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 Advanced Skills in Biological and Medical Sciences
Code LIFE365
Coordinator Dr JM Quayle
Cellular and Molecular Physiology
Jquayle@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2016-17 Level 6 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 5
This refers to timetabled lectures
3
This refers to research seminars in a number of institutes including IIB and ITM
      14
This refers to problem solving and data analysis workshops
8
This refers to scheduled feedback sessions and a mini-conference
30
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 120
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Open Book Written Exam  2 hrs  Semester 1  20  Yes    In-class paper critique 
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Practical Assessment  2 hrs  Semester 1  20  Yes    Data-handling exercise 
Coursework  equivalent to approx  Semester 1  25  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Website 
Coursework  500 words  Semester 2  20  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Poster 
Coursework  equivalent to approx  Semester 2  15  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Careers Notes (applying to all assessments) Assessment 1 will be a written in class exercise. Assessment 2 will be a bioinformatics data handling exercise (in class). Assessment 3 will be a patient information webpage for a disease, with assessment on the basis of the website. Assessment 4 will be a poster and participation at the mini-conference. Assessment 5 will be a careers exercise that includes the preparation of a targeted job/PhD (or similar) application and is partly peer-reviewed. Assessments 3, 4 and 5 cannot be anonymously marked as they consist of posters, presentations and other work that is inevitably linked to individual students. 

Aims
  1. To enable students to evaluate the scientific literature and to apply these skills to presentations in various formats in groups and individually

  2. To enhance the problem-solving skills of students, by data analysis exercises in relation to experimental methods in biological and medical sciences

  3. To provide advice and guidance for career development and employability

Learning Outcomes

To analyse, summarise, present and critically review evidence from scientific publications

To access and query bioinformatics databases and to analyse, integrate and interpret biomedical experimental data 
To work in groups to produce and present a scientific poster 
To use the web and social media to access and communicate scientific information to both expert and lay audiences

To produce well presented and appropriately targeted job applications   

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lecture - This refers to timetabled lectures

Seminar - This refers to research seminars in a number of institutes including IIB and ITM

Workshop - This refers to problem solving and data analysis workshops

Other - This refers to scheduled feedback sessions and a mini-conference

Syllabus
1 

Topic 1: Scientific research and analyses 

- data analysis

- bioinformatics

- digital literacy

- paper critiquing

- literature interrogation


Topic 2: Communication 

- oral presentation

- website development

- poster presentation

- video podcast preparation

- lay abstract preparation


Topic 3: Careers and employability 

- careers and online career resources

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: