| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
|---|---|
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
This module introduces students to practical skills essential to students studying biomedical sciences with management. It also helps students to develop a number of important generic skills, including numeracy skills, information literacy and writing skills and data handling skills.
The module is divided into three strands: Microbiology and immunology practical skills, Physiology practical skills and Generic skills. Each of the practical skills strands links closely with the complementary modules, Microbiology and immunology (CMB1003) and Physiology(PSC1002) which are co-requisites for this module.
In the Microbiology and immunology practical skills strand students learn how to culture bacteria and test for antibiotic resistance, how to stain and observe bacteria and immune cells under the light microscope, how to measure antibody activity and how to grow and count viruses.
In the Physiology practical skills strand students use a computer-aided learning packages to study the process of blood coagulation and heart function. They also gain hands-on experience using an electrocardiogram to measure heart activity as well as practical techniques for measuring lung function.
Both practical skills strands will highlight the importance of laboratory health and saftey.
The generic skills strand provides an opportunity for students to develop their ability to locate scientific papers and write a scientific essay and their ability to deliver an oral presentation on a scientific topic.
The Microbiology and Immunology practical skills strand consists of laboratory-based practicals on the following topics: introudctory bacteriology; elements of the immune system; bacteriophage assays.
The Physiology practical skills strand consists of laboratory-based practicals on the following topics: blood coagulation; effects of exercise and posture on the cardiovascular system; the isolated mammalian heart preparation; methods in respiratory physiology.
The Generic skills strand consists of: lectures on information retrieval; timed essay assignment; oral presentation assignment.
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Academic Staff Contact Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | 3:00 | Class Tests |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | 3:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 6 | 3:00 | 18:00 | 54:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | 12:00 | Seminar |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 75:00 | 75:00 | 0:00 | N/A |
| Total | 100:00 | 72:00 |
1. Lectures will provide an introduction to the module and provide information about using the internet to search for scientific literature, including use of PubMed database
2. Seminars will provide students with the opportunity to deliver an oral presentation on a scientific topic.
3. Practicals will provide experience of laboratory work; information presented in practicals will include knowledge and understanding of the underlying principles of essential practical techniques and laboratory health and safety. Students will gain hands-on experience of a range of practical techniques and safe laboratory practice. Practical classes will allow students to develop skills in recording and analysing biological data, carrying out scientific calculations and using computers. Practicals also provide an opportunity for students to ask questions and exchange ideas with peers, demonstrators and academic staff in a relatively informal setting. Skills practiced include critical thinking, data synthesis, numeracy & use of computer application.
4. Class test provides an opportunity for students to write a scientific essay under exam conditions
5. Private study is used for self-directed learning and includes: reading lecture notes and texts; preparation for seminars and practicals; using learning resources on the Web. Skills practiced include critical thinking, active learning, goal setting and planning, information literacy and independence.
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/lab report | 2 | M | 70 | In-course written worksheets assessing Microbiology and Immunology and Physiology strands, short answer questions |
| Essay | 2 | M | 20 | Timed essay under exam conditions (30 minutes) |
| Prof skill assessmnt | 2 | M | 5 | Group oral presentation (10-15 minutes) |
| Computer assessment | 2 | M | 5 | Setting own MCQ's - Peer Learning MCQ |
1. Practical reports will test the students' knowledge and understanding of practical techniques, ability to record and analyse biological data, ability to carry out scientific calculations and ability to use computer aided learning packages.
2. The timed essay will assess the students' writing skills, information literacy skills and ability to write a well structured essay on a scientific topic under exam conditions.
3. The oral presentation will assess the students' oral presentation skills, information literacy skills and ability to work as part of a team
4. By asking the students to set novel MCQ questions in a subject area, the peer learning exercise assesses the students deeper understanding of that subject.
Disclaimer: The University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver modules in accordance with the descriptions set out in this catalogue. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, however, the University reserves the right to introduce changes to the information given including the addition, withdrawal or restructuring of modules if it considers such action to be necessary.