Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The module has five aims as follows:
1. To develop a detailed understanding of current animal science issues, such as aspects of animal health (eg.
epidemiology, disease control etc.) and welfare (e.g. the use of animals in research, mutilations carried out
on animals for 'practical' reasons etc.) which are of relevance to the discipline of animal science or global
issues.
2. To develop an understanding of the impact of research outside academia and the researcher's responsibility
for steering and developing economic and societal impact
3. To develop skills in organisation and planning by organising and participating in a scientific conference
targeted at fellow students, staff and members of the general public.
4. To develop skills in teamwork and presentation and problem solving by preparing and delivering a theatre
presentation and a large-format research poster during the conference.
5. To practice self-assessment and peer review, further develop self-confidence, autonomy and other graduate
skills.

Outline Of Syllabus

Introductory lecture - setting the aims for the module, timetable and providing information on assessment etc.

Series of weekly tutorials led by students but facilitated by academic staff to:
- select the topic and keynote speakers
- decide the topics for the student theatre presentations and the large-format posters
- organise logistics, including catering, audio-visual requirements, publicity poster etc.
- monitor and track preparations as the date of the Conference approaches

Researsals of student presentations (12 hrs)

Conference (4 hrs)

Debriefing and reflection workshop (1 hr)

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will have acquired detailed knowledge of current issues in animal science. The specific issues covered will depend on the particular topic selected for the theme of the Conference each year but might include aspects of animal health, such as epidemiology, disease prevention and control, and animal welfare such as mutilations of animals and uses of animals in research, sustainability issues related to the sector. In addition, students will be exposed to a wider range of animal science topics through presentations by guest speakers and the other student groups.

Intended Skill Outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will have developed their ability in a number of important professional skills. Although the specific level of proficiency in any particular skill may vary from one student to another, depending on their particular role in the Conference organising committee (e.g. Chairperson, or Publicity Officer responsible for preparation of the Book of Abstracts etc), it is expected that the following skills will be developed in all students:

- Team working (collaboration, relationship building and negotiating) as students work together to achieve the collective goal of hosting a high quality academic conference on a current issue in animal science.

- Planning & Organisation (setting clear goals, decision making, innovation and initiative) as the topics on animal science are considered, key speakers invited and the logistics (catering, venue etc) are arranged.

- Self Management (self-awareness and reflection) in recognising in which role an individual student can most effectively function in the team, and what skills he/she would develop over the course of the module.

- Personal Enterprise (initiative, problem solving, independence), since team working effectively relies on its individual members, it is critical that the development of Personal Enterprise is promoted and encouraged. Students also have to prepare an individual large-format poster on a topic of animal science which relates to the overall theme of the Conference, so there is a further opportunity to demonstrate independence.

- Communication (oral, interpersonal and written), arguably the key skill in this module, since hosting the Conference relies on the effective communication of the team through the planning stages, rehearsals of their group theatre presentations and event management during the Conference.
The module is unusual in that it requires liaison with a range of personnel both inside the University (e.g. to arrange catering) and outside the University (possible keynote speakers, staff at schools and colleges in the region who will be invited to bring their students to make up the Conference audience) which requires communication with a different set of people.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Teaching methods are a blended approach incorporating some pre-recorded instructional/lecture-type material supported with question and answer / drop-in sessions. Workshops are a combination of present in person and synchronous online sessions to enhance skills developed aligned with increased use of online meetings in the workplace.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assessment strategy is designed to cover the knowledge and skills outcome of the module. Student's knowledge of animal science issues will be assessed through their (group) oral presentation in the Conference and the accompanying slides/notes. The quality of the group presentation will also affect the 'Conference Score', since the better the group presentations then the higher will be the score awarded by the audience.

Knowledge and presentation are also assessed in the large-format research poster, displayed during the 'poster viewing' session [which may mirror other industry virtual conferences] and showcasing a series of topics which fit within the overall theme of research impact. Academic staff will assess these posters for content and quality of presentation.

Skills in organisation, planning and communication are assessed through the Conference score, which is made up of assessment from both the audience for the quality of the presentations and the organisation of the Conference, together with peer and academic staff assessment of the relative contribution made by individual students to the event preparation during the weeks leading up to the Conference. Academic staff play an important part in ensuring that marks awarded are consistent with Faculty marking criteria.

General Notes

N/A