The individual research project will form 50% of the course mark (90 credits). The project will enable students to focus on an area that interests them, using Kew’s vast scientific collections, resources and landscapes. Projects can be based at either institution (Kew or QMUL) depending on the specialism, or can have joint supervision with time spent at both institutions. Projects may also be based at the Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst in Sussex.
This module will involve a novel piece of research, typically either a desk-based study or an experimental study with associated data analysis. Most projects are chosen from those offered to students by research staff, so that students can benefit from close alignment with the current research of specific groups at QMUL or Kew. The diversity of expertise among the programme’s lecturers means that good supervision can be found for a broad range of studies, from plant conservation to fungal systematics, at local, national or international scales.
Students will write up the results of their research project as a scientific paper that aims to make a novel contribution to scientific knowledge. They will also present a research seminar based on their work, to an audience of staff and peers who will have the opportunity to ask questions. In both elements, students should demonstrate familiarity with the relevant literature, current scientific understanding and the challenges to which the research contributes. In undertaking such an extensive project, students are expected to show a sound understanding of project design, sample collection and data analysis, as well as the ability to produce a coherent and well-structured written scientific paper. Students are also be given the opportunity to develop their own projects in agreement with supervisors.
During semester A, students will receive a list of project proposals, from which they can select projects to be considered for. Through this period they should discuss projects with potential supervisors in order to understand the project further and the level of support they are likely to receive.
From the end of the fifth taught module , students will undertake lab or field work, and then write up their report for submission at the end of August. Student research seminar presentations will take place at the end of June. It is likely that the sixth taught module, Field Study Skills in a Biodiversity Hotspot, will occur during the first part of the project timeline. Students and supervisors will be given warning on when they will need to break from their project to attend the field trip.
