Honours Programme Project

Through choosing and conducting one of the projects listed below, the students learns how to make a project (or research) plan, how to do an in-depth investigation of the possibilities, solutions or research area, and how to present this project plan to fellow student/faculty colleagues.

The student is expected to work independently on a project outside the regular NB curriculum. The objective is to get acquainted and get trained on a NB topic which sparks your interest. The student will be supervised by a faculty member of the GreenList (see GreenList for Nanobiology in the TNW Thesis Office Brightspace page)

NB2903 Honour Programme project has a workload of 196 hours or 7 ECs. Alternatively, a student may choose to do a Research Project worth of 5 EC instead of 7 EC (slightly different code NB2905HPB). The remaining 2 EC can then be covered by doing an extra interdisciplinary honours course.

The HP projects has four options, each option requires approval before beginning from either the NB HP director or coordinator:

The common theme is that the student identifies a problem and a possible solution. It can be seen as initial work leading to an actual BEP. It is different from a BEP, because in the honours project a student can formulate his/her own topic, instead of receiving it from a supervisor.

1. Write a research proposal

2. Write a business plan

3. Write an in-depth research overview

4. In-depth topical study by choosing one or two electives courses, which form a consistent whole, without overlapping the regular NB curriculum.

Note: the HP director approves options 1-3 (projects) and the HP coordinator approves option 4 (coursework)

The proposed HP Project options in more details:

1. The student develops a research proposal (research question plus an experimental plan) to test a nanobiology related hypothesis under supervision of a Nanobiology faculty member. This project includes background identification in regards to an open question and designing an experimental approach to test it. There could also be included time to carry out a (limited) set of preliminary/ Proof of Principle experiments.
   The goal here is to think how to define a question, how to design an experiment and how to do a test to see if it works. In outstanding cases you might follow up your proposal with an actual BEP.
   

2. The student proposes a business plan in order to solve a (societal) problem by using the knowledge gained in the Nanobiology field. The project will be conducted in consultation with a faculty member, whose work is related to the problem or parts of the solution. This project implies identifying a problem, a solution and making a plan how to implement (produce) the solution. A proposal is written to show how the idea the student has will be tested: identify critical issues that needs solving, identify the state of the art and what is needed, propose a solution or a product or process, describe how this would benefit, describe how to test. The project does not have to involve conducting experiments or an actual development of the product, but should include a realistic/accurate description or plan of experimental tests.
   
   The goal is to understand the process of identifying important questions and proposing realistic solutions and practical needs and adequate experimental tests.
   

3. The student carries out an in-depth research overview (literature search, interviews, participate in lab group without having to do -extensive- experimental work) into a topic introduced during or related to Nanobiology. Implementation can include participation in ongoing research via work discussions, and acquiring detailed background knowledge on a topic of research. The project results in a written review and/or tutorial for fellow students on this topic. The project may require taking part in a research group.
   
   The goal is to learn how to process information from literature and to make it useful for peers in the form of tutorial or written review.
   

4. Student chooses one or two courses (of in total 7 or more EC) that will offer more in-depth knowledge on a specific topic of the student's interest. The courses can be chosen from another BSc, or electives from a MSc program within TU Delft and EUR. Mandatory MSc courses cannot be taken. The goal is to give the HP students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge on a NB related topic that sparks their interest.
   Examples: courses from either Physics, Molecular Science en Technology (more biochemistry), Life Science en Technology, or from Math programmes.
   Note: this HP project option can only be chosen under the condition that it can be scheduled without any conflict with existing Nanobiology courses.
   Note2: Besides approval from the honours coordinator, you will need approval from the course teachers that you are allowed to participate (including having enough prerequired knowledge, and that there are available seats).