NES3309 : Current Research in Molecular Life Sciences
NES3309 : Current Research in Molecular Life Sciences
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Professor Paul Race
- Co-Module Leader: Dr Maxim Kapralov
- Lecturer: Dr Patricia Lopez-Calcagno
- Other Staff: Dr Shannon Flynn, Professor William Willats, Dr Martin Edwards, Professor Sam Wilson, Dr Gary Caldwell, Dr Thomas Howard, Dr Matt Bawn, Professor Ian Head, Dr Vasilios Andriotis, Dr Jon Telling, Dr Catriona Anderson, Dr James Stach, Dr Tahar Taybi
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
- Capacity limit: 65 student places
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
N/A
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
N/A
Aims
1. To expose students directly to the research process relating to molecular biology & biotechnology: from conception of studies and hypothesis generation; data gathering methodologies and analysis; to preparation of scientific manuscripts and publication. This will be achieved by taking part in seminars given by active researchers describing their own published work and discussion of the route to successful publication.
2. To develop students' critical thinking and analysis of research work in progress and in print.
3. Develop students' ability to clearly present molecular biology and biotechnology science in written, graphical and visual form.
Outline Of Syllabus
The purpose of this module is to provide an understanding of current research related to Biology degree programmes that takes place in the Molecular Biology and
Biotechnology (MBB) Research Group.
The course will comprise a series of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials.
The course will include interactive talks from members of the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
(MBB) Research Group covering recently published, or soon to be published, studies.
The interactive talks will cover the conception of scientific studies; generation of testable
hypotheses; research techniques and methods; the structure of scientific manuscripts; and power point presentations of scientific papers.
Workshops and tutorials will cover processes involved in developing effective presentations relating to published studies.
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
At the end of the module students will be able to:
1. Explain how fundamental research in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology is performed and
describe the process that brings these findings to publication as peer reviewed articles
2. Explain how recent methodological advances in biological and chemical sciences impact our
understanding of physiological processes in plants and microbes.
3. Recognize appropriate presentation techniques; and demonstrate effective
communication, including the importance of communicating the findings of their scientific work clearly to their reader/audience.
Intended Skill Outcomes
By the end of this module students should be able to:
1. Critically appraise data relating to molecular biology and biotechnology research.
2. Present a critical synopsis of a published paper in the form of a power point presentation..
3. Present a graphical abstract for a published paper.
4. Evaluate the significance of, and key elements within, publications in molecular biology .
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 50 | 1:30 | 75:00 | Presentation - Development of analytical and interpretative skills |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Skills practice - Development of graphical skills |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Introductory lecture - This will cover course structure, workshops and assignments. It will also cover preparation of publications |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 2 | 2:30 | 5:00 | Online via Canvas - introduction to the module, familiarise yourself with the topics and reading materials |
| Structured Guided Learning | Academic skills activities | 10 | 3:00 | 30:00 | PowerPoint presentations for assessment. Development of communication skills |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 5 | 2:00 | 10:00 | Development of communication skills |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 3 | 2:00 | 6:00 | Seminars - These will be provided by ‘core’ lecturers on the module |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 6 | 1:30 | 9:00 | Seminar/journal club presenting PMB research |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | 2x Online, 1x in person - drop in sessions for Q&A on assessment preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 25 | 2:00 | 50:00 | Independent reading |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
An introductory seminar will introduce the course by providing a broad overview of a published research paper, with insight into the methods and data presented in the paper.
Lectures will be interactive, encouraging students to question concepts and ideas and to develop critical analytical skills when interrogating the wider literature. The development of this expertise will underpin the capacity of the students to undertake private study.
Present in Person workshops will allow students to develop skills in analysis, interpretation and presentation through guided studies relating to specific publications.
Students will be directed to supporting information to consolidate their learning by guided independent study. Students will be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study at this stage in their programme, developing key skills such as Active Learning, Goal Setting and Action Planning, Decision Making, and Initiative.
Assessment, preparation and completion will allow students to fully prepare for their formative and summative coursework. They will have the opportunity to consolidate and build upon knowledge gained in the taught session. Furthermore, this module enhances skills the students will be developing for their dissertation module.
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 1 | M | 70 | The students will work in groups to critically analyse a recent scientific paper; they will then develop and present a scientific power point presentation on an individual basis. |
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 30 | Prepare a graphical abstract for one of the presented scientific papers |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 1 | M | Formative feedback given during the development of the presentations within the workshops |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The power point presentation of a research paper describing a recent advance in the molecular biology and biotechnology area tests the students’ analytical skills, their capacity to interpret experimental data and their ability to explain complex scientific principles, approaches and findings in terms accessible to a broad-spanning audience.
The graphical abstract tests students' capacity to extract key ideas from papers and to adapt key textual and visual elements into an easily interpreted graphic.
Workshops by the core lecturers will provide good opportunities for formative assessment and feedback. Students have the opportunity to receive formative feedback on their presentations as they develop them during timetabled workshops.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES3309's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- NES3309's past Exam Papers
General Notes
For the power point presentations, students will work in groups to study and interpret a selected recently published research paper relevant to MLS. This will help develop group and networking skills. However, production and presentation will be on an individual basis. Members of MBB will help with initial discussions relating to these presentations.
This Module will be capped at 65 students.
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Disclaimer
The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2025 academic year.
In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.
Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, staffing changes, and student feedback. Module information for the 2026/27 entry will be published here in early-April 2026. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.