So it's around the time of year where quite a few final year undergraduate students are looking at their final year projects, and writing their dissertations. I wanted to talk about my experiences and to share some advice to help make the process (hopefully) a little easier!
My project was based on the gene expression with increasing levels of amyloid deposition in a mouse model of Alzheimer's Disease. This involved me taking data from my supervisor and using gene analysis to see which genes were over or under expressed! I chose a dry lab project as it gave me bioinformatics experience which I was lacking in, so helped me widen my field. I'd say having a wide range of experiences definitely helps you to find what you enjoy in science, so take a look at the projects on offer for your dissertation and find something that interests you!
Keep notes from all of your supervisor meetings, write them up and email dates to do things by to your supervisor. This will help avoid any confusion of advice given, and will help keep you both to deadlines
Make sure that you organise your time. Whether that's time in the lab, doing analysis or doing your write up, make sure you plan your project around your other university work and commitments. Try to have a space where you work well, and dedicate some time to your write up
Keep on top of your notes! Make sure you keep everything backed up, and in a way that makes sense to you
With your write up, make sure everything is clear and concise. If there's an original paper on the idea your project is on then reference it, then keep your references up to date, and don't leave all of your referencing to the last minute! Include figures and make sure they're clean and uniform. If you have to do a poster presentation as part of your dissertation, make sure you bullet point text and don't overload the reader with information
Enjoy it! A dissertation is hard work, but it's such a great way to research something you love and produce a piece of work you can be proud of. Look after your stress levels throughout, and getting background reading in early really helps!
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