MSc Bioscience

Year 1

(Award available for year: Master of Science)

Learning outcomes

On completion of the programme students should have shown evidence of being able to:

- demonstrate in-depth, specialist knowledge and mastery of techniques relevant to research in the biosciences and to demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of concepts, information and techniques at the forefront of the biosciences;
- exhibit mastery in the exercise of generic and subject-specific intellectual abilities;
- demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship;
- take a proactive and self-reflective role in working and to develop professional relationships with others;
- proactively formulate ideas and hypotheses and to develop, implement and execute plans by which to evaluate these;
- critically and creatively evaluate current issues, research and advanced scholarship in the biosciences;
- plan and carry out a research project(s) in the area and report the results orally and in written scientific English, demonstrating the potential for publication in the peer reviewed literature.

Transferable (key) skills

Students will have had the opportunity to acquire the following abilities as defined in the modules specified for the programme:

- self direction and effective decision making in complex and unpredictable situations;
- independent learning and research and the ability to work in a way which ensures continuing professional development;
- the skills necessary to:
> undertake a higher research degree and/or for employment in a higher or research capacity in industry or the public sector or area of professional practice;
> evaluate their own achievement and that of others;
> engage critically in the development of professional/disciplinary boundaries and norms.

Assessment

Achievement will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the modules specified for the programme and will involve the achievement of the students in:

- evidencing an ability to conduct independent in-depth enquiry and research within the biosciences;
- demonstrating the ability to apply breadth and/or depth of knowledge to a complex specialist research area;
- drawing on a range of perspectives on an area of research;
- evaluating and criticising received opinion;
- making reasoned judgements whilst understanding the limitations on judgements made in the absence of complete data.