Module Descriptors
BIOSKILLS
BIOL40307
Key Facts
Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Sciences
Level 4
30 credits
Contact
Leader: Susan Bird
Email: S.J.Bird@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 108
Independent Study Hours: 192
Total Learning Hours: 300
Assessment
- REFLECTIVE ASSIGNMENT weighted at 35%
- POSTER weighted at 20%
- REPORT weighted at 10%
- REPORT -SECOND REPORT weighted at 15%
- REPORT - THIRD REPORT weighted at 20%
Module Details
Module Resources
Computers with WWW access.
Appropriately equipped laboratory.
Statistics for the Terrified software.
Appropriately equipped laboratory.
Statistics for the Terrified software.
Module Learning Strategies
The basic framework of the module will be provided by a combination of lectures/workshops/practical and self-study activities. The 192 hrs of independent learning will involve 80 hours directed activity from workshops, 82 hours directed activity from practicals, 18 hours team based guided activity, and 12 hours of tutorial based self-study.
The 108 hrs of contact time will involve 24 hours of lecture/workshops and 84 hours of laboratory practicals.
The 108 hrs of contact time will involve 24 hours of lecture/workshops and 84 hours of laboratory practicals.
Module Indicative Content
Workshops/plenary sessions and extension activities will deal with core skills associated with HE study within a biological science framework.
Activites and tasks will be developed, where appropriate, using basic biological tenets, principally those associated with evolution, thus ensuring a grasp of the fundamental principles of the discipline.
Workshop and plenaries will cover key study skills, presentation techniques, team working skills and the uses of reflective practice. Practicals will introduce core laboratory skills including microscopy, separation, spectrophotometry and aseptic techniques as well as basic experimental design, accuracy and safe working practices. Some basic practical based competencies will be assessed during learning sessions prior to carrying out related assessments. A computer based self-study component will introduce the basic concepts associated with data, data manipulation, data analysis and descriptive statistics.
Activites and tasks will be developed, where appropriate, using basic biological tenets, principally those associated with evolution, thus ensuring a grasp of the fundamental principles of the discipline.
Workshop and plenaries will cover key study skills, presentation techniques, team working skills and the uses of reflective practice. Practicals will introduce core laboratory skills including microscopy, separation, spectrophotometry and aseptic techniques as well as basic experimental design, accuracy and safe working practices. Some basic practical based competencies will be assessed during learning sessions prior to carrying out related assessments. A computer based self-study component will introduce the basic concepts associated with data, data manipulation, data analysis and descriptive statistics.
Module Additional Assessment Details
Summative
Reflective Portfolio (RF1) weighted at 35% (1, 3, 5, 6)
Poster (PT1) weighted at 20% (2, 3, 4)
Laboratory Report (RP1) weighted at 10% (2, 3, 4)
Laboratory Report (RP2) weighted at 15% (1, 2, 4, 5)
Laboratory Report (RP3) weighted at 20% (1, 2, 5)
The laboratory reports will normally only be eligible for submission after the student has displayed basic levels of competencies during selected practical sessions.
Normally, RF1 needs to be passed.
Formative
Tutors feedback on draft portfolios mid course.
Tutor, self and peer-assessed feedback whilst working through practicals and workshops.
Reflective Portfolio (RF1) weighted at 35% (1, 3, 5, 6)
Poster (PT1) weighted at 20% (2, 3, 4)
Laboratory Report (RP1) weighted at 10% (2, 3, 4)
Laboratory Report (RP2) weighted at 15% (1, 2, 4, 5)
Laboratory Report (RP3) weighted at 20% (1, 2, 5)
The laboratory reports will normally only be eligible for submission after the student has displayed basic levels of competencies during selected practical sessions.
Normally, RF1 needs to be passed.
Formative
Tutors feedback on draft portfolios mid course.
Tutor, self and peer-assessed feedback whilst working through practicals and workshops.
Module Texts
Jones, Reed and Weyers, 2007: Practical Skills in Biology (4th ed.), Pearson Education. ISBN 978-0-13-175509-3
N. A. Campbell and J.B. Reece, 2008, Biology: (8th ed) Pearson Education
ISBN 978-0321623539
N. A. Campbell and J.B. Reece, 2008, Biology: (8th ed) Pearson Education
ISBN 978-0321623539