Module BIOL40515: Technology in the Biosciences

Department: Biosciences

BIOL40515: Technology in the Biosciences

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To provide an overview of recent technological developments and their application to the Biosciences.
• To develop an understanding of the theoretical aspects and practical skills underpinning technological advances in the Biosciences.
• To provide an overall appreciation of the strategies and technologies employed in the Biosciences and their translation to support plant science, plant biotechnology and agriculture.

Content

• Seminars on current advances in the Biosciences including cell transformation, gene cloning, gene expression systems, genetic modification and bioimaging.
• Laboratory workshops linked to the seminar topics to provide practical experience in these molecular technologies

Learning Outcomes

• Understanding of how new technologies are being applied in basic research.
• An understanding of a range of lab-based techniques including advanced microscopy and key molecular biology skills.

• To be able to carry out key molecular biology technical skills.
• To work effectively in a group to plan and design experiments.
• To accurately record experimental data, draw conclusions and present results in both lab book and poster format.
• To be able to integrate information from different sources (seminars, scientific literature, lab experiments) to understand the application of technology in the Biosciences.
• To evaluate and discuss technological advances and their application in the Biosciences.
• 8 seminars will be delivered over the 3 weeks of the module and students will have the opportunity to engage with the speakers. Students will attend 3 lab sessions per week, for 3 weeks. The lab sessions are organised as workshops where students will perform group activities in a dynamic format. Three tutorial sessions will take place at the end of each week.

• Literacy, in being able to consult and extract information from printed and on-line materials.
• Critical thinking relevant to technology in the biosciences (e.g. assessment of primary literature).
• Self-motivation, in self-guided learning.
• Time management and planning.
• Teamwork

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

• Seminars and associated lab-based workshops deliver subject-specific knowledge and support the development of key and subject-specific skills.
• Lab-based practical sessions deliver subject-specific practical skills.
• Self-guided learning contributes to subject-specific knowledge and self-motivation.
• To assess the student understanding of the theoretical and technical aspects of the technologies and their application, the students will complete a lab book with coverage of lab methods and results (assignment), and a poster explaining the theory, practice and applications of a technique of their choosing. In addition lab performance (practical) will be assessed through evaluation of attendance, punctuality, teamwork, experimental planning and recording.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Formative feedback on a draft poster plan Formative verbal feedback on lab performance Formative verbal feedback on lab book presentation

■ 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