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2020/21 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

BLGY2303 Research and Study Skills Level 2

10 creditsClass Size: 180

Module manager: Dr Tom Bennett
Email: t.a.bennett@leeds.ac.uk

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

Year running 2020/21

Pre-requisites

BLGY1303Tutorials for Biology and Genetics
BLGY1306Research and Study Skills Level 1

Module replaces

BLGY2100 Enhanced Study Skills for Biologists;BLGY2301 Research and Study Skills Level 2

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module further develops the core research and scientific skills that were developed in BLGY 1306, and helps to prepare students for their 3rd year research projects and beyond.

Objectives

The aims of the module are to continue to develop academic skills building on knowledge and experience from BLGY1306. The specific objectives of the are to:
- Gain enhanced understanding of scientific literature;
- Improve scientific writing and presentation skills;
- Deepen understanding of the scientific process, and develop critical thinking skills;
- Develop skills in formulating and communicating a scientific proposal;
- Understand how to give an effective poster presentations;
- Develop skills in CV writing, job applications and undergoing job interviews.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students will have further developed their scientific and research skills, including a range of transferable skills that they will apply to their future careers. Students will be able to:
1. Enable understanding by academic, specialist and non‐specialist audiences by communicating ideas in a variety of specified written, verbal or visual formats;
2. Produce a scientific proposal built around a testable hypothesis that is supported by relevant evidence;
3. Use specified numerical approaches and techniques to process, explain and evaluate scientific data;
4. Reflect on and evaluate their strengths, limitations and performance and identify the impact of them in relation to their employability, as evidenced through CV writing and job interview.


Syllabus

The module provides:
- Experience of CV writing and job applications;
- Development of skills in reading and comprehending the scientific literature;
- Enhanced understanding of scientific research and hypothesis testing;
- Further experience in scientific writing;
- Further experience of writing and delivering oral presentations;
- An introduction to experimental design;
- Experience in developing research proposals;
- Experience in the creation and presentation scientific posters;
- Guidance regarding 3rd year research projects;
- Development of core research skills;
- Discussion of structure of Level 3.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Workshop10.500.50
Presentation21.503.00
Lecture61.006.00
Tutorial61.006.00
Private study hours84.50
Total Contact hours15.50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)100.00

Private study

The tutorial sessions prompt students to steer their outside reading and independent learning through a variety of assessments. This includes (i) contemporary topics in biological sciences in preparation for discussions and essays, (ii) exploring the scientific literature through suggestions for web search engines, (iii) research and writing of a written piece of coursework, and (iv) use of PowerPoint to produce an oral presentation.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Tutors will provide formative feedback on written assignments, but with discretion regarding when and how this is done. So, for instance, formative feedback could now be given on the ‘in progress’ version of an assessed essay, rather than via a separate essay.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
ProjectResearch proposal 2000 words50.00
Literature Review2000 words25.00
Presentation10 minute verbal presentation25.00
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: 21/01/2021 12:12:53

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