The basic framework of the module will be provided by a combination of lectures/workshops/practical and self-study activities. The 210 hrs of independent learning will involve 80 hours directed activity from workshops, 100 hours directed activity from practicals, 18 hours team based guided activity, and 12 hours of tutorial based self-study.

The 90 hrs of contact time will involve 24 hours of lecture/workshops and 66 hours of laboratory practicals.

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)

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.

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. A computer based self-study component will introduce the basic concepts associated with data, data manipulation, data analysis and descriptive statistics.

Computers with WWW access.
Appropriately equipped laboratory.
Statistics for the Terrified software.

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