Students Union's Enterprise Society/ NACUE (National Consortium of University Entrepreneurs) and SAP (Students Union Students as Academic Partners) Employability Skills Project
External speakers and organisations
Equipped laboratory and Lecture room
Access to the 'Stats for the Terrified' software on Faculty PCs
Access to the Internet
Access to Blackboard/VLE
Library

Cottrell, S. (2008) The Study Skills Handbook. 3rd ed Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
Jones, Reed and Weyers. (2007). Practical Skills in Biology (4th ed.). Pearson Education.
Kirton. (2011). Brilliant Workplace Skills for Students & Graduates. Prentice-Hall
Reece, Urry, Cain, Wasserman, Minorsky and Jackson (2008). Campbell Biology (9th ed). Pearson Education
Trought. (2011). Brilliant Employability Skills: How to stand out from the crowd in the graduate job market. Prentice Hall

The emphasis is upon `learning by doing', where learning takes place through personal experience, social interaction and reflection. The learning programme is reflecting the view that learning can take place outside as well as inside the classroom. It will facilitate interaction with the world of business as the module progresses. In addition, students will also have the opportunity to `try out' these skills within their own subject specialisms.

Staff led group tutorials: 8 hours
Staff led workshops: 78 hours
Staff key lectures or directed workshops: 34 hours

Independent Study Hours
Preparation for workshops and team activities: 80 hours
Participation in mini-project: 20 hours
Assessment preparation and execution: 100 hours

Portfolio of Competencies Demonstration of competency of basic practical and numerical skills assessed as competencies to a pass standard - weighted at 0%. (Learning outcomes 5 & 6)

1. Class-test Multiple choice question test (30 minutes) on subject - weighted at 10%. This occurs early in the module and will act as a starting focus for reflecting upon the standards expected of a Staffordshire Graduate. (Learning outcomes 5)

2. Group presentation of a poster displaying the outcome of a team executed mini-research project - weighted at 20%. (Learning outcomes 2 & 3)

3. Delivery of an oral presentation of 5 minutes duration on a biological sciences subject of the students choice - weighted at 20%. (Learning outcome 2)

4. Reflective PDP portfolio produced in electronic format (for example, PebblePad) on skills development weighted at 50%. (Normally, this element needs to be passed). (Learning outcomes 1, 2 & 5)

It will include:
A Personal development statement/review
Reflection on skills development and review areas for further personal career development
An initial and final SWOT analysis
A feedback diary highlighting "ways forward" from self, peer and staff feedback exercises.

You will be expected to attend a number of events attended as directed by your tutor. These events may vary according to student need and timing of occurrence, but are considered as essential and beneficial learning opportunities. Each Portfolio entry will involve a description of the event, what was learnt from it and how it impacts upon your aspirations/ thoughts on the development of career skills. You should also draw on personal learning from across their programme. Your tutors will determine the minimum number of events to be included in the Portfolio, which will be communicated at the outset of the module.

Specific references should be made in the reflective portfolio to describe international/global aspects relating to either your study programme and/or to events attended and their relevance in the global context.

Additional Assessment Details (including formative feedback / assessment):
This will occur via tutor, self and peer assessed feedback whilst working through practicals and workshops.
In addition tutor feedback on completion of the competency checks and tutorial activities will provide additional formative input.

None

This module incorporates the Level 4 Staffordshire Graduate Employability Programme module designed to introduce the learner to a range of transferable career-enhancing skills that will developed at appropriate points in other modules during the programme of study and cannot be combined with another module within this programme at this level.

This module provides learning opportunities that enable you to acquire the skills and qualities that will enhance your prospects, horizons and personal success, thus preparing the you for the expectations of the world of work, namely: 1. Have the ability to carry out inquiry based learning and critical analysis 2. Be work ready and employable - be technologically, digitally and information literate - and understand the importance of being enterprising and entrepreneurial 3. Be able to apply Staffordshire Graduate attributes to a range of life experiences to facilitate life-long learning.

Enhancing Career and Personal Success is part of the Staffordshire Graduate Employability Programme designed to introduce you to a range of transferable career-enhancing skills that will developed during the programme of study. You will
1.Attend a series of interactive student-centred Skills Workshops, which will include the appreciation and development of CV writing, study skills, employability skills, presentation/communication skills. In particular students will review the skills and qualities they already possess, with reference to how these skills relate to those skills and attributes regarded as critical by employers
2. Attend a series of events (the precise number will need to be agreed with the module leader/personal tutor as appropriate reflecting the subject context). These may include:
- University-wide events and lectures - programme specific and/or industry related to any area of the University curriculum.
- Events external to the University which are either relevant to the core BA/BSc programme and/or of interest to the student (e.g. plays/films/concerts, public lectures, exhibitions)
3. Make a presentation as part of a team
4. Create a personal development statement as part of a reflective portfolio
As part of this professional transition we will also focus on developing relations between tutors and peers thus facilitating the understanding that scientific endeavour involves collaborative construction of knowledge. Embedded within the module are key elements of the Staffordshire Graduate Employability Programme designed to introduce you to a range of transferable career-enhancing skills that will developed at appropriate points in other modules during the programme of study.
Workshops and core lectures will introduce and develop the core skills associated with HE study with an emphasis on developing you as a `Biologist' in the broadest sense. In particular you will review the skills and qualities you already possess, with reference to how these skills relate to those attributes regarded as critical by employers.
Core laboratory and analysis skills will be introduced in practical sessions and workshops. Basic practical and numerical based competencies will be assessed during the learning sessions. Inclusion of lectures on fundamental properties that underpin life such as basic chemical structure, the relevance of water and an understanding of emergent properties will ensure that all students will be prepared to maximise their achievement within other modules studied. At the conclusion of teaching block two sessions will provide support and guidance designed to help in honing you scientific skills. You will deliver an individual presentation and execute and present as part of a small team experimental project.
Tutorials will provide a means of academic and personal support where you can reflect upon your development, feedback and progression within your studies. They will enable you to refine strategies that maximise your potential and will explicitly provide support for the development and preparation of the summative reflective portfolio.