How to Think Like a Scientist

Learning Outcomes

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• work with, and within, a group towards defined outcomes
• manage resources and time
• learn independently through critical enquiry
• use information technology and other resources to find, extract and synthesise information
• present scientific data - effectively, both oral and in written form across a range of topics, to both specialised and non-specialised audiences

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• develop an understanding of statistics that will allow the student to implement hypothesis-driven research
• understand and implement professional values and practices as part of scientific integrity
• bioethics required for carrying out research

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• theoretical and practical understanding of general laboratory skills involving microbiology, molecular biology and biophysical techniques
• Understand what is meant by Good Laboratory Practise (GLP) and how to implement this in laboratory and field work.
• independently integrate and evaluate data and information from a wide range of sources, including primary source materials in peer reviewed journals, on-line resources, and experimental data
• generate an appropriate bibliography with the use of defined format and referencing styles
• formulate and test a hypothesis
• write a scientific project report that includes an introduction, materials & methods, results and conclusions
• compose and abstract and a lay summary to communicate findings to appropriate audiences
• independently locate and retrieve scientific data and information
• develop scientific research skills

The module is designed in content specific “blocks” that present a specific task, each associated with a skills set to be taught. While the blocks are identical for all students, the contents varies with cohort (Y-shaped). Included are:

• design of an experiment: formulate a hypothesis, bioethics, design a proposal
• field work: collect data, record observations
• research: analyse data, apply statistical methods, use online tools
• dissemination: present data in a talk / in a report, write a paper
• science overview: learn from other areas of science

The module is flexible in structure and use a number of different teaching methods to learn skills:

(1) lectures will give an overview of different sciences, and introduce the background, e.g., in statistics and bioethics; (2) practical work will be carried out in field work or laboratory based; (3) data analysis and use of online resources is CLS computer based; (4) workshops allow to exercise and train skills, e.g. library workshops; (5) peer assessed presentations help sharpen the skills set.

Tutorials are an element to complement teaching, guide learning, and add pastoral care.

Self-directed learning uses textbook as well as online resources.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Academic Integrity Test

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback:
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No

Statistics assignment

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback:
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No

Assessed Tutorials

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback:
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.