Module Information
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Practical Report 2000 Words | 65% |
| Semester Assessment | Group Oral Presentation 5 Minutes | 35% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Practical Report 2000 Words | 65% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Presentation 5 Minutes | 35% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Communicate information and ideas in the form of oral and written presentations.
Develop a reasoned argument and challenge assumptions.
Formulate hypotheses and research questions, undertake data collection, and make academic arguments.
Identify appropriate data sources and information resources.
Instill appropriate academic conduct (e.g. avoiding unacceptable practice).
Interpret and use data.
Demonstrate basic computer literacy.
Follow an experimental protocol
Record, interpret and report experimental data appropriately
Present data/concepts through a variety of media
Brief description
The module is intended to prepare students with the key skills necessary for a successful academic and professional career such as time management, critical thinking and reflective learning. An important aspect of the module is an introduction to a range of research issues such as literature evaluation, qualitative and quantitative data assessment and oral, visual and written communication. The module content is delivered through a range of formats including lectures, workshops, e-learning and tutorials. In semester 2 students will undertake a series of linked experiments that will develop basic practical skills required for research across biology. Group working skills will be developed through tutorials, which will also provide guidance in presentation/interpretation of experimental data.
Aims
Students studying biological sciences need early introduction to a set of basic molecular laboratory skills. This module will also use a series of integrated experiments to introduce students to these fundamental techniques. Group working skills will be developed through tutorials, which will also provide guidance presentation/interpretation of experimental data.
Content
5 x 1h formal introductory lectures over the first 5 weeks of semester 1
6 x 2h tutorial sessions across the Semester (not centrally timetabled)
Semester 2
6 x 2h tutorial sessions across the Semester (not centrally timetabled)
In week 1, students will attend a series of linked lab classes every afternoon
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Adaptability and resilience | Outside the formal contact hours, students will be expected to research materials, manage time and meet deadlines. The directed study elements will provide 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. |
| Co-ordinating with others | The research for the project is undertaken in personal tutor groups to introduce students to the concepts of team-working, and, based on feedback from the group, tutors are required to comment upon the contribution of individual group members towards achieving the required group outputs. |
| Creative Problem Solving | Students may be introduced to the concepts of problem solving in developing the hypothesis to underpin their research project, but problem solving will not be an important element of skills development within this module. |
| Critical and analytical thinking | Students will be required plan and undertake a mini research project and produce an academically appropriate report in which they will also be expected to comment critically upon the experimental approaches adopted. |
| Digital capability | Across the various assignment, students are required to demonstrate effective use of a range of relevant IT software packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). |
| Professional communication | The formative essay, project report and seminar presentation, with the detailed feedback provided by personal tutors, are deigned to help develop and improve communication skills. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Application of number: Collection and scrutiny of data in terms of quality and quantity. Data interpretation. Subject specific concepts relating to biochemistry, genetics and microbiology will be developed. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of laboratory experimentation, and utilise common lab methods appropriately. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4