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Professional Skills

Module description

In this module you will trained in relevant skills for postgraduate study. Oral communication skills will be enhanced by video recording of student oral presentations and written communication skills will be enriched through specialised science communication lectures. You will also get experience in writing conference abstracts and reports for non-scientists as well as scientific literature. You will receive training in experimental design and statistical methods for data analysis as well as health and safety training. Bespoke career guidance and feedback will be provided by the University Careers Zone staff.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to ensure that you are trained in the appropriate methodological skills to undertake work at Masters level, and to ensure that early in the programme you are equipped with the range of transferable and personal skills necessary for the programme generally and more widely for careers in industry, government agencies and academia. Accordingly, you are introduced to skills involving: statistics and experimental design, communication skills (both oral and written, for specialist and wider audiences), discussion of and recognition of plagiarism, time and project management, health and safety, use of information networks and databases for e-science purposes, career and employment skills. Critically, the module also aims to provide a basis for the advanced research skills which are developed in research project modules.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Illustrate some current key topics in contemporary science
• 2. Describe thoroughly statistical methods and tests useful for designing experiments and analysing experimental data
• 3. Utilise effectively various information networks and databases for furthering your knowledge in science
• 4. Explain the relevant health and safety issues associated with laboratory and field work in science
• 5. Communicate science effectively through oral and written presentations to a non-specialist audience

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. Evaluate critically and describe systematically current problems and/or new insights in biological sciences much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of the field of study
• 7. Describe comprehensively some techniques applicable to research in relevant Bioscience areas
• 8. Apply knowledge with originality and explain how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline
• 9. Evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline, evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, propose new hypotheses

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 10. Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate your conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences
• 11. Tackle and solve problems with self-direction and originality, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level
• 12. Demonstrate self-direction in advancing your knowledge and understanding and in developing new skills to a high level

Syllabus plan

Specific topics covered may change annually to focus on the latest developments and to reflect the expertise of speakers, but coverage will include:

• Basic Research Skills: literature searching and information retrieval including database and WWW access; management of science in public sector and industry.
• Personal and Key Skills: effective and safe communication using contemporary platforms.
• Laboratory and Field Safety: COSHH and risk assessment relevant to Biosciences, fire handling, first aid, manual handling. Example assessments of risk/COSSH assignments must be completed satisfactorily (formative feedback is provided by the School Safety Officer to ensure this is done correctly).
• Communication of Science: training is provided in communicating science for a non-specialist audience, including creation of web-based material and media training with our University Science Press Officer. This also includes practice oral presentations that receive written formative feedback, and viewing a video of your own presentation for self-appraisal and improvement.
• Statistics: Experimental design, fundamental statistical analyses using general linear models, and data visualisation using the “R” software. Course content is delivered as five 1-hour lectures followed by 10 hours of interactive workshops and stats drop-ins p to help students develop the quantitative skills required for their projects.
• Entrepreneurship: You will learn about a Department of Biosciences spin-out company. The technology, funding and running of the company will all be discussed.
• Library and IT Skills: computer systems, networks, operating systems, basic computer software use, and the World Wide Web.
• Scientific Awareness: you will attend a program of School seminars from internal and external speakers.
• Career and Employability Skills: grant proposals. Application processes for level 7 graduates’ career pathways for academic research and industry. A careers drop-in clinic is operated and opportunities to meet alumni and relevant employers are provided.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to re-submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Stuart, C. (2005). Speak for Yourself: How to Give Persuasive Presentations and Entertaining Talks - With Confidence. Piatkus Books, London.
• Barass, R. (2002). Scientists Must Write: A Guide to Better Writing for Scientists, Engineers and Students (Routledge Study Guides), Routledge, London.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE page:  https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=9283
• University of Bath. Key Skills online: http://www.bath.ac.uk/keyskills/lskills/TLTP3/afterenter.html

Key words search

Statistical methods and tests, science communication, professional development, health and safety, current topics in contemporary science