Module FOUN0711: Introduction to Science

Department: Foundation Year

FOUN0711: Introduction to Science

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

Aims

• to encourage students to develop confidence in their own abilities in science.
• to introduce a basic bank of knowledge on which students can build either by the process of self study or in further courses of directed study.
• to develop confidence in a laboratory situation.
• to introduce a range of equipment.
• to develop observational and interpretative skills.
• to develop students' learning skills.
• to develop students' ability to apply science concepts to problem solving .
• to develop scientific report-writing, data handling and critical evaluation.

Content

• Life process, variation and interdependence
• Energy transfer, electricity and force
• Chemical reactions and particle models
• Changing environment and sustainability
• Scientific concepts will be introduced using an holistic approach and under the general theme of energy.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module students will have acquired the knowledge to be able to:
• describe the basic concepts involved in Life process, variation and interdependence
• describe the basic concepts involved in Energy transfer, electricity and force
• describe the basic concepts involved in Chemical reactions and particle models
• describe the basic concepts involved in Changing environment and sustainability

• By the end of the module students will have acquired the skills to be able to:
• apply scientific concepts to solve problems
• use the Periodic Table.
• work confidently and effectively in a laboratory, with due attention to safety.
• relate observations and data to underlying theory.
• write a scientific report with critical evaluation.
• select and use basic lab equipment.

• be able to communicate effectively in writing
• be able to apply number both in the tackling of numerical problems and in the collecting, recording, interpreting and presenting of data
• be able to demonstrate problem solving skills.
• Portfolio of selected tasks will cover : SSK1-4, SSS 1-6, KS 1-3
• Invigilated exam will cover: SSK 1-4, SSS 1-3, KS 1-3

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

• Theory, initial concepts and techniques will be introduced during Seminars, lectures, demonstrations and practicals/workshops.
• Much of the learning, understanding and consolidation will take place through the use of structured practicals during sessions and independent research during students own time.
• A variety of tasks will be set on a weekly basis. These may include sets of questions to test understanding, short problems requiring explanations of observations or scientific calculations and short library research tasks. These tasks will also include a number of laboratory reports. These tasks serve both a formative and a summative role, with a selection of them submitted within the coursework portfolio.
• Knowledge and ability to use and apply concepts will be tested by an end of module exam.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment

Students will be given self-testing units on a weekly or fortnightly basis in the form of worksheets with answers and/or DUO quizzes. The weekly tasks, including the laboratory reports, with a rapid marking turnaround fulfill a formative as well as summative role (See Section 14). Students have access to two or more mock papers and answers to help prepare for the exam.