AM2S31: Concepts and Skills

Module Provider:

AMS

Number of credits:

10 [5 ECTS credits]

Level:

I (Intermediate)

Terms in which taught:

Spring

Module Convenor:

Dr EG Hutchinson

Pre-requisites:

BI1S11

Co-requisites:

Modules excluded:

Module version for:

2006/7

Aims:
This module aims to encourage students to:
• improve some of the skills which will enhance their own learning;
• apply their concepts and knowledge of biology to solving practical problems;
• appreciate the aims and outcomes of science through association with scientists from research groups

Assessable learning outcomes:
At the end of this module students will be able to:
• examine the careers open to biological science graduates and develop the skills to make effective applications.
• draw on data and information obtained from suitable biological information sources and analyse these appropriately to solve biological problems;
• integrate material produced by word-processing, spreadsheet and presentation software to produce oral reports on biological topics;
• present scientific results in a concise way in the form of an abstract;
• work together with others in a team, choosing aims and objectives, prioritising actions and achieving appropriate outcomes.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:
There will be lectures and seminars on:
Career opportunities in the life sciences and the information sources available;
Recruitment and selection procedures; applications, CVs and interviews;
Team working;
Writing a scientific abstract.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Career Management: There will be a short course of lectures/seminars by careers advisors and biologists employed in research and industry to introduce career management skills and explain the web-based careers assignments to be completed.
Team Projects: Introductory lectures and team-building exercises will provide a basis for the team projects. The projects will be run in groups of 5-7 with each team being allocated to a project supervised by a member of AMS staff. Informal team-based sessions will provide interaction with the supervisor as they work on the projects throughout the spring term. There will be a taught session on writing scientific abstracts to teach students key skills in this area and to assist them in the preparation of the abstract of their results.

Contact hours:

Assessment:
Coursework
Students will construct a portfolio of the careers management assignments. The mark for the portfolio will contribute 40% to the assessment: a pass must be achieved in this element of the work to pass the module.
For the team projects students will in groups present a project related to research work within the School: both an oral presentation and an abstract summarizing the results of the research will be presented and graded and these together will constitute 60% of the assessment.

Relative percentage of coursework : 100%

Penalties for late submission
No marks will be given for assessments submitted late without prior arrangement with the module coordinator.

Examinations
No examination.

Requirements for a pass
A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements
Re-examination in September only