Meet the admissions requirements of the Science Foundation Year

Indge.B, Rowland. M, Baker. M. A new introduction to Biology Hodder & Stoughton (2000) ISBN 0-340-78167
Fullick A Biology Heinemann 2nd edition (2000) ISBN 0-435-57095 1
Rowland M Biology Nelson 1992 ISBN 0-17-438425-4

An end of module test (60%) to test outcomes (i) to (v)
The end of module test will be for 11/2 hours duration

Coursework, totalling 40%, made up of: Continuous assessment to test practical components (outcome (v) and written assignments totalling 1000 words (or equivalent) to assess learning outcomes (i) to (iv).

Additional Assessment Information:
Students will be required to complete 2 pieces of summative assessment, namely coursework and an end of module examination. These will be used to assess both mastery of the subject of each module and the attainment of study skills. Both elements will be used to assess the former of these (these elements will, respectively, be given weightings of 40 % and 60%), whilst study skills will be wholly assessed via the coursework element. In each case, the nature of the coursework will be chosen to develop one or more facets of study skills, such as report writing, essay writing, oral presentation, problem solving, use of IT, teamwork and information retrieval. A tutor will be assigned to monitor and coordinate study skills provision across the modules, thereby ensuring that each student has the opportunity to attain and be assessed in each of the study skills learning outcomes. By the end of each teaching block, each student's overall performance across all 7 of the study skills outcomes will have been assessed. For each student the mark attained will then form 40% of the coursework mark for each module. By this means, the study skills element of each module is given a weighting of 16% of the available marks (i.e. 0.4 x 40).

Students will be provided with formative assessment and feedback via:
Continuous informal feedback in class and mid-module tests

Subject Specific
The information will be delivered using lectures, videos and demonstrations. Worksheets will be used to engage students in an active role in the learning process. Problem solving activities will be used to consolidate learning The active learning is continued in the practical sessions where investigative procedures will be discussed , planned and carried out by the students.
Formative learning will be aided by assignments and class tests. Summative learning will be assessed by an end of module test and assessment of coursework and classwork assignments.
The lecture and laboratory classes will be for 48 hours spread over 12 weeks so that there will be 4 hours of class contact per week. Each week the classes will contain an appropriate combination of theory and practical classes for the individual topic being delivered.
The time for independent study will be taken up by preparation and completion of assignment work, library research, preparation for class discussion and report writing

Study Skills
When the Science Foundation Year is viewed as a whole, there are 72 hours of class contact and 96 hours of independent study (guided reading, tutorial tasks etc.) that are dedicated to study skills. All modules will have an equal share of this time. The 72 hours of class contact will be spread evenly throughout the teaching year and will be split between tutorials (48 hours) and IT workshops (24 hours). The tutorial programme will be designed to emphasise and develop independent study, whilst delivering the study skills indicative content outlined above. The dedicated IT workshops are to familiarise the students with the use of the common computer packages, indicated above, within a scientific context. The overall ethos will be one of encouraging active learning and developing a sense of responsibility for learning.

Subject Specific
The second module will commence with a study of the need to integrate living systems and the importance of homeostasis in living organisms.
A study of cell and nuclear division will include a comparison of mitosis and meiosis. Other topics to be covered will be:
An introduction to DNA structure, DNA replication and protein synthesis.
The basics of recombinant DNA technology and a consideration of its implications to society.
Mendelian genetics ( to include mono and dihybrid crosses, sex linkage and use of genetic terminology).
An introduction to natural selection in the light of modern biology.

Study Skills
The study skills indicative content of this module is the same as that of all of the other modules of the Science Foundation Year.

An exploration of the scientific method, the nature of scientific truth, the strengths and weaknesses of scientific endeavour, the portrayal of science in the media and how scientific ideas are communicated. Skills associated with note taking, writing to communicate ideas, oral communication of scientific concepts, library utilisation, information gathering on the WWW, source distillation, revision and examination technique. The use of common computer packages, such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

An ability to:

1. think critically and examine practical problems from the scientific perspective.
2. collect, interpret and report results in a variety of media.
3. work individually and as a team member in the solving of problems.
4. show a basic working ability with a range of PC and IT based software.
5. display a basic understanding of the fundamental basis of scientific endeavour.
6. undertake self-appraisal of learning achievements and understand the need for and value of a reflective approach to intellectual and personal development and thereby have begun to develop a sense of awareness and a degree of responsibility for their own learning.
7. display familiarity and competence in the use of basic 'study skills'.