2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
MICR1210 Introductory Skills in Microbiology
20 creditsClass Size: 96
Module manager: Victoria Easton
Email: V.Easton@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
Co-requisites
| MICR1202 | The Microbial World |
| MICR1211 | Introductory Microbiology |
Module replaces
BIOL1302BIOL1303, MICR1320BIOL1305 (a module containing components of the above modules), will be discontinued, not replaced.This module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
The module encompasses the specialist introductory practical and academics skills for all Microbiology, Biological Sciences and Biological Science (Biotechnology and Enterprise) programmes. The module will introduce learners to core laboratory skills in microbiology (i.e. design, execution and analyses of data derived from hypothesis driven experiments). The module will also continue to increase student confidence in arithmetic, data handling/analysis in tutorials, and begin to develop confidence in writing experimental reports and presentation of data.Objectives
This module will introduce learners to Microbiology as a practical discipline. The module will allow learners to develop hands on skills in data collection and experimental techniques relevant to microbiology. Learners will also develop numerical data, problem solving, teamwork and presentation skills.Learning activities will take place as in-person large-group practicals, with asynchronous pre-learning opportunities embedded throughout for students to test and apply their understanding of concepts. This will be supported with online resources created by the module team.
Learners will consolidate and further develop their skills of experimental design, data analysis and interpretation, scientific writing and presentation in the supporting in-person tutorials and workshops.
Learning outcomes
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Recognise interconnected concepts which support modern microbiology
2. Use a range of laboratory equipment and practical techniques current to microbiology
3. Analyse and interpret data in tutorials and generated in practical classes
4. Describe and discuss data and topics relating to microbiology in written presentations
5. Reflect on their own experiments including practical techniques, hypothesis, data analysis, and conclusions
6. Understand and apply safe laboratory practices (Technical Skill)
Syllabus
Learners will undertake a range of experiments using essential techniques for microbiology and the biological sciences including aseptic technique, microscopy and visualisation to explore the microbial world and its exploitation by humans.
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.
Learners will undertake a series of multi-week projects:
Project 1: Good Microbiological Practice
Project 2: Diagnostic Microbiology
Project 3: Modern Applications of Microbiology
Project 4: Exploration of Microbiology
In tutorials, students will learn how data from practical classes can be analysed, interpreted, and communicated to a scientific audience. In year one, this communication will focus on the creation and presentation of a poster
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 1 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Practical | 19 | 3.00 | 57.00 |
| Seminar | 6 | 3.00 | 9.00 |
| Independent online learning hours | 32.00 | ||
| Private study hours | 101.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 67.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
This module assesses in several unique ways in order to properly prepare learners, formative feedback is given on the type of assessment. This module will employ several approaches to ensure learners have continual formative feedback.Experiment Planning assessment
• Scientific essay writing workshop
• Experimental planning workshop
• Feedback on formative work submitted before tutorials focussing on scientific essay writing
• Feedback on formative draft lab report
Poster Presentation
• Oral presentation workshop
• Scientific writing workshop
• Feedback on formative oral presentation in Academic Personal Tutorial
Practical exam
• Access to online resources
• Technique critique in practical lab session
• Practical exposure to safe lab
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Report | Coursework: Lab report | 70.00 |
| Essay | Coursework: Scientific essay | 30.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Practical Exam / OSCE | 6 hr | 0.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 0.00 | |
IMPORTANT: The Practical skills exam is a compulsory pass element. Failure to complete this assessment to pass standard will result in a V code being appended to the final module mark and module credits will not be awarded.
Reading list
There is no reading list for this moduleLast updated: 13/11/2024
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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