Module BIOL4111: WORKSHOP MBiol

Department: Biosciences

BIOL4111: WORKSHOP MBiol

Tied To

• C107: Biosciences

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

Aims

• To allow students to undertake a series of practical exercises using advanced techniques to study research topics in biological or biomedical sciences

Content

• Laboratory-based investigations of research topics in biological and biomedical sciences.
• Training in application of biological, biochemical and molecular biological techniques underpinning the above.
• Training in use of online resources relevant for research techniques.
• Analysis and interpretation of data collected in the laboratory.
• Training in health and safety aspects of laboratory work.
• Project design and execution in a laboratory environment.

Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge of the application of a variety of laboratory methods to investigate physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology of plants and animals, or aspects of human biology.
• Knowledge of analytical techniques used in the study of biological and biomedical sciences.
• Understanding of good laboratory practice in safe working, record keeping, and data collection.
• Critical understanding of relevant research to the limits of current knowledge.

• Ability to undertake supervised laboratory-based research.
• Interpretative skills at an advanced level for laboratory-collected data.

• Literacy, in being able to consult and extract information from printed and on-line archives.
• Data analysis, in interpretation and critical analysis of data.
• Communication skills, in presenting report.
• Team work, in carrying out practical work in the laboratory.
• Self-motivation, in independent work on report.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Workshops: extended experimental work in an area of biological sciences in which the student works as a member of a team. The course involves practically-based training in a residential setting. These courses are taught to smaller groups. The student is given the opportunity to gain experience of a range of practical techniques, often involving the use of state of the art equipment, and is required to produce an extended report involving data analysis, and critical understanding of relevant research to the limits of current knowledge.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment

Informal tests.