Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

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.

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 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.

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.

Seminar sessions by the core lecturers will provide good opportunities for formative assessment and feedback.

General Notes

For the power point presentations, students will work in groups to study and interpret a selected research paper from a list provided, with each group covering a different paper. 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 60 students.