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: BIC, BIP, BNT, GEN, MIB, MOB, ORC, PCC and PPH. The students start with an instruction and assignment on finding papers in the scientific literature. 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.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are 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.

Activities:

- literature research;
- 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;
- presentation of the results, both orally and in writing.

Examination:

students are evaluated based on:
- assignment on scientific writing and finding scientific papers (go/ no-go);
- research competences (25%);
- experimental skills (25%);
- report (30%);
- oral presentation (10%);
- final discussion (10%);

Literature:

More information on how to organise the BSc thesis and the thesis contract can be found here:
https://portal2.wur.nl/sites/MLS/BSc/BSc%20thesis/default.aspx