CMB1011 : Professional and Practical Skills for Bioscientists
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Harley Stevenson-Cocks
- Co-Module Leader: Dr Alison Howard
- Lecturer: Dr Simon Wilkinson, Dr Sarah Judge, Dr Simon Cockell, Dr Lindi Chen, Dr Alessio Iannetti, Dr Christina Elliott
- Practical Supervisor: Professor Christopher Eggett, Dr Jeremy Brown, Dr Shiney Mathew, Dr Lindsey Ferrie, Dr Damian Parry, Mr Peter Luke, Dr Michele Sweeney, Dr Elisabeth Lowe, Professor Robert Hirt, Dr Vanessa Armstrong, Dr Beth Lawry
- 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 1 Credit Value: | 15 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 15 |
| ECTS Credits: | 15.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module aims to:
• Provide a range of both practical laboratory skills and generic study skills essential to students studying biomolecular and biomedical sciences.
• Provide opportunities for students to apply and strengthen theoretical knowledge gained in complementary and co-requisite modules in the performance of key analytical techniques and interpretation of data generated.
• Develop safe laboratory practice
Outline Of Syllabus
The module is structured into eight strands, six that align with the co-requisite theoretical modules and two generic skills strands.
The generic skills strands consists of: maths support and skills seminars; lectures on good academic practice and scientific writing (essays and lab reports); information retrieval and interpretation; group oral presentation assignment; basic and intermediate analysis of data including statistics; data-handling workshops; andn bioinformatics; plus an introductory practical on spectrophotometry.
The Biochemistry practical skills strand consists of laboratory-based practicals on: ion exchange chromatography, enzyme kinetics; and enzyme inhibition (semester 1).
The Cell Biology practical skills strand consists of laboratory-based practicals on: microscopic observation of unicellular eukaryotes; osmosis, pH and buffers; and neuromuscular function (semester 1).
The Genetics practical skills strand consists of laboratory-based practicals on: genetic transformation of E.coli and use of PCR/electrophoresis for genetic analysis; as well as a computer-based practical covering gene linkage (semester 1).
The Microbiology and Immunology practical skills strand consists of laboratory-based practicals on: introductory bacteriology; elements of the immune system and bacteriophage assays (semester 2).
The Physiology practical skills strand consists of laboratory-based practicals on: the physiology of the cardiovascular system; blood pressure; and respiratory physiology and lung function (semester 2).
The Pharmacology practical skills strand consists of laboratory-based practicals on: drug metabolism in vitro by liver microsomes; determination of paracetamol pharmacokinetics using spectrophotometry; the absorption of paracetamol and the effect of charcoal on drug absorption (semester 2).
Online material will supplement practical skills in advance of and following each session as formative pre-and post-practical quizzes.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 14 | 1:00 | 14:00 | In Person - Lectures will be on the following; literature searching, scientific writing, reading a scientific paper, maths, PCR, study skills, avoiding plagiarism,, statistics, essay writing(2), oral presentation, bioinformatics (2) and feedback literacy. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 19 | 1:00 | 19:00 | Pre and post practical quiz review and completion for every practical. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 2 | 6:00 | 12:00 | In Person - two microbiology and immunology practicals are x3 hrs each. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | In Person - one 2 hr Genetics computer based practical |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 16 | 3:00 | 48:00 | In Person - Each strand |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 30:00 | 30:00 | For summative assessments |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | In Person - Scientific writing (lab report) session (2), and oral presentation session. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | In Person - data handling (3), bioinformatics (1) and EndNote (1) workshops in computing clusters. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 146:00 | 146:00 | Consolidating knowledge of module and preparing work. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 21 | 1:00 | 21:00 | In Person - Semester 1 and 2 introductions. Plus each practical has a 1hr post-practical seminar. |
| Total | 300:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
1. Lectures will provide an introduction to the module and provide information about referencing, structure of scientific reports and essays, good academic practice, numeracy and study skills.
2. Seminars will provide students with the opportunity to develop their knowledge and practical experience of information retrieval and numeracy skills and review practical classes.
3. Practicals will provide experience of laboratory work; information presented in practicals will include knowledge and understanding of the underlying principles of essential practical techniques and laboratory health and safety. Students will gain hands-on experience of a range of practical techniques and safe laboratory practice. Practical classes will allow students to develop skills in recording and analysing biological data, carrying out scientific calculations and using computers. Practicals also provide an opportunity for students to ask questions and exchange ideas with peers, demonstrators and academic staff in a relatively informal setting. Skills practiced include critical
thinking, data analysis, numeracy, and use of computer applications and virtual laboratory resources.
4. Private study is used for self-directed learning and includes: reading lecture notes and texts; preparation for seminars and practicals; using learning resources on the Web. Skills practiced include critical thinking, active learning, goal setting and planning, information literacy and independence.
In-course assessments (formative practical quizzes, essays and practical reports) spread throughout the module will teach students time management and organisation and encourage independent working.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/lab report | 1 | M | 20 | Structured practical lab report on assigned practical (800 words) plus 200 words relevant article section. Submit via Canvas. |
| Essay | 1 | M | 15 | In-course extended essay, maximum 1000 words. |
| Essay | 2 | M | 25 | Extended essay, maximum 1200 words |
| Practical/lab report | 2 | M | 30 | Structured practical lab report on assigned practical (800 words) plus 200 words on relevant article section and 200 words reflective element (total 1200). |
| Oral Presentation | 2 | M | 10 | Group presentation to peers (presenting groups will be 4-6, audience approx. 25 students). (1 hour) |
Zero Weighted Pass/Fail Assessments
| Description | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Lab exercise | M | Ongoing in-person prac skills assessment. Student competency in core prac skills signed off throughout the year. Students must be signed off for all core skills by the end of the academic year, or pass an equivalent assessment in Aug Exam (resit) period |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
All semester 2 components and the practical skills assessment must be passed, alongside achieving a module mark of 40%, in order to pass this module.
Students are expected to complete all formative pre and post-practical quizzes. Pre-practical quizzes form part of the practical pre-work and are requisite for students to access subsequent practical materials online and for attendance at laboratory classes. It is in students’ best interests to understand and complete all work associated with each practical, as they may be assigned any practical to submit written reports on each semester which cumulatively contribute 50% of the overall module mark.
The range of assessment styles and format of assessments will ensure students passing the module achieved all learning outcomes.
1. The practical reports will assess the students’ writing and information literacy skills, as well as their ability to interpret and analyse experimental data and reference appropriately.
2. The extended essays will assess the students' writing skills, information literacy skills and ability to write a well- structured and correctly referenced essay on a scientific topic.
3. The ongoing practical skills assessment will assess students’ ability to perform basic laboratory techniques throughout the academic year.
4. The formative practical quizzes will ensure students are familiar with the underlying theory of practicals and will allow students to develop their numeracy, data handling and data interpretation skills.
5. The oral presentation will assess the students' oral presentation skills, information literacy skills and ability to work as part of a team.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CMB1011's Timetable