Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2013-2014 (archived)
Module BIOL1181: Introduction to Biosciences Research
Department: Biological and Biomedical Sciences
BIOL1181: Introduction to Biosciences Research
| Type | Open | Level | 1 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Available in 2013/14 | Module Cap | None. | Location | Durham |
|---|
Prerequisites
- Any ‘A’ Level Science subject
Corequisites
- None
Excluded Combination of Modules
- None
Aims
- To present leading-edge research in biological sciences in a format suitable for a non-specialist audience.
- To raise awareness that current bioscience research has multiple approaches and the approaches taken are a result of many influences on the researcher.
- To discuss the external drivers of current bioscience research.
- To examine science communication and public understanding of science in the context of developments in research in biosciences.
- To illustrate key factors of good and bad science.
Content
- Research presentations by leading researchers on biological topics.
- Seminars and workshops on public understanding of science.
- Assignments designed to promote self-learning of key concepts.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- Knowledge of contemporary research topics in biological sciences at a basic level.
- Understanding of methods of communication in fostering public understanding of science.
- Understanding of how research is carried out in the biosciences.
Subject-specific Skills:
- To prepare a written report on a specific topic that is orgainsed and critical, and takes account of current developments in research in the field.
- To be aware of teh wider ethical and social impact of advances in biological sciences.
- Experimental design for the biosciences at an elementary level.
Key Skills:
- Literacy, in being able to consult and extract information from printed and on-line sources.
- Self-motivation, in self-guided learning.
- Analytical thinking.
- Presentation skills.
- Working in a group.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Lectures deliver subject-specific knowledge.
- Workshops reinforce subject-specific knowledge and understanding gained from lectures and the development of key and subject-specific skills.
- Self-guided learning contributes to subject-specific knowledge and self-motivation.
- Essays: demonstrate understanding of scientific topics and ability to synthesise information from different sources to produce a piece of written work which provides evidence of the student's level of knowledge.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 18 | Weekly | 1 hour | 18 | |
| Seminars / Workshops | 7 | Fortnightly | 2 hours | 14 | |
| Preparation and Reading | 168 | ||||
| TOTAL | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Examination | Component Weighting: 40% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Unseen formal examination | 1.5 hours | 100% | |
| Component: Continuous Assessment | Component Weighting: 60% | ||
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Journal | 42% | ||
| Interview essay | 33% | ||
| Departmental test | 2 hours | 25% | |
Formative Assessment:
Work associated with workshops / seminars
■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University