BMB821: Thesis preparation course
Study Board of Science
Teaching language: Danish or English depending on the teacher, but English if international students are enrolled
EKA: N210016112, N210016102
Assessment: Second examiner: None, Second examiner: Internal
Grading: Pass/Fail
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Autumn, Spring
Level: Master
STADS ID (UVA): N210016101
ECTS value: 5
Date of Approval: 12-10-2022
Duration: 1 semester
Version: Approved - active
Entry requirements
The student must be enrolled on the master's programme in either Biochemistry and molecular biology (BMB) or biomedicine.
Academic preconditions
Students taking the course are expected to:
- Have basic knowledge of the research areas at Biochemistry and molecular biology and Department of Molecular Medicine
- Be able to independently acquire knowledge within a new field
- Be able to independently plan the execution of a project, including basic time-management skills as well as risk assessment.
- Be able to use basic word processing programs and graphical presentation tools
- Be able to use scientific literature search tools
- Be able to communicate complex biological problems in a logical and coherent manner
Course introduction
The aim of the course is to introduce the student to a defined research area, whithin which the master thesis will be written.
The course is a self study course with guidance from the putative future master thesis supervisor. During the course the student will make a presentation covering relevant literature for the future master thesis as well as a research plan for the experimental part of the thesis. The course will ensure that the student is prepared for the coming thesis work, and is settled on the choice of topic and supervisor.
The course builds on the knowledge acquired during bachelor studies in Biochemistry and molecular biology or Biomedicine, and gives an academic basis for carrying out the master thesis project, that are part of the degree.
In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to enable the student to:
- understand, and on a scientific basis reflect upon biochemical and molecular biological knowledge as well as identify scientific problems
- plan scientific projects at a highly academic level, including controlling work and development situations, which are complex, unpredictable and require novel solutions
- take responsibility for individual academic development and specialisation
- illustrate stated hypotheses upon a qualified theoretical background, and relate critically to research results and scientific models
- obtain expert knowledge within a defined research area within the field of biochemistry, molecular biology or biomedicine.
- obtain knowledge about theories and experimental methods based on the highest level of international research within the fields of biochemistry, molecular biology and biomedicine.
Expected learning outcome
The learning objectives of the course are that the student demonstrates the ability to:
- independently formulate and analyse a biochemical or molecular biological problem
- think, argue and plan a major scientific project that is possible to carry out in practice and that will result in new knowledge in the research area
- convincingly interpret scientific data and evaluate the strengths and limitations of the proposed methods and use similar or revised methods
- formulate the project orally in a clear and mature language using the correct scientific terminology, and demonstrate an extensive overview of the research area
Content
The following main topics are contained in the course:
- Literature search and source criticism
- Research planning
- Project management, including time management
- Evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of experimental methods
- Putting scientific results into perspective, including UN sustainability goals
- Work environment and risk assessment
Literature
Examination regulations
Prerequisites for participating in the exam a)
Timing
Autumn and Spring
The prerequisites for participating in the exam and the examination element must be passed in the same term, otherwise both elements must be retaken.
The prerequisites for participating in the exam and the examination element must be passed in the same term, otherwise both elements must be retaken.
Tests
Submission of name of supervisor
EKA
N210016112
Assessment
Second examiner: None
Grading
Pass/Fail
Identification
Full name and SDU username
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
To be announced during the course
ECTS value
0
Additional information
Deadline for submission is announced via itslearning at semester start.
The prerequisite examination is a prerequisite for participation in exam element a)
The prerequisite examination is a prerequisite for participation in exam element a)
Exam element a)
Timing
The exam is held in connection with the teaching and is agreed individually with the supervisor. However, it must be held no later than 31. July for the spring semester and 31. January for the autumn semester.
Re-examination is discussed with the supervisor and takes place in August for the spring semester and in March for the autumn semester.
The prerequisites for participating in the exam and the examination element must be passed in the same term, otherwise both elements must be retaken.
The prerequisites for participating in the exam and the examination element must be passed in the same term, otherwise both elements must be retaken.
Prerequisites
| Type | Prerequisite name | Prerequisite course |
|---|---|---|
| Examination part | Prerequisites for participating in the exam a) | N210016101, BMB821: Thesis preparation course |
Tests
Oral examination
EKA
N210016102
Assessment
Second examiner: Internal
Grading
Pass/Fail
Identification
Student Identification Card
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
To be announced during the course
ECTS value
5
Additional information
A presentation of about 15 minutes will be prepared, followed by questions and discussion of the presentation..
A detailed description of the requirements and recommendations for the content of slides, as well as when and how these are to be submitted, will be available on itslearning.
A detailed description of the requirements and recommendations for the content of slides, as well as when and how these are to be submitted, will be available on itslearning.
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
At the faculty of science, teaching is organized after the three-phase model ie. intro, training and study phase.
- Intro phase (lectures) - 3 hours
The 3 hours of intro phase consists of an introduction to the course, and a double lecture about biopreparedness and biosafety. In addition there are supervision hours with the project supervisor. These are agreed upon individually.
Activities in the study phase:
- Literature searches and Reading
- Experimental planning
- Preparation of presentation
Timetable
Administrative Unit
Team at Educational Law & Registration
Offered in
Recommended course of study
Transition rules
Transitional arrangements describe how a course replaces another course when changes are made to the course of study.
If a transitional arrangement has been made for a course, it will be stated in the list.
See transitional arrangements for all courses at the Faculty of Science.