BSc Biology and History and Philosophy of Science(For students entering from September 2023 onwards)

Year 3

(Award available for year: Bachelor of Science)

Learning outcomes

HPS LOs
1. Apply advanced skills of philosophical and/or historical analysis to the writings of some major scholars in the discipline(s), to effectively develop and articulate your own view informed by relevant knowledge of scholarly literature
2. Identify connections between the two disciplines of History and Philosophy of Science and Biology
Biology LOs
3. Demonstrate coherent and detailed subject knowledge and professional competencies in Biology, some of which will be informed by recent research/scholarship;
4. Accurately deploy standard techniques of analysis and enquiry within biology;
5. Describe and comment on particular aspects of recent research and/or scholarship in biology;
Joint LOs
6. Appreciate the uncertainty, ambiguity and limitations of knowledge in History and Philosophy of Science and in Biology
7. Make appropriate use of primary and secondary sources to deepen your understanding, and improve the quality, of your academic work
8. Demonstrate a conceptual understanding which enables the development and sustaining of a detailed argument;
9. Undertake extended, detailed independent research and apply an advanced understanding of concepts and methodologies in either discipline to develop and defend your own views

Skills Learning Outcomes
1. Express yourself orally and in writing in a clear, concise, focused and structured manner (Academic and Work Ready skill)
2. Manage your time, prioritise tasks, organise academic and personal commitments effectively to meet deadlines (Academic and Work Ready Skill)
3. Use reasoning and judgement to make decisions and solve problems (Academic, Work Ready and Enterprise skill)
4. Generate ideas, demonstrate originality and/or imaginative thinking (Academic and Work Ready Skill)
5. Work independently, and on own initiative (Academic and Work Ready skill)
6. Learn proactively and adopt effective learning strategies (Academic and Work Ready skill)
7. Be aware of your own strengths and development needs and seek/accept feedback (Academic and Work Ready skill)
8. Set and achieve goals (Work Ready skill)
9. Search for, evaluate and use relevant information and data from a range of sources to strengthen the quality of academic work and independent research (Academic, Work Ready and Enterprise skill)
10. Analyse data and write scientific reports (Academic and Work Ready Skill)
11. Identify when, why and how to appropriately acknowledge someone else’s work and ideas (Academic and Work Ready skill)
12. Collaborate with others and build positive relationships to enable successful projects (Work Ready and Enterprise skill)

Assessment

Achievement will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the modules specified for the year and enable students to demonstrate they have achieved the programme level learning outcomes through their optional and core modules. Assessments include essays, exams, text analysis, presentations, posters, literature reviews, reports, multiple-choice tests, practical work, data handling or analysis, problem-solving exercises, group work, discussion groups, and computer-based simulations.
Students will be provided with a range of unassessed formative exercises and assessment support sessions, allowing them to make progress with the LOs and skills outside an assessment context. Opportunities for explicit discussion and support will be made available by module leaders in office hours and in routine meetings with academic personal tutors.