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 ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR THE LIFE SCIENCES I
Code LIFE109
Coordinator Dr JE Lycett
Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour
J.E.Lycett@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2016-17 Level 4 FHEQ Whole Session 15

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 20
Timetabled one-hour lectures to introduce concepts
  25
Group tutorials
    30
Workshop sessions in Assessment 2 (i.e. Quantitative Skills)
75
Timetable (if known) This refers to timetabled lectures for both assessments (i.e. Communication and study skills + Quantitative skills)
  		  Twelve x 1-hour tutorials refers to small group tutorials for Assessment 1 (Communication and study skills 4-6 students per academic staff); the remaining 13-hours of tutorials refer to Assessment 2 (
  		    This refers to workshops in assessment 2 (Quantitative skills). Students will work individually on problem-solving exercises, in which they will receive help and guidance from staff or postgraduate d
  		 
Private Study 75
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  3x study cycles in e  Semester 1 and 2  50  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Communication and study skills portfolio 
Coursework  Equivalent to approx  Semester 1 and 2  50  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Quantitative skills Notes (applying to all assessments) Students must pass both assessments (1 and 2) to successfully complete the module. Students will be allowed one in-course resubmission opportunity in Assessment 1 (Communication and study skills) for each assessment that they fail. Assessment 1: Communication and study skills assignments consisting of 6 study cycles, in-course assessments including written and oral assignments. Average length of written assignments is ~750 words each. This assessment cannot be anonymously marked as it is tutor-marked. Assessment 2: Quantitative Skills assignments consisting of a number of online tests and a final in-class test, as well as a PeerWise activity that students complete independently across both semesters. PeerWise activity requires students to write informative MCQs based on their learning. They are also required to comment on the questions created by other students in an interactive online forum. 

Aims

This module aims to:

  1. Develop in students the essential skills that they will require to be competent life scientists;
  2. Enhance the employability prospects of students.

Learning Outcomes

Use a range of mathematical and numerical tools to address biological problems
Structure and communicate ideas effectively, both orally and in writing

Manage time, work to deadlines and prioritise workloads 

Actively participate in groups but be capable of independent work

Find relevant information and use IT effectively

Address the relevance and ideas of others 

Evaluate own performance and working standards 

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lecture - Timetabled one-hour lectures to introduce concepts

This refers to timetabled lectures for both assessments (i.e. Communication and study skills + Quantitative skills)

Tutorial - Group tutorials

Twelve x 1-hour tutorials refers to small group tutorials for Assessment 1 (Communication and study skills 4-6 students per academic staff); the remaining 13-hours of tutorials refer to Assessment 2 (Quantitative skills) and are optional "catch-up" revision sessions.

Workshop - Workshop sessions in Assessment 2 (i.e. Quantitative Skills)

This refers to workshops in assessment 2 (Quantitative skills). Students will work individually on problem-solving exercises, in which they will receive help and guidance from staff or postgraduate demonstrators.

Syllabus
1 

Cycle 1      Measurement, tables and charts: IT, literature searches and Web of Knowledge. 

Cycle 2.     Powers, scientific notation, concentrations and molarity: scientific writing, journal club 1.

Cycle 3.     Statistics, t-test, chi-square: essay writing, journal club 2

Cycle 4.     Probabilities and genetic distributions: collecting and analysing data, journal club 3.

Cycle 5.     Linear functions, power and exponential functions: report writing, journal club 4.

Cycle 6.     Integration of numerical concepts, problem solving- and feedback-workshops: employability and presentational skills


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: