Higher Skills in Biochemistry

Code

LIFE2082

School

Life Sciences

Level

2

Credits

20

Semesters

Full Year UK

Summary

The module will have 4 main strands of activity to equip students with skills for their study now, and transferable skills for future employability. Where possible, reinforcement and/or extension of material from other core modules will be possible. Four principle elements to the module are: i) An essay/dissertation to enhance scientific thinking and writing ii) Public understanding of science iii) Calculations and statistics iv) Research design.

Target Students

Available to all students registered for a Single Honours degree in Biochemistry with or without another subject. Available to JYA/Erasmus students..

Additional Requirements

Only available for students studying LIFE1039 Core Skills in Biochemistry

Co-requisites

Modules you must take in the same academic year, or have taken in a previous year, to enrol in this module:

• Core Skills in Biochemistry

Classes

This module may be delivered through lectures, seminars, workshops and labs etc

Assessment

• 50% Coursework 1: 2500 word essay - Spring
• 30% Presentation 1: Group presentation - Autumn
• 20% Exam 1 (2-hour): ExamSys calculations exam - Jan exam period.

Assessed by end of spring semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

This module works towards HEFCE/QAA benchmarks in the Biosciences:
A. Knowledge and Understanding
A1. use basic statistical techniques to analyse biochemical data 
A2. understand complex ideas and relate them to specific problems or questions 
A3. to identify the relationship between Biochemistry and other disciplines including the importance of Biochemistry in human health and disease and its relevance to medicine and biotechnology 
A4. to consider and discuss ethical issues and the impact of advances in biochemistry on society
B. Intellectual skills 
students will have the ability to: 
i. understand the importance of academic and research integrity (Lectures)
ii. analyse, synthesise and summarise information critically from a variety of sources
iii. consider issues from a number of perspectives and values and arrive at a considered critical judgement stating assumptions and limitations (Coursework 5)
C.  Professional and Practical Skills
Analytical and data interpretation skills
students will have the ability to: 
i. receive and respond to a variety of sources of information: textual, numerical, verbal, graphical (Coursework 1,2 & 5)
ii. determine the validity and rigour of statistical outcomes. (Lectures)
Personal and professional development skills
students will have the ability to: 
iii. develop the skills necessary for independent lifelong learning (for example working independently, time management, organisational, enterprise and knowledge transfer skills) (all module)
iv. develop an adaptable, flexible and effective approach to study and work (all module)
D. Transferable/Key Skills
Interpersonal and teamwork skills
students will have the ability to: 
i. identify individual and collective goals and responsibilities and perform in a manner appropriate to these roles (Coursework 4)
ii. recognise and respect the views and opinions of other team members (Coursework 4)
iii. to evaluate their own performance as an individual and a team member (Tutorials and Coursework 4)
iv. to evaluate the performance of others (Tutorials)

Conveners

• Dr Ian Kerr
• Dr Timothy Simpson