| Unit name | Becoming a Biological Scientist |
|---|---|
| Unit code | BIOL10012 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Whitney |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None. |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
N/A |
| School/department | School of Biological Sciences |
| Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
A successful transition into Higher Education requires the adoption and development of important academic and personal skills which will enable you to thrive in your chosen degree programme. This unit will equip you to grow as a biological scientist by aiding your understanding of the academic and professional context within which science operates. You will also develop skills related to: becoming an effective university learner; biological data collection and handling, plotting figures and tables; finding and interpreting scientific literature; getting the most out of lectures; assessing risk in science; and writing scientific reports. You will also explore how elements of your biological sciences study align with sustainable development goals for a better future. This unit will provide you with common foundations in areas on which all other units can then build.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This is a mandatory first year unit which runs in Teaching Block 1 and provides you with vital skills training which will underpin your academic degree programme. It will provide multiple formative feedback opportunities which also align with other first-year mandatory units and their assessments. Many of the skills you will develop in this unit, such as data analysis, reporting and presentation skills, are also highly valued by employers. The unit will set out expectations of university level study such as the importance of academic integrity. Attendance at the practical/workshop sessions for this unit is required.
An overview of content
This unit will introduce your so a range of key skills for becoming an effective university learner under the themes of 1) professional biological science for a sustainable future, 2) the effective communication of science, 3) studying biology in the field, 4) introductions to data analysis and 5) career development which are not covered elsewhere in the first-year curriculum. Examples of topics you will cover include finding and using academic sources, how to communicate science effectively in various formats, introductions to data analysis techniques using software such as Excel and R, and the application of these skills in your academic development.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
On completion of the unit, you will appreciate the framework in which science is performed today and gained confidence in your abilities to become a university level learner. You will have had opportunities to handle, summarise and present basic biological data and have an appreciation of relevant methods which are applied in biological analyses. Skills you will have practised during this unit will support you in future assessments through your degree programme.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit, you will be able to:
1. Demonstrate the ability to implement successful independent study techniques.
2. Find, interpret and critically assess sources of scientific information.
3. Identify the various risks that can be associated with scientific work and recognise the importance of conducting a risk assessment.
4. Handle, summarise and present biological data.
5. Communicate science verbally and in writing, with an ability to relay scientific information with clarity.
6. Adopt a reflective approach to academic and professional development.
Throughout the unit your learning will take place through a combination of teaching methods including lectures, interactive sessions (e.g. workshops), reflection based activities a data collection activity as well as self-directed study. There are opportunities for formative feedback during the unit through optional multiple choice question tests and workshop activity tasks to support students as they prepare for the summative assessments.
Formative MCQs and workshops tasks to prepare students for the summative assessments .
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Formative tasks are embedded within workshop activities to allow students opportunities to practice skills in advance of summative assessments in this and other TB1 units. Optional MCQ tasks will be provided to allow students to test their own knowledge.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Weighting Summative Assessment Information Intended Learning Outcomes assessed
60% Research Report and Risk Assessment 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
20% Reflective Portfolio 1, 6
20% Presentation 1, 2, 5
When assessment does not go to plan
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence or have accepted Exceptional Circumstances you will normally be required to complete and alternative assessment (e.g. for assessments missed in TB1 reassessment work will be completed in the following re-assessment period). Study Support Plans which detail information about alternative assessment requirements for individuals' students will be taken into consideration.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. BIOL10012).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
