Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Tutorial | 11 x 1 Hour Tutorials |
| Lecture | 9 x 1 Hour Lectures |
| Tutorial | 1 x 3 Hour Tutorial |
| Workshop | 1 x 1 Hour Workshop |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Scientific writing 1 (essay). | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | Note taking skills 1. | 10% |
| Semester Assessment | Exam skills. | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | Oral presentation. | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | Note taking skills 2. | 10% |
| Semester Assessment | Scientific writing 2 (essay). | 20% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Plan, research and write essays on biological topics
2. Identify different types of exam questions and answer them appropriately
3. Deliver a structured talk on a biological subject
4. Work effectively as part of a team
5. Make concise, comprehensive notes during lectures, workshops and practicals
6. Reflect and evaluate the academic and personal skills acquired during their degree
Brief description
The module will be delivered on a tutorial and large group basis with discussions to back up the work in other modules in an informal situation. There will be an emphasis on writing essays and giving oral presentations within a biological context. It will also provide the opportunity for the Academic and Personal Progress Review (APPR) for each student.
Content
Through a series of taught large group sessions and small group tutorials students will be provided with the opportunity to develop and enhance their oral and written communication skills. Students will be given guidance and support to develop a number of key transferrable skills such as note taking, essay writing, examination skills, teamwork and presentation skills. Students will also be encouraged to develop reflective practice and evaluation of their academic and personal skills through the integrated APPR programme.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | |
| Communication | Students will be expected to listen effectively in the tutorials and large group sessions, and initiate/contribute to subsequent discussions. They will have the opportunity to work in small groups for the presentation which will require the oral exchange of ideas/data. The students will be expected to produce coherent written documentation for their essays. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Outside the formal contact hours, students will be expected to research materials, manage time and meet deadlines. The note taking exercises will provide an opportunity for students to explore their own learning styles and preferences, and identify their needs and barriers to learning. Students will be able to review and monitor their progress and plan for improvement of personal performance through self-awareness and reflection. |
| Information Technology | The students will be required to access online databases such as ISI Web of Knowledge and Google Scholar to find primary literature. They will also be expected to be competent in the use of word processing and presentation software for the delivery of assessed work. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Students will gain confidence in their ability to evaluate biological problems through an awareness of their personal skills and objectively assess the quality of proposed solutions. |
| Problem solving | Through the tutorials and large group sessions students will be encouraged to critically analyse information gathered/provided and identify appropriate solutions where problems arise. They will also be expected to critically evaluate these solutions in a biological context. Feedback will be provided where appropriate. |
| Research skills | Students will research topics beyond the depth and scope of the session material using independent study, and during the write up of the practical reports. They will be expected to produce academically appropriate reports, and where necessary comment, evaluate and scrutinize the information obtained/experiment conducted. |
| Subject Specific Skills | |
| Team work | Students will work effectively in small groups for the presentations. They will be expected to contribute to the planning and organisation of the presentation. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 3