A typical project will involve "hands-on" wetlab experimentation and data analysis, although theoretical and computationally-oriented projects are also possible. The projects are available on the web sites of SV laboratories or discussed directly with a potential head of lab. The students are confronted with the realization of a laboratory-based project integrating specific aspects of molecular medicine or neuroscience. This project will allow them to apply, to concrete problems, skills of domain and transversal skills acquired during their studies.

Having finished a master course in a domain relevant to the project.

• Manage an individual research project
• Develop expertise in a specific area of research
• Implement appropriate technologies to address the scientific or engineering problem being studied
• Conduct experiments appropriate the specific problem being studied
• Assess / Evaluate data obtained in wetlab and computational experiments
• Interpret data obtained in wetlab and computational experiments
• Optimize experimental protocols and data presentation
• Plan experiments to test hypotheses based on obtained results

• Assess progress against the plan, and adapt the plan as appropriate.
• Plan and carry out activities in a way which makes optimal use of available time and other resources.
• Use a work methodology appropriate to the task.
• Continue to work through difficulties or initial failure to find optimal solutions.
• Keep appropriate documentation for group meetings.
• Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking
• Demonstrate a capacity for creativity.
• Collect data.
• Write a literature review which assesses the state of the art.
• Make an oral presentation.

Students will focus on hands-on experimentation, which may be wetlab-based or computer-based, depending on the project. Students will read and discuss assigned papers from the original scientific literature. As part of the evaluation process, students are required to submit a written report and give an oral presentation that summarizes and interprets their results.

Continuous control

Written report

Oral presentation

Appropriate reading materials will be assigned by the student's mentor depending on the nature of the research project. The assigned reading material will usually comprise original research papers, review articles, and secondary sources (e.g., books).

• http://sv.epfl.ch/brain-mindhttp://sv.epfl.ch/brain-mind
• http://sv.epfl.ch/global-healthhttp://sv.epfl.ch/global-health
• http://sv.epfl.ch/ISREChttp://sv.epfl.ch/ISREC
• http://sv.epfl.ch/bioengineeringhttp://sv.epfl.ch/bioengineering