Module FOUN0791: Academic Practice for Scientists

Department: Foundation Year

FOUN0791: Academic Practice for Scientists

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• • Academic Practice for Social Scientists • Academic Practice for Business • Academic Practice and Basic Skills for Medicine • Academic Practice for Arts and Humanities

Aims

• To provide students with a background in academic conventions and expectations in the Sciences to prepare them to join the Community of Practice of their chosen discipline;
• To provide students with a grounding in study skills and their supporting technology;
• To develop reflective practice;
• To develop an academic voice
• To develop critical analysis.

Content

• Study of academic writing process (note-taking, planning, drafting, proof-reading);
• Study of selection of sources for academic study in Science;
• Study of exam techniques;
• Study of referencing and citation styles within Science;
• Study of research methodologies within Science;
• Study of Critical Thinking and Analysis;
• Study of how to use online library catalogue and search tools;
• Practice of oral skills;
• Practice of written communication skills
• Practice of library research tasks;
• Use of standard software packages;
• Use of DUO and associated tools.

Learning Outcomes

• On successful completion the student will be able to:
• 1. Understand the concept of academic malpractice and how to avoid it ;
• 2. Use referencing styles appropriate to their future course of study;
• 3. Select and use a research methodology appropriate to their future course of study.

• On successful completion the student will:
• 1. Be able to produce written work in an academic style appropriate to their future course of study
• 2. Be able to use appropriate skills and strategies to avoid plagiarism;
• 3. Be able to use the Durham Library Service to perform appropriate research tasks;
• 4. Be able to use online information resources selectively and appropriately;
• 5. Be able to construct a bibliography in a style appropriate to their future course of study;
• 6. Be able to reference a piece of work appropriately;

• By the end of this module students will be able to:
• 1. Communicate effectively orally and visually.
• 2. Apply number both in the tackling of numerical problems and in the collecting, recording, interpreting and presenting of data.
• 3. Demonstrate problem solving skills.
• 4. Demonstrate critical thinking skills.
• 5. Use IT in the presentation of a project.
• 6. Communicate effectively in writing
• Project will assess SSK1, SSK2, SSK3, SSS1, SSS2, SSS3, SSS4, SSS5, SSS6,KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5, KS6
• Exam will access SSS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS6

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

• Students will develop their key skills through a range of structured individual, group and whole class activities. Many of these activities will be linked to material on current issues, giving students the opportunity to practice applying their subject knowledge and to develop skills in critical analysis.
• Students will be encouraged to reflect on their own learning; identify strengths and weaknesses; and structure some of their own future learning through diagnostic exercises and completion of a personal learning portfolio. This process will be supported and formatively assessed through individual tutorial interviews.
• The assessments for the module will comprise a project and a test. This will encourage students to use their skills holistically and recognise how they can be combined to support further study.
• In addition to obtaining an overall weighted mark of 50% or above, students must obtain a mark of 50% or above for the following element/s - Presentation

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Self-diagnostic tests, exercises or formative activities will be set on a weekly basis.

■ 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