Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2014-2015 (archived)

Module BIOL1307: MATHEMATICS FOR BIOSCIENCES (SHORT MODULE)

Department: Biological and Biomedical Sciences

BIOL1307: MATHEMATICS FOR BIOSCIENCES (SHORT MODULE)

Type Open Level 1 Credits 10 Availability Available in 2014/15 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to

Prerequisites

  • <None>

Corequisites

  • • A minimum of two modules from: BIOL1151 Physiology, BIOL1161 Organisms and Environment, BIOL1171 Genetics, BIOL1281 Molecules and Cells.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To provide students with a foundation in core mathematical techniques needed in modern biology and biomedicine.
  • To provide students with a foundation in statistical techniques needed in modern biology and biomedicine.

Content

  • Core mathematics, including algebra, scientific notation, graphs and functions, elementary calculus, introduction to modelling.
  • Statistics, including probability, means and errors, distributions, null hypothesis, statistical tests, analysis of variance, non-parametric statistics, linear regression.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Knowledge of basic mathematical techniques used to support calculations and data analysis in biological and biomedical sciences
  • Knowledge of common statistical methods used in data analysis in biological and biomedical analysis
  • Appreciation of basic scientific method and experimental design
Subject-specific Skills:
  • To be able to use simple mathematical formulae to carry out calculations and plot graphs
  • To be able to use common statistical analysis to test experimental data for fit to a distribution, and to work out and compare means, look for associations and to estimate signficance of differences
Key Skills:
  • Numeracy, in data analysis, and applying statistical tests
  • Self-motivation, in independent work on problem sets
  • Presentation skills, in appropriate use of graphical techniques for data visualisation

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
  • Problem classes allow students to utilise subject-specific knowledge gained from lectures, and support the development of key and subject-specific skills
  • Self-guided learning contributes to subject-specific knowledge and self-motivation
  • Problem exercises (Data Handling) demonstrate subject-specific skills in data handling and key skills in numeracy applied to biological and biomedical sciences
  • Unseen tests (examinations) demonstrate achievement of the appropriate level of subject-specific knowledge of basic mathematical operations, and of skills in utilising mathematical analysis in calculations and data analysis

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 16 1 hour 16
Workshops 5 1-2 hours 7 ■
Preparation & Reading 77
Total 100

Summative Assessment

Component: Continuous Assessment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Departmental Test I 1 hour 33% No
Departmental Test II 2 hours 67% No

Formative Assessment:

Formatively assessed problem sets associated with problem classes.

■ 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