YML-80321 BSc Thesis MLS Part 2

Course

Credits 21.00

Language of instruction:

Dutch and/or English

Assumed knowledge on:

All earlier compulsory courses from the BSc program Molecular Life Sciences

Contents:

In this thesis-oriented course students work individually on a subject related to the research activities of one or more of the participating chair groups (laboratories). The main activity is to perform a research project with an experimental character. In general, the subjects that can be chosen are supervised by researchers from one or more chair groups and have a multidisciplinary character. Every year new subjects may be offered to the students. Important aspects are working in a research setting and defining objectives for the research project, formulating a model or hypothesis, and making a working plan. Furthermore, an instruction and assignment on finding papers in the scientific literature is part of the course.
In addition, during the course the student's ethics portfolio will be discussed with one of the study advisors. The course can be completed only if all reports for the portfolio have been handed in and qualified as sufficient.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course the student is expected to:
- to be able to function in a research setting as demonstrated by his or her performance during the thesis;
- to be able to apply fundamental scientific knowledge dealing with problems in a multi-disciplinary setting;
- to have insight into and be able to apply methods commonly used to search the scientific literature;
- to be able to define objectives for a research project, formulate a model or hypothesis, and plan and perform experiments;
- to be able to adequately report on the research, both orally and in writing;
- to be properly prepared for a continuing master program;
- to be able to develop and express a well-founded opinion on ethical, social or environmental issues with respect to science;
- to find out whether the student is suited for a research master.

Activities:

Literature research, writing an essay on social / ethical aspects of a problem related to the research subject, analysis of the research subject in a multidisciplinary way, making a working plan, designing and performing experiments, and presentation of the results, both orally and in writing.

Examination:

The final mark is given individually for each student based on the general format for theses.
Assessment of the ethics portfolio

Literature:

Not available.