2013/14 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

BIOL1302 Introductory Skills for Biological Sciences

40 creditsClass Size: 90

Module manager: Dr Susan Whittle
Email: s.r.whittle@leeds.ac.uk

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

Year running 2013/14

Pre-requisite qualifications

Normal U/G entry requirements

Co-requisites

BIOL1112	The Molecules of Life
BIOL1212	Tissues, Organs and Processes of the Human Body
BLGY1112	Cell Biology

This module is mutually exclusive with

BIOC1301	Introductory Integrated Biochemistry: the Molecules and Proc
BIOC1302	Introductory Biochemistry: Practical Skills
BIOC1303	Introductory Biochemistry: Problem Solving and Data Handling

Module replaces

BIOL1301 Skills in the Biosciences, and practicals from BIOL1111 Macromolecules &Metabolism and BIOL1201 Biochemistry of Cells & Organisms

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

To provide training in data collection, experimental techniques relevant to the multi-disciplinary arena of the biological sciences, the analysis of numerical data, problem solving, 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 biochemistry and molecular & cellular biology, and design simple controlled experiments and record, analyse and interpret experimental data.

They will also be able to demonstrate an appreciation of the approaches used to study biochemical and molecular processes, and feel confident in the handling of numerical data and simple mathematical transformations thereof.

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.
- 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 biochemical and molecular techniques including spectrophotometry, electrophoresis, chromatography & aseptic technique.

Through these experiments they will further 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 experimental results in order to solve biochemical problems, and
(iii) source material in the library, build libraries of references and present work orally.

The course will consist of a mix of small group tutorials library- or computer based classes. Most of the small group tutorials will be based on topics covered in BIOL 1112 or BIOL1212. Practical and tutorial attendance and the completion of all work are compulsory.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Practical	20	3.00	60.00
Tutorial	20	1.00	20.00
Private study hours			320.00
Total Contact hours			80.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			400.00

Private study

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

- Preparation for lab and private study: 140 hours
- Preparation for tutorials and private study: 80 hours
- On-line practice and learning: 30 hours
- Preparation for exams: 50 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Student progress is monitored through regular checking of laboratory books, and supervision by demonstrators during weekly laboratory sessions.
- Completion of on-line preparation materials is also monitored.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	8 tutorial assignments; data handling, knowledge-based problems, exam-type answers, easy preparation and writing, oral presentation (2 formative, 6 summative)	30.00
In-course MCQ	3 in-course MCQ tests covering practicals and tutorial work (one formative, 2 summative)	30.00
Practical Report	5 practical reports (one formative, 4 summative),	30.00
Practical	Maintaining laboratory notebook/preparing for practicals	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: 03/02/2014

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