ACE3089 : Animal Science Conference - Current Issues and Debates
- Offered for Year: 2022/23
- Module Leader(s): Dr Catherine Douglas
- Other Staff: Dr Andrew Beard
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
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.
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 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.
Lectures by other University staff to assist students in planning the Conference (e.g. Research Impact Office, Careers Service) and preparing their theatre presentations and large-format posters.
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 (8 hrs)
Conference (4 hrs)
Debriefing and reflection workshop (3 hrs)
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 30:00 | 30:00 | Large-format research poster: research the topic, prepare material and design the poster. |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 5 | 0:30 | 2:30 | online lecture style recordings introducing material |
| Guided Independent Study | Project work | 1 | 6:00 | 6:00 | Completion of post-conference tasks, e.g. correspondence to donors, finalisation of budget. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 16 | 1:00 | 16:00 | Synchronous - Student-led weekly planning workshop generally 2 per week; staff present at one |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | PiP - Student-led weekly planning workshop generally 2 per week; staff present at one |
| Guided Independent Study | Project work | 1 | 64:00 | 64:00 | Administrative activities associated with the conference, preparation and follow up to planning meet |
| Guided Independent Study | Student-led group activity | 7 | 1:00 | 7:00 | directed tasks each week . |
| Guided Independent Study | Student-led group activity | 1 | 40:00 | 40:00 | Preparation of group theatre presentation (PowerPoint) & practice of delivery, including notes pages |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 0:30 | 0:30 | Zoom Q&A pathways to impact/poster |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 23:00 | 23:00 | Research on animal science issues to generate ideas for conference theme, topics & keynote speakers. |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching 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' (see below), 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 (other University students and academic staff, outside visitors and guests) 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.
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.
Face-to-face sessions are valued however the module works very well switching present in person to on-line synchronous if required due to Covid restrictions (even the conference itself was huge success online).
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poster | 1 | M | 30 | Large-format research poster for individual students on a topic related to Conference theme. Assessed for content and presentation. |
| Prof skill assessmnt | 1 | M | 70 | Oral presentation during the conference in groups/Conference Score scientific value, timekeeping etc. Peer and Staff assessed. |
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' (see below), 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 (other University students and academic staff, outside visitors and guests) 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.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- ACE3089's Timetable