NEM-20306 Research Methodology in Plant Sciences

Course

Credits 6.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Lectures4
Practical extensively supervised9
Practical intensively supervised14
Project learning32
Course coordinator(s)dr. ir. A Goverse
Lecturer(s)dr. ir. A Goverse
drs. LFP Pijnenburg
Examiner(s)dr. ir. A Goverse
drs. LFP Pijnenburg

Language of instruction:

Dutch

Assumed knowledge on:

BSc1 and BSc2 courses Plant Sciences (BPW)

Continuation courses:

BSc3 courses Plant Sciences (BPW), including BSc Thesis Plant Science (YPS-82318)

Contents:

To integrate disciplinary knowledge and technical and academic skills obtained in the compulsory and restricted optional courses of the BSc2 Plant Sciences, a small project will be done at a Plant Sciences chair group in which a full research proposal has to be defined. The project includes literature study, defining a research question and an outline for practical work, data analysis and interpretation. It is concluded by writing a paper on the proposal.
Additional subjects in this course are:
- reflection on various scientific approaches and resarch methodologies in the field of plant sciences and on normative values for science;
- self assessment of study progress as well as knowledge and skills obtained in the BSc2 to make relevant choices for the final year of the BSc, and to orientate on career perspectives.

Learning outcomes:

After completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- recognize and describe different scientific approaches in research;
- form a reasoned opinion about the scientific and social functioning of Plant Sciences;
- apply integrated disciplinary knowledge, technical and academic skills to design a research proposal for a project in their field of interest within Plant Sciences;
- write a project proposal;
- reflect on study progress and make argued choices for study planning and career perspectives.

Activities:

Lectures, practical and project work presentation, preparing research proposal and a paper.

Examination:

The final grade is based on assessment of the research proposal and paper.

Literature:

Study guide and reader.

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Compulsory for: BPWPlant SciencesBSc6WD