2021/22 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

MICR1320 Skills for Microbiologists

40 creditsClass Size: 60

Module manager: Dr Christopher Randall
Email: c.p.randall@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2021/22

Co-requisites

MICR1120	Introduction to Microbiology
MICR1220	Introduction to Immunology

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Objectives

To provide training in data collection, experimental techniques relevant to microbial sciences, the analysis of numerical data, solving problems, teamwork and presentation skills.

Learning outcomes
At the end of the module students will be able to:
- use a range of laboratory equipment and practical techniques current to microbial science and biochemistry, design simple controlled experiments and record, analyse and interpret experimental data.
- demonstrate an appreciation of the approaches used to study microbial sciences and biochemistry, and feel confident in the handling of numerical data and simple mathematical transformations thereof.

Students will be given advice on how to produce a curriculum vitae and will be made aware of employability issues.

Skills outcomes
- Managing knowledge; data evaluation and problem solving, sourcing, selecting & interpreting data.
- Technical competence; laboratory techniques, experimental design, and analysing data, accuracy and IT skills.
- Managing self; planning, time management, employability planning.
- Managing relationships; teamwork, decision taking, learning from others; sharing; receiving critique.
- Presentation skills; lab reports, written answers, oral presentations.

Syllabus

Students will undertake a range of experiments using essential microbiological techniques including aseptic technique, microscopy and staining to explore the microbial world and its exploitation by humans. Students will also undertake a range of experiments using essential biochemical, microbiological and molecular techniques including spectrophotometry, electrophoresis, separation techniques, chromatography and PCR.

Through these experiments they will develop their technical competence, learn to analyse and interpret different types of data, and record and present these appropriately. There will also be opportunities to develop skills in experimental design, and to develop an understanding of safe laboratory practice.

Students will also participate in tutorials to develop their ability to
(i) handle, transform and interpret numerical data,
(ii) interpret information and experimental data in order to solve microbiological problems, and
(iii) source material in the library, build libraries of references and present work orally.

Tutorials will also focus on personal development. The course will consist of a mix of small group tutorials library - or computer-based classes and practical classes. Practical and tutorial attendance and the completion of all work are compulsory.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Practical	40	3.00	120.00
Tutorial	20	1.00	20.00
Private study hours			260.00
Total Contact hours			140.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			400.00

Private study

Preparation for practical sessions and tutorials, annotation of laboratory note book, problem solving and report writing. Revision for MRQs

Preparation for lab and private study - 140 hours
Preparation for tutorials and private study - 60 hours
On-line practice and learning - 20 hours
Preparation for and presentation of essays and oral presentation - 40 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Tutorials delivered via Collaborate and monitored.
- An increased number of online tutorials classes to ensure students have sufficient practice/ assessment in design / execution/ analysis of microbiological experiments.
- Practicals converted to online data handling exercises augmented with video demonstration.
- Alkaline Phosphatase report will assess key learning outcomes associated with experimental design/ analysis/ interpretation.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Practical Report	Practical report in Semester 1	17.50
Practical Report	Practical report in Semester 2	17.50
Online Assessment	Online tutorial assessment (engagement)	12.50
Essay	1000 word essay on topic set by personal tutor	30.00
Oral Presentation	10 minute oral presentation	12.50
Practical Report	1 x formative practical report	0.00
Report	Alkaline Phosphatase report	10.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 30/06/2021 16:23:49

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