2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LISS1029 Natural Sciences: Global Challenges and Scientific Skills

10 creditsClass Size: 20

Module manager: Martin McPhillie
Email: M.J.McPhillie@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: 1 Jul to 31 Aug View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

Pre-requisite qualifications

GPA of 2.5 (US) or equivalent and enrolled at a university

Module replaces

None

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Do you have an interest in the sciences and want to learn more about how the natural world works? Are you interested in scientific discovery and applying practical skills to solve global issues? Are you keen to see how fundamental principles of mathematics and physical science continue to affect and shape the world we live in?This module gives an introduction to a range of sciences and provides an understanding of the impact of interdisciplinary study in natural sciences on the world around us. You will gain practical scientific skills in world-class facilities and laboratories.The importance of clearly communicating the benefits (and risks) of new technologies will be highlighted. You will develop your science journalism and scientific writing skills and will use a variety of assessment tools to reflect on your learning and experience. Students enrolled on the module will need to create a FutureLearn account in order to access this material.

Objectives

- To develop students’ interest and ability to explore the world around us from a mathematical and scientific perspective.
- To help students understand and analyse the physical, chemical and mathematical principles behind issues which impact our lives
- To develop students’ independent written communication skills in researching and presenting a scientific product, process or phenomenon to a public, global audience
- To develop students’ verbal and visual communication skills in the group-based development of a YouTube-style video (published to Video Leeds) presenting a scientific product, process or phenomenon to a public, global audience

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- discuss examples of the historical and modern-day context of the contributions physical science has made to several distinct topics which impact on everyday life, and the principles underpinning
these;
- use their mathematical and scientific skills to question and
analyse phenomena around them;
- demonstrate their ability to communicate an example of the role mathematics and physical science has played in addressing a topic of general interest to a public audience in written form;
- communicate the context and scientific basis of a given
problem to an audience of non specialists.

Syllabus

1. Science writing
2. Estimation - the importance of numeracy
3. Atmospheric changes 1 - likelihood of life on other planets
4. Predictability - the mathematics of chaos theory
5. Atmospheric changes 2 - chemistry of our atmosphere
6. Representation - the mathematics of voting systems
7. Global challenges 1 - agrochemicals
8. Global challenges 2- antibiotics
9. Laboratory work

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Visit	1	10.00	10.00
Fieldwork	1	8.00	8.00
Lecture	1	1.00	1.00
Lecture	4	3.00	12.00
Practical	1	3.00	3.00
Seminar	4	1.00	4.00
Tutorial	4	1.00	4.00
Independent online learning hours			12.00
Private study hours			46.00
Total Contact hours			42.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Independent online learning consists of 4 x 3 hour MOOCs
Private study will involve background reading, individual and group preparation for teaching sessions, researching the topics (building directly on the lecture material in the case of the video) and preparing the assessed material.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

The "short article journal" is an ongoing journal log completed by students, and monitored by staff,
throughout the module, giving clear opportunities for feedback.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Report	Scientific article (500 words)	40.00
Group Project	Group video	40.00
Reflective log	Short article journal (500 words)	20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

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

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 26/01/2024 09:22:26

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