Programme Specifications

N/A

September 2014

• To provide students with subject specific and transferable skills required for research careers in the field of biosciences.

• To develop an ability to synthesise concepts and ideas across disciplines and to take a holistic view of the biosciences.

• To integrate theory, experiment, investigation, fieldwork, and the development of principles into practice.

• To develop a critical and analytical approach in all aspects of study and problem solving.

The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas:

A graduate in MRes Biosciences should have knowledge and understanding of:

• The theory and practical application of scientific research.

• The planning and conducting of scientific research.

• The techniques required for data sampling and analysis.

• The requirements of successful communication of research to scientific and lay audiences.

Teaching, learning and assessment methods used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:

Teaching and learning

Lectures; tutorials; student-led seminars; problem-based learning scenarios and case studies; laboratory practicals; literature based research; field work; computer-assisted learning; research leading to a dissertation; work experience.

Assessment

Unseen examination, essays and unseen short answer examinations, exercise-based and essay assignments, project work, practical laboratory reports, seminar presentations and the dissertation project.

10.2.1) Intellectual skills

On completion of the degree scheme, students will be able to:

• Apply the skills needed for academic study and enquiry.

• Communicate (both in writing and orally) ideas and concepts.

• Evaluate research and a variety of types of information and evidence critically.

• Critically analyse information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent comprehension of theory and practice, synthesizing and summarizing the outcomes.

• Develop and apply strategies for appropriate selection of relevant information from a wide source and large body of knowledge.

• Apply knowledge and comprehension to address familiar and novel problems.

• Design an experiment, investigation, survey or other means to test a hypothesis or proposition.

• Plan & conduct research effectively.

Teaching, learning and assessment methods used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:

Teaching and learning

Student development towards these outcomes is primarily promoted through student-led seminars, laboratory & field practical classes and one-to-one tutoring for the dissertation project and the feedback from assessments. In addition lectures; tutorials; student-led seminars; problem-based learning scenarios; case studies; literature based research; computer-assisted learning also support the teaching and learning of these outcomes.

Assessment

The above skills are assessed by a variety of methods throughout the degree scheme. Depending upon the module and the nature of the specific assessment, they are assessed using exercise-based and essay assignments, project work, practical laboratory reports, the dissertation project, seminar presentations, unseen examinations essays and unseen short answer examinations,

10.2.2) Professional practical skills

On completion of the degree scheme, students will be able to:

• Design, apply and analyse various research/study techniques.

• Plan, conduct, and report on investigations, including the use of secondary data.

• Collect and record information or data in the library, laboratory or field, summarizing it using appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative techniques.

• Conceive, plan and undertake field and/or laboratory investigations in a responsible, ethical and safe manner, paying due attention to risk assessment, legislation concerning experimental animal use, relevant health and safety regulations, other legal requirements and sensitivity to the impact of investigations on the environment and stakeholders.

• Communicate effectively with individuals and organisations in a range of scenarios.

• Write for a range of audiences including academics and the wider public.

• Apply appropriate management and experimental techniques to a range of situations.

Teaching, learning and assessment methods used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:

Teaching and learning

The teaching and learning of these skills are promoted with laboratory practical classes, one-to-one tutoring for the first year skills modules, research methodologies and dissertation project, feedback from assessments, lectures, tutorials, student-led seminars, problem-based learning scenarios and case studies, literature based research, computer-assisted learning.

Assessment

Depending upon the module and the nature of the specific assessment, the skills listed above are assessed using exercise-based and essay assignments, project work, practical field or laboratory reports, the dissertation project, seminar presentations, and unseen examinations essays.

10.2.1) Intellectual skills

On completion of the degree scheme, students will be able to:

• Apply the skills needed for academic study and enquiry.

• Communicate (both in writing and orally) ideas and concepts.

• Evaluate research and a variety of types of information and evidence critically.

• Critically analyse information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent comprehension of theory and practice, synthesizing and summarizing the outcomes.

• Develop and apply strategies for appropriate selection of relevant information from a wide source and large body of knowledge.

• Apply knowledge and comprehension to address familiar and novel problems.

• Design an experiment, investigation, survey or other means to test a hypothesis or proposition.

• Plan & conduct research effectively.

Teaching, learning and assessment methods used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:

Teaching and learning

Student development towards these outcomes is primarily promoted through student-led seminars, laboratory & field practical classes and one-to-one tutoring for the dissertation project and the feedback from assessments. In addition lectures; tutorials; student-led seminars; problem-based learning scenarios; case studies; literature based research; computer-assisted learning also support the teaching and learning of these outcomes.

Assessment

The above skills are assessed by a variety of methods throughout the degree scheme. Depending upon the module and the nature of the specific assessment, they are assessed using exercise-based and essay assignments, project work, practical laboratory reports, the dissertation project, seminar presentations, unseen examinations essays and unseen short answer examinations,

10.2.2) Professional practical skills

On completion of the degree scheme, students will be able to:

• Design, apply and analyse various research/study techniques.

• Plan, conduct, and report on investigations, including the use of secondary data.

• Collect and record information or data in the library, laboratory or field, summarizing it using appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative techniques.

• Conceive, plan and undertake field and/or laboratory investigations in a responsible, ethical and safe manner, paying due attention to risk assessment, legislation concerning experimental animal use, relevant health and safety regulations, other legal requirements and sensitivity to the impact of investigations on the environment and stakeholders.

• Communicate effectively with individuals and organisations in a range of scenarios.

• Write for a range of audiences including academics and the wider public.

• Apply appropriate management and experimental techniques to a range of situations.

Teaching, learning and assessment methods used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:

Teaching and learning

The teaching and learning of these skills are promoted with laboratory practical classes, one-to-one tutoring for the first year skills modules, research methodologies and dissertation project, feedback from assessments, lectures, tutorials, student-led seminars, problem-based learning scenarios and case studies, literature based research, computer-assisted learning.

Assessment

Depending upon the module and the nature of the specific assessment, the skills listed above are assessed using exercise-based and essay assignments, project work, practical field or laboratory reports, the dissertation project, seminar presentations, and unseen examinations essays.