NES3305 : Biological Modelling
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Professor Stephen Rushton
- Lecturer: Dr Roy Sanderson, Dr Mark Shirley
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To introduce students to the methodology of designing and implementing biological models for tactical and strategic research.
Outline Of Syllabus
The timetable has two blocks of teaching activities: lectures and practicals in the computer laboratory.
The course will consist of three components:
i) Introduction to the theory behind biological modelling. This will comprise 5-6 hours of lectures where students are introduced to different approaches and different applications. The emphasis will be on when, where and how one models different systems. During the course of developing their own model, students will be assessed on defining the problem, scoping the problem, formulation of conceptual diagrams and mathematical formulation of the problem.
ii) Using Shiny-based models to answer biological systems problems
iii) Development of a model tailored to the individual students interests. This element of the course involves computing, analysis and write up of reports. The majority of this work including the writing is undertaken under supervision. Students are trained to write their reports as an academic publication.
iv) Introduction to problem solving using a modelling approach. This aims to discuss how one would create a model and use it to solve a real ecological problem.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 60:00 | 60:00 | preparation and completion of 40% assessment |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 80:00 | 80:00 | Revision and completion for end of 60% assessment |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 9 | 1:00 | 9:00 | Lectures - recording available on Canvas |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 24:00 | 24:00 | Private study of handbook |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 5 | 3:00 | 15:00 | In person workshops |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 12 | 1:00 | 12:00 | Weekly session on problem solving |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Online lectures are used to explain the challenging conceptual framework which underpins different modelling approaches in ecology, backed up by references to the research literature.
There is a 43 page handbook for modelling provided for this module.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1 | M | 40 | Shiny Apps Report. Word count: 3,000 words |
| Report | 1 | M | 60 | Project Report - design of modelling approach to analyse a problem of the students choice Word count: 3,000 words |
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 exercise | 1 | M | Each student will be expected to present a diagram of their conceptual model that will form the basis of assessment 2 in the workshops. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The report assesses practical modelling skills primarily; scoping the problem, and designing and implementing a solution. The key objective of the module is to provide translational skills. These are best achieved through practical approaches to problem solving as experienced in the project itself and the write up.
Students are not penalised if the model fails to solve the problem.
Study Abroad students may request to take their assessment before the semester 1 exam period, in which case the format of the paper may differ from that shown in the MOF. Study Abroad students should contact the school to discuss this.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES3305's Timetable