Module Specification
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title GRAND CHALLENGES IN BIOLOGY
Code LIFE105
Coordinator Dr DJS Montagnes
Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour
D.J.S.Montagnes@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2016-17 Level 4 FHEQ First Semester 7.5

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
None  

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:
 

Co-requisite modules:
 

Linked Modules:
 

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 15
Plenary lectures, "Parallel" lectures and instruction lectures.
        3
Students create a poster, as a group, and present it at a poster exhibition.
18
Timetable (if known) Plenary lectures and instruction lectures are to be attended by all students. In addition, students will be directed to attend one out of three "parallel" lectures but will be encouraged to go to all.
  		        Within groups of approximately 4-6, students create a poster on an aspect of one of the grand challenges. The poster is then presented in a 3 hour session in week 11.
  		 
Private Study 57
TOTAL HOURS 75

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Open Book Written Exam  90  Semester one  40  Yes    Exam Notes (applying to all assessments) Assessment 1 will be a Group Poster peer assessed at a poster day, and marks will be distributed according to peer assessed contribution. Assessment 2 will assess the material covered in the various parallel session. Assessment 3 will assess material covered in the plenary sessions. Students will be allowed to bring to the exam one 80 mm lever arch file, containing any material they wish.  
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  1000 words equivalen  Semester one  20  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  Poster There is no reassessment opportunity, This assessment is based on group work throughout the semester and cannot be repeated. 
Coursework  120 minutes  Semester one  40  Yes  N/A  Online tests 

Aims
  1. To encourage students to become aware of the themes that are driving biological research in Liverpool and globally;
  2. To engage students with their programme of study;
  3. To excite student interest in their subject and the way it relates to the challenges that face us all;
  4. To foster the development of study skills that will equip students to investigate research topics and communicate their findings and views on them.

Learning Outcomes

To identify the grand challenges that face biological scientists

To put into context the advances that science makes possible and the ethical issues associated with meeting the Grand Challenges

To evaluate different approaches to the resolution of scientific questions

To conduct an independent piece of research and report their findings to their peers

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lecture - Plenary lectures, "Parallel" lectures and instruction lectures.

Plenary lectures and instruction lectures are to be attended by all students. In addition, students will be directed to attend one out of three "parallel" lectures but will be encouraged to go to all.

Enquiry Based Learning - Students create a poster, as a group, and present it at a poster exhibition.

Within groups of approximately 4-6, students create a poster on an aspect of one of the grand challenges. The poster is then presented in a 3 hour session in week 11.

Syllabus
1 

The concept of this module is to excite students by addressing current themes or “grand challenges”. Therefore, the themes may vary from one year to the next. Examples of the 4 themes that will be addressed this year are given below.

(All students cover the first two topics (delivered in plenary lectures) under each theme, and are then directed towards one of the parallel themes by their programme directors (although all students are encouraged to engage with all three).

 1.    Global Health and Infection

The global burden of infectious disease.

Antibiotic resistance.

Parallel themes:

Bubonic plague

Drug development

Food borne pathogens 

2.    Ageing

Ageing: the search for the elixir of youth.

Ageing in social context.

Parallel themes:

Mechanisms of ageing

Muscoskeletal ageing.

Changes in eye and brain function in old age

3.    Personalised Medicine

The right drug to the right patients at the right time.

From chemical warfare to laser-guided missiles.

Parallel themes:

Biomarkers and biobanking

Technology platforms: sequencing, arrays, bioinformatics

The canine genomes

4.    Food Security

Food security - the global picture.

Engineering photosynthesis in plants

Parallel themes:

Parasites and food security

Developing wheat to feed the world in 2050

Fats and sugar


Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
Explanation of Reading List: