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Module

BIO2021 : Employability Skills for Biologists (Inactive)

  • Inactive for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Alison Graham
  • Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
  • Capacity limit: 25 student places
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 5.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

To offer students the opportunity to undertake a subject-specific work-related learning in a professional environment. Students will liaise with potential employers to proactively develop their employability skills and contribute to the ethos of the host organisation. The ability of students to critically reflect on their personal skills development will be enhanced.

Outline Of Syllabus

In Semester 1, students will:
• attend induction sessions outlining module aims and operation
• attend Careers Service Workshops
• attend a tutorial on CV and covering letter preparation
• make applications for positions with preferred placement providers
• attend interviews as requested
• start using e-Portfolio to record and reflect on progress
• secure a placement position

A list of placement opportunities from committed providers in the region will be offered to the students.
They may approach alternative providers both in the region or elsewhere (the latter requiring blocked placement attendance during the Easter Vacation), subject to approval by the Module Leader.

During Semester 2, students will:
• agree all placement activities, work schedule, overall timeline and deliverables with the provider and Module Leader, before completing a Placement Plan
• use e-Portfolio continuously to record progress and reflect on experiences
• complete at least 35 hours of direct work with the provider
• research the background, objectives and operations of the provider
• present a 15-minute Reflection Presentation to peers and staff
• submit a final Reflective Report

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion13:003:00Presentation and attendance at other presentation sessions.
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion15:005:00Placement plan (1,000 words)
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture91:009:00Introduction and Careers Service sessions to underpin career development
Placement/Study AbroadEmployer-based learning135:0035:00Placement work at providers premises
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion110:0010:00Reflective report
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion18:308:30Presentation preparation.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical11:001:00e-Portfolio introduction.
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading41:306:00Tutorial follow-up. Preparation of CV and letters. Careers literature.
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading91:009:00Lecture follow-up
Guided Independent StudySkills practice30:301:30Interviews
Guided Independent StudySkills practice31:003:00Preparation for interviews; research on providers
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching41:004:00Tutorials. CV preparation and placement support.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops30:301:30Careers Service workshops (compulsory attendance)
Guided Independent StudyReflective learning activity70:303:30Regular use of e-portfolio
Total100:00
Jointly Taught With
Code Title
MST2104Marine Research and Employability Skills
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Initial teaching sessions provide training and support to students in developing the skills required to approach providers and undertake the placement constructively from a career development perspective. These sessions will introduce students to: the operation and assessment of the module; the theory and practice of career development; and how to interact professionally with providers outside the University environment.

Reflective thinking is introduced and students are expected to continually record activities and reflect on their experience. Tutorials are provided throughout the module to support students in completing all the tasks required.

Achieving a placement position and undertaking the placement work provides students with a context within which to apply reflection and critical analysis of their situation and activities

Further teaching sessions give students the insights required to prepare the Reflective Report after critically reflecting on the placement experience as a career development opportunity. Assessed work links to the Graduate Skills Framework throughout.

Assessment Methods

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

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Oral Presentation152A15Placement activities and reflection
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written exercise2M15Work placement plan (1000 words)
Prof skill assessmnt2M30Assessment by placement provider
Report2M40Placement report (
Zero Weighted Pass/Fail Assessments
Description When Set Comment
Prof skill assessmntMCareers Workshops Record of Attendance Form
Written exerciseMHealth and Safety Checklist
Written exerciseMRecord of Activities Form
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
Written exercise1MCV and covering letter
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Formative assessment of the CV and covering letter sets the level of professionalism required in interacting with providers and for the summatively assessed elements.

The Work Placement Plan will be discussed with the placement supervisor to support students in developing timely and deliverable objectives to be undertaken during the placement and to set personal goals for the development of graduate skills.

The oral presentation requires students to briefly summarise their placement activities and reflect on their personal and professional development. Both this and the Reflective Report should draw extensively on e-Portfolio (or other diary) entries to demonstrate learning and development and on the original goals set out in the Work Placement Plan. Feedback from the oral presentation should feed into the Reflective Report.

Reflective Report provides an opportunity for the student to reflect on their professional development. It requires critical reflection on personal and professional development in relation to the Graduate Skills Framework and employability.

Evaluation by the provider encompasses all activities from initial interview to completion of agreed work, including workplace competence, overall impact, and evidence of learning and development.

In addition students will undertake Pass/Fail assessments as follows:

Careers Workshops Record of Attendance Form
Students need to attend three 'Careers Service' workshops of their choice and submit the form confirming their attendance at these workshops.

Health and Safety Checklist
Before students commence their placement, they need to complete and submit a 'Health and Safety' checklist their placement provider has signed.

Record of Activities Form
Students have to complete a 'Record of Activities' form countersigned by their placement supervisor to show the number of hours of direct engagement with the provider.

Reading Lists

Timetable