DEVELOPING AS A SCIENTIST: ADVANCED TECHNIQUES IN BIOCHEMISTRY - 2023/4

Module Overview

In this module students will undertake a programme of training and development activities in preparation for their MSci Research Project which will come in two forms:

• Pre-planned experimental training and competency – laid out and agreed with the project supervisor. Students will be expected to book and receive training, and to demonstrate competency on repeated performances of the methodologies where appropriate.

• Self-identified CPD opportunities – either internal or external opportunities. Which may range from attendance at lecture series or skills development workshops arranged by SPLASH and the library.

• Pre-planned theoretical training and competency – laid out and agreed with the project supervisor. Students will be expected to engage with blended learning activities through the Postgraduate Hub subjects, which include research design, ethics and statistical analysis.

Module provider

School of Biosciences

Module Leader

MEIRA Lisie (Biosciences)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

BMS3048 Research project

Module content

Skill development may include, but are not limited to:

• Cell culture


• Western blot


• Protein purification


• PCR variants


• Molecular Biology


• Bioanalysis software usage


• Statistics packages and usage


• Bioinformatic approaches


• Systems biology


• Writing workshops


• Lecture series


• External training events


• Biometrology


• Enzyme kinetic measurement


• Spectrophotometry

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate Practical competency in undertaking a programme of research and evaluation into biochemically relevant research problems.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Completion of competency skills in the experimental modules (PASS/FAIL)

                Students will have demonstrated engagement with timetabled lab sessions and lab meetings (a minimum of 75% attendance), and will have satisfactorily completed a programme of pre-designed experiments.

• Completion and write up of the first experimental module - submission through Lab Archives (20%)


• Completion and write up of 2/3 of the remaining experimental modules - submission through Lab Archives (40%)


• Reflective narrative of students' progress and development (40%).

Unit of assessment and weighting Module learning outcomes met Coursework package 1, 2, 3

Formative assessment

Supervisory meetings and LabArchives/portfolio check. Formative feedback will be provided to the students, during which the supervisor or module leader will feedback to the students on LabArchives/experimental portfolio.

Feedback

Laboratory training feedback, supervisory discussions. Timetabled lab meeting sessions will be used for formative feedback to be provided to the students. 

Module aims

• Enhance and develop the students practical and analytical skills in biochemical research.
• Provide a structured framework to enable the student to engage in a CPD style professional development to support the undertaking research project.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to: Students will be provided with training opportunities to register for, and the ability to practice and further develop newly learned skills. They will take ownership of this, and will provide a reflective record to the supervisor for final sign off. The module teaching hours will be fulfilled with bespoke learning activities which are determined by the specifics of the dissertation project. Practical skills training will be delivered, and the students will need to perform practices until they can be signed off as competent to undertake the procedure without help. This applies to wet-lab practical activities or software analyses.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Practical training and development of skills


• Statistical education and other blended learning activities


• Workshops and tutorials where necessary


• Supervisory meetings and check points

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: BMSM024

Other information

Surrey's Curriculum Framework is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability and Resourcefulness and Resilience.  

 

BMSM024 is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills and capabilities in the following areas: 

Employability: 

The module will enhance employability through knowledge of subject area, problem solving and critical analysis skills - key to employment and success in the professional workplace. The module is heavily practical and designed with the laboratory scientist in mind, however, students will be trained in real-world skills that are valuable for any professional in science: team work, project management, independent learning, and clear and concise writing.  

 

Digital Capabilities: 

Use of various platforms such as Zoom, Panopto and MS Teams for online interaction and review of content. Use of an electronic lab notebook (LabArchives) for recording procedures, results and data obtained. Use of varied statistical and bioinformatic tools. 

 

Global and Cultural Capabilities: 

Module is research intensive and we strive to use research examples from a range of countries and cultures to highlight during the module. Module team is from diverse global and cultural backgrounds, and the module is very interactive so students and module team benefit and enhance their global and cultural capabilities. 

 

Sustainability: 

In line with OneHealth approach the module works towards relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) like SDG3 (health). 

 

Resourcefulness and Resilience: 

Self directed flipped learning supported by active learning tutorials. Independent research complements active learning tutorials. The students work independently and in groups and become critical of their ability and understanding of experimental work and design. 

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.