.
-- Perform a systematic literature search which is relevant in relation to the objective. 
- Carry out a critical study and in-depth analysis of all aspects involved, in particular the necessary resources.
-- Draw up a general plan of action to carry out the research work including alternative plans to face contingencies.
-- Perform the experimental work according to the defined strategy, manipulating the data acquisition tools/instruments and systematically integrating the results into the research plan.
-- Summarize and treat the data obtained and relate the results to the pre-defined research problem and the literature search carried out.
-- Write a scientific paper and elaborate other forms of presentation of research results (reports, posters, oral communications, etc.).
-- Communicate adequately with other researchers and integrate into research teams.

Working method

Presencial

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

Previous knowledge is highly dependent on the project area. For laboratory work, basic knowledge of laboratory activity and basic laboratory techniques, including safety aspects, are required. In all cases, a good command of the English language is mandatory.

Program

The program of this CU is based on concrete proposals of research projects submitted by FFUP teachers / researchers, which should include: a) the title of the project; b) the laboratory where it will be carried out; c) a short summary of the project, with a schedule of tasks and goals to be achieved in relation to the student's competences (maximum 1 A4 page).
Proposals must be presented to the Regent of the UC, who validates them. It is also the Regent of the UC that puts in contact the interested student and the proponent of the project, that will assume the status of Supervisor / Tutor of the work/student.

Mandatory literature

---; * (ver observações)

Complementary Bibliography

IPQ; NP 405 – Informação e Documentação: Referências Bibliográfica
Dinis Duarte Pestana; Introdução à probabilidade e à estatistica. ISBN: 972-31-1150-0
Sousa Gonçalo de Vasconcelos e 1970-; Metodologia da investigação, redacção e apresentação de trabalhos científicos. ISBN: 972-26-1559-9
Felipa Lopes dos Reis ; Investigação Científica e Trabalhos Académicos - Guia Prático, Edições Sílabo, 2018. ISBN: 9789726189565
João Ruas ; Manual de Metodologias de Investigação, Escolar Editora, 2017. ISBN: 9789896700881
Maria da Piedade Alves ; Metodologia Científica, Escolar Editora, 2012. ISBN: 9789725923542
J. Eduardo Carvalho ; Metodologia do Trabalho Cientifíco, Escolar Editora, 2009. ISBN: 9789725922446
Maria de Sousa; Sobre a natureza do progresso científico
Vasco A. J. Maria; Promover a prática da investigação científica pelos alunos
Kenneth F. Schulz; Handbook of essential concepts in clinical research. ISBN: 978-0-08-044866-4
David Machin; Design of studies for medical research. ISBN: 0-470-84495-7

Comments from the literature

The mandatory bibliography will be specific to each project and will be indicated by the student's supervisor case-by-case.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Given the nature of this CU, teaching methods and learning activities can be quite diverse. The choice and organization of work processes will vary on a case-by-case basis depending on the nature and specific objectives of the research project.
In any case, given the individualized nature of the work, the teaching/learning process will always have an essentially "tutorial" character, and it will be up to the Supervisor of the student/project to make every effort to achieve it.

keywords

Health sciences > Pharmacological sciences
Natural sciences > Biological sciences
Physical sciences > Chemistry

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de projeto	10,00
Estudo autónomo	20,00
Trabalho de investigação	60,00
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	10,00
Total:	100,00

Eligibility for exams

Completion of the work program related to the defined project, validated by the student's Supervisor.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final evaluation will have a qualitative component -- which is the responsibility of the Supervisor of the student/project, who may also propose a final grade on the 0-20 scale.
This evaluation should be transmitted to the UC Regent after the end of the project. The final quantitative grade will be the responsibility of the Regent of the UC, taking into account the information provided by the Supervisor.

Examinations or Special Assignments

If any, they will be defined on a case-by-case basis by the student's Supervisor.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Not applicable

Classification improvement

Given the nature of the CU, there is no possibility of improvement of the final classification obtained.

Observations

Contingency Plan.
If, by a higher decision, measures are imposed that limit access to the FFUP facilities and in particular to research laboratories; and if this results in the practical impossibility of carrying out a project as predefined, it is up to the project supervisor, in conjunction with the student and the Regent of the UC, to find the best solution for the case, always maintaining the integrity, responsibility and quality of the academic work.