2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LLLC0154 Nature of Science and Scientific Thinking

20 creditsClass Size: 120

Module manager: Dr Juliana Manso de Oliveira Silva
Email: J.MansoDeOliveiraSilva@leeds.ac.uk

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

Year running 2023/24

Module replaces

LLLC0192 Change credit size

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module aims to develop your understanding of the nature of science to further develop your academic study skills. The module will examine for you some of the interdisciplinary connections which exist between sciences. In the module you will learn how to develop your academic and reflective writing practices whilst evaluating your personal academic capabilities and using laboratory practicals to understand how theory can be observed.

Objectives

The aim of this module is to enable students to develop a theoretical and practical understanding of the nature of science using contemporary science topics, to recognise their own experience of learning and participate in reflective practices to inform future learning, further develop academic study & research skills, and design & execute an independent scientific investigation.

This module will complement, support, and build on the knowledge and skills gained in the other 'Interdisciplinary Science' or ‘Studies in Science’ modules.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

1. Communicate using appropriate language to support academic & reflective writing and presentations
2. Demonstrate competency in a laboratory environment using a range of techniques, apparatus and representation of data.

3. Acquire and apply relevant practical and scientific academic skills including critical thinking, investigative and communication skills, statistical analysis and scientific discovery.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of digital, academic and professional literacies within the scientific disciplines.

Skills outcomes
Students will be able to:
- write using correct and appropriate scientific and mathematical language to communicate information, understanding, arguments and analysis in a variety of forms
- as part of this module students will develop a range of digital literacy skills.
- know where to find relevant and appropriate sources to apply critical thinking to popular press materials and academic literature

Syllabus

The content will cover areas such as academic study skills, scientific data, writing styles in science, lab reports and reflective practices.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
seminars	20	2.00	40.00
Practicals	8	3.00	24.00
Independent online learning hours			36.00
Private study hours			100.00
Total Contact hours			64.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

General feedback on assignment performance will be posted on Minerva, while individual feedback will also be provided upon marking of assignments. Students will also participate in self and peer review across the foundation year. Lab simulations will also be used to support lab practicals.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Presentation	10 minutes	30.00
Portfolio	4000 words	70.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

If a student fails the module coursework, the resit opportunity will be an equivalent assessment in July. Students who miss any of these learning opportunities can apply for mitigating circumstances and potentially could be given consideration at the exam board.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 04/04/2023

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