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ADMASP: Animal Science Research Project Plan

ADMASP: Animal Science Research Project Plan

Module code: ADMASP

Module provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development

Credits: 60

ECTS credits: 30

Level: 7

When you’ll be taught: Full year

Module convenor: Dr Caroline Rymer, email: c.rymer@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2026/7

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 25 March 2026

Overview

Module aims and purpose

As part of the MSc by Research in Animal Science, in this entirely practical module, you’ll develop a research question and an in-depth analysis of this question, and you’ll plan systematically for your research project to test the researchable hypothesis you have developed.

The aims of this module are:

  • To develop students’ research skills to enable them to conduct research projects successfully and independently.
  • To identify a suitable topic, and undertake a critical review and analysis of the literature.
  • To plan and cost a programme of research to test the hypothesis or research question

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

  1. Critically appraise and review relevant scientific literature
  2. Articulate an appropriate researchable hypothesis in the field of animal science
  3. Develop a logical framework for a research project to test this hypothesis, with justified aims, objectives, activities and objectively verifiable indicators
  4. Produce a plan of the timings and costs of the research project that will test this hypothesis

Module content

An online discussion will be held to identify an appropriate research project.  This may be to address a research question at the student’s place of work, or it may be part of a research programme being undertaken by the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Reading. The student will then complete an in depth systematic review of the relevant literature, including (if relevant) a meta- analysis of published data.  This will inform the development of the hypothesis, and devising a costed programme of work, justifying the selection of the experimental design and methodology to be used and written up as a fully costed proposal.  

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Online discussions with supervisor including formative feedback on drafts of the review and proposal and consideration of the reflective diary.  

Study hours


 Scheduled teaching and learning activities  Semester 1  Semester 2  Summer
Lectures 6
Seminars
Tutorials
Project Supervision 28 34 14
Demonstrations
Practical classes and workshops
Supervised time in studio / workshop
Scheduled revision sessions
Feedback meetings with staff 20 20 10
Fieldwork
External visits
Work-based learning


 Self-scheduled teaching and learning activities  Semester 1  Semester 2  Summer
Directed viewing of video materials/screencasts
Participation in discussion boards/other discussions
Feedback meetings with staff
Other
Other (details)


 Placement and study abroad  Semester 1  Semester 2  Summer
Placement
Study abroad

Please note that the hours listed above are for guidance purposes only.

 Independent study hours  Semester 1  Semester 2  Summer
Independent study hours 156 156 156

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Type of assessment Detail of assessment % contribution towards module mark Size of assessment Submission date Additional information
Written coursework assignment Systematic literature review 60 10,000 words Semester 2, Teaching Week 8
Written coursework assignment Project proposal 40 5,000 words Summer, Dissertation Week 1

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

  • where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each calendar day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three calendar days;
  • where the piece of work is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in you Individual Learning Plan), the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
  • where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan), no penalty shall be imposed;
  • where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

  • where the piece of work is submitted within three calendar days of the deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): no penalty will be applied;
  • where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

Where a piece of work is submitted late after a deadline which has been revised owing to an extension granted through the Assessment Adjustments policy and process (self-certified or otherwise), it will be subject to the maximum penalty (i.e., considered to be more than three calendar days late). This will also apply when such an extension is used in conjunction with a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Discussion and feedback on the proposed project will be given.  Formative feedback will provided on drafts of the literature review. Discussion and advice on the costing of the proposal and the appropriateness of the research methodology selected.

Reassessment

Type of reassessment Detail of reassessment % contribution towards module mark Size of reassessment Submission date Additional information
Written coursework assignment Systematic review 60 10,000 words
Written coursework assignment Project proposal 40 5,000 words

Additional costs

Item Additional information Cost
Computers and devices with a particular specification
Printing and binding
Required textbooks
Specialist clothing, footwear, or headgear
Specialist equipment or materials
Travel, accommodation, and subsistence

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT’S CONTRACT.

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