SM2501: Research Skills For Medical Sciences

SM2501: RESEARCH SKILLS FOR MEDICAL SCIENCES (2024-2025)

Last modified: 20 Jun 2025 15:06

Course Overview

this course cultivates literature research skills, building confidence in team-working and communication through scientific writing and seminar presentation;
it encourages student-led learning and organisation in researching a topic on human health or disease of your own choice, with tutors providing guidance;
you will learn to use online and library resources to search for information from primary research articles and relay that information in the form of a written report and a Powerpoint presentation to peers and academic tutors;
these are all fundamental skills for scientific researchers, but are also transferrable talents for many other career pathways

Course Details

Study Type	Undergraduate	Level	2
Term	Second Term	Credit Points	15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus	Aberdeen	Sustained Study	No
Co-ordinators	Dr Derryck Shewan

Qualification Prerequisites

Programme Level 2

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

One of BI1507 The Cell (Passed) or SF1503 The Cell (Foundation) (Passed) or SM1501 The Cell (Passed)
One of Anatomy (AN) (Studied) or Biochemistry (BC) (Studied) or Biotechnology (BT) (Studied) or Developmental Biology (DB) (Studied) or Genetics (GN) (Studied) or Health Sciences (HE) (Studied) or Immunology (IM) (Studied) or Molecular Biology (MB) (Studied) or Microbiology (MC) (Studied) or Pharmacology (PA) (Studied) or Physiology (PY) (Studied) or Sports Science (SR) (Studied)
Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

BI2506 Research Skills for Life Sciences (Studied)
SR3023 Academic Skills for Sports Science Professionals (Passed)

Are there a limited number of places available?

Course Description

This course focuses on enhancing core research skills for the study of the medical sciences. It is a requirement for all students with degree intentions in the School of Medical Sciences. The course develops the essential skills that are needed to undertake a research project. Its aim is to instil an active student-driven approach to learning based on curiosity and exploration of knowledge as opposed to passive acquisition. Students work in groups of 6 and will research a particular topic related to the general theme of 'Health and Disease'. Students learn to critically analyse published work, evaluate sources of information, basic presentation skills.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers

Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 21st September 2026 for Term 1 and Full Year courses and 8th January 2027 for Term 2 courses.

Summative Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	40
Assessment Weeks	36	Feedback Weeks		Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	Timed Essay	Word Count

Learning Outcomes

Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on or with the Course Coordinator
Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome

Peer Review

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	5
Assessment Weeks		Feedback Weeks		Look up Week Numbers
Feedback

Learning Outcomes

Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on or with the Course Coordinator
Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome

Oral Presentation: Individual

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	40
Assessment Weeks	36	Feedback Weeks		Look up Week Numbers
Feedback

Learning Outcomes

Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on or with the Course Coordinator
Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome

Tutorial

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	15
Assessment Weeks	36	Feedback Weeks		Look up Week Numbers
Feedback

Learning Outcomes

Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on or with the Course Coordinator
Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Procedural	Apply	Take responsibility for ensuring that the group delivers the research project
Procedural	Apply	Understand how to use library facilities to perform a basic literature search and assemble relevant information
Procedural	Understand	Understand the importance of critical appraisal of information sources and the reality of conflicting views on important research topics
Conceptual	Apply	Explain and educate your peers on information that you have learned about the group topic
Procedural	Apply	Carry out work in a disciplined manner as part of a team
Procedural	Apply	Develop transferable skills related to teamwork, time management, communication and information technology skills
Reflection	Understand	Understand the meaning of plagiarism and take responsibility for ensuring that the group’s project is a true reflection of the group’s own work
Procedural	Understand	Understand the basis of scientific investigation and the importance of hypothesis driven enquiry
Conceptual	Analyse	Demonstrate the skills needed to write an individual report of the project under exam conditions
Procedural	Apply	Demonstrate basic computing and communication skills to create an oral presentation

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