CMB2005 : Practical Skills in Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences 3

  • Module Leader(s): Dr Nick Morris
  • Owning School: Biomedical Sciences
Semesters
Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 5.0

Aims

To provide:

•       A theoretical background to the use of data retrieval (informatics) systems
•       The skills necessary to collect and summarise data in order to avoid biases or misrepresentation
•       The skills necessary to choose an appropriate statistical technique for the analysis of a particular sort of data
•       An understanding of how to analyse data using the statistical computing package MINITAB.
•       A knowledge and understanding of good working practices in the laboratory, including an awareness of issues relating to safety
•       A knowledge and understanding of some modern bioscientific techniques including PCR, SDS-PAGE, Western blotting and ELISA

Original Summary:
The Biomedical Sciences are underpinned by a knowledge base and a range of technologies in cell and molecular biology. This 10 credit module will provide students with hands-on experience of a range of laboratory techniques, enabling them to develop skills of working safely and accurately in the laboratory. The module will also provide a basic knowledge and understanding of the appropriate statistical ideas and methods to use in the collection, presentation and analysis of bioscientific data, and of the use of statistical software. Students will also learn about the science of bioinformatics, and how computers can be used to analyse genomes, genes and gene products.

Outline Of Syllabus

As module summary

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Academic Staff Contact Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture181:0018:0018:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical123:1038:0086:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study441:0044:000:00Private study
Total100:00104:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures are used to impart information in a concise manner, to highlight areas of importance and to interrelate with directed reading and self-directed study. Practicals are used to gain experience of techniques, data analysis and numeracy. Private study is used for self-directed learning. These teaching methods should enable the achievement of the learning outcomes by the student. Private study consists of: Reading lecture notes and texts; practical answer sheets; completing online assessments and data-analysis, including directed reading on statistical methods, and modern laboratory techniques; and going through learning resources on the Web.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Practical/lab report1M60In-course written worksheets or online assessment, short answer questions
Computer assessment1M20Bioinformatics assessment: in-course online exercise , short answer questions
Prob solv exercises1M20Statistics in-course written worksheets and online assessment, short answer questions
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

For laboratory practical strand: In-course written worksheets or online assessment will test the students knowledge and understanding of practical techniques, ability to record and analyse biological data, ability to carry out scientific calculations and ability to use computer aided learning packages.

Fro the Bioinformatics and statistics strands: In-course written worksheets and online assessment will test the students knowledge and understanding of the bioinformatics and statistics covered in lectures and practicals.

Reading Lists

Timetable

Disclaimer: The University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver modules in accordance with the descriptions set out in this catalogue. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, however, the University reserves the right to introduce changes to the information given including the addition, withdrawal or restructuring of modules if it considers such action to be necessary.