BMS2013 : Practical and Presentational Skills in Biomedical Sciences
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Carys Watts
- Lecturer: Dr Damian Parry, Dr Michele Sweeney, Dr Richard McNally, Dr Catherine Meplan
- Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
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 enhance students’ practical skills in key techniques and data analysis.
•To develop an investigative approach and introduce students to experimental design in preparation for the final year project.
•To develop a deeper understanding of theoretical knowledge through related practical exercises.
•To develop practical report writing skills in preparation for the final year project.
Outline Of Syllabus
Practical lab classes will include:
• Cell culture techniques
• Epidemiological Investigation
• Investigation of respiratory disease
• PCR
• Aseptic technique
• Enzyme-linked and latex-agglutination immunoassay
• Record keeping
• Statistical analysis and presentation of data
• Analytical sensitivity
• Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity
• Case study presentation
Theoretical supporting classes will include:
• Epidemiological methods
• Cell culture techniques
• Oral presentation skills
• Writing an IMRaD report
• Analytical and diagnostic sensitivity and specificity
• Receiver Operating Curves
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | Non-sync online - topic talks about method evaluation and assessment skills |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | In person. 5 Min presentation to an assessor & sml group of peers (case study practical) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 7 | 1:00 | 7:00 | In person sessions relating to practical skills development |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | In person - Practical lab-based work - Method evaluation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 11:00 | 11:00 | In person - Practical lab-based work -Case Study investigation - multiple sessions |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 4:00 | 4:00 | In person - Practical lab-based work - Cell culture |
| Structured Guided Learning | Academic skills activities | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | Non-sync online - Epidemiological investigation - Practical simulation / data analysis |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 2 | 2:00 | 4:00 | Sync online Collaborative data analysis. Sml Grp work and formative individual writing. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Sync online Q&A sessions for each practical. Support/advice on data analysis and formative essay |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 60 | 1:00 | 60:00 | Preparation for practical classes, study of on-line supporting materials and assessment preparation |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Online and in person teaching sessions are used to impart new information in a concise manner regarding method principles and applications that underpin the practical aspects of this module (LO1- 6). The practical lab classes are designed to develop practical skills in techniques commonly used in biomedical science laboratories (SO1-3), and through related assessment an ability to communicate their findings and understanding (SO4-8). Students will be able to relate the theoretical learning in BMS2011, BMS2012, BMS2013, BMS2014 and BMS2015 to the practical labs in this module (LO1-6) (i.e., immunology, virology, respiratory disease, mucosal infections).
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prof skill assessmnt | 2 | M | 30 | Practical - Presentation of 5 min clinical Case Study to sml group of peers & an assessor - in person. |
| Practical/lab report | 2 | M | 70 | Practical - IMRaD style report on method evaluation, maximum 1700 word count |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 2 | M | Essay topic practical skills - 24hours to complete (30 min to complete without notes). Online sync feedback session to self-mark |
| Practical/lab report | 2 | M | Practice writing the abstract and any section student’s want to practice further (based on their feedback from stage 1 lab reports) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The module assessments are designed to improve students ability to correlate practical work with research methods and to relay their own findings in a scientific manner.
The epidemiological investigation practical provides the opportunity for analysis of the virtual spread of HIV in a population. Provision of epidemiological data will enable students to focus on their critical and analytical skills and how to effectively write up sections of an IMRaD report. This formative experience follows on from activities completed in stage 1 and allows practise in scientific writing including an abstract, prior to their assessed IMRaD report. The work will be self and peer reviewed using a marking rubric and online feedback to allow for qualitative reflection.
Assessment of the Method Evaluation Practical via an IMRaD (Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results and Discussion) report allows students to develop their analytical skills in the laboratory and subsequently using their results. The report enables students to demonstrate understanding of the method principles and diagnostic rationale (LOs 4-6, data acquisition and analysis (LO’s 5, 10-12) and can prepare a meaningful and succinct report which will develop their critical analysis and reflection in preparation for their final year dissertation report.
The Cell Culture practical allows students the opportunity to practice and observe the key skills needed for aseptic cell passage (L01,SO7). Practical worksheet questions enable student experience of data interpretation and analysis. The formative timed essay based on a subset of practical skills allows students the opportunity to research in depth a key practical technique and subsequently practice their time limited writing skills. Feedback will emphasise the composition of an essay, the structure, depth and relevance to title.
To meet LO3, SO4 and 8, students will use the results of their Case Study Investigation Practical to present upon one of the clinical cases. Peer assessment will be used to provide students the opportunity to engage further with marking criteria but also to reflect upon presentation styles and critically reflect upon content presented. An academic assessor will also provide marks and feedback to encourage reflection and to further prepare students for presenting their own research in their project dissertations.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- BMS2013's Timetable