Experimental Science
| Module title | Experimental Science |
|---|---|
| Module code | NSC1004 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr David Horsell (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 60 |
|---|
Module description
This module will give you a broad foundation in experimental science, through laboratory sessions and other learning sessions, which you will build upon in Stage 2 and your research project in subsequent years.
The laboratory sessions consist of experiments designed to complement the biology, chemistry and physics topics taught in the first year and to prepare you for second year modules.
It will also help you to develop transferable skills such as report writing, which are essential to all scientists.
This is a compulsory module for students on the BSc/MSci Natural Sciences programme and is not open to students on other programmes.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aims of this module are to give youa foundation in the key experimental skills required to become a successful scientist and to help you learn how to apply the experimental method, developyourability to make reliable measurements, and reportfindings in an effective and scientifically robust manner.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Plan and execute experimental investigations
- 2. Analyse and interpret scientific results
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Prepare and maintain a useful and accurate laboratory notebook
- 4. Link practical work to other modules and wider science topics
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Communicate effectively and accurately through a scientific report
- 6. Know how to work with a range of core scientific tools
Syllabus plan
Lectures and workshops will introduce laboratory health and safety, notebook keeping and assessments, provide background and context to the laboratory experiments, and introduce other key skills.
The practical work consists of a variety of biology, chemistry and physics experiments that run over one or more sessions.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 74 | 76 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 74 | Lectures and workshops, laboratory practicals |
| Guided independent study | 76 | Additional research, reading and preparation for module assessments. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Review of laboratory notebooks | 2 x five minute oral assessments of notebooks within class | 1, 2, 3, 6 | Oral/written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laboratory Report 1 | 30 | 700 words | 1-6 | Individual marksheet |
| Laboratory Report 2 | 30 | 700 words | 1-6 | Individual marksheet |
| Laboratory Report 3 | 30 | 700 words | 1-6 | Individual marksheet |
| Health and Safety MCQ | 5 | 30 minutes | 1,4,5 | Automatic grade |
| Health and Safety exercise | 5 | 500 words | 1,4,5 | Group marksheet |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laboratory Report 1 | Written report | 1-6 | August/September assessment period |
| Laboratory Report 2 | Written report | 1-6 | August/September assessment period |
| Laboratory Report 3 | Written report | 1-6 | August/September assessment period |
| Health and Safety test | MCQ | 1,4,6 | August/September assessment period |
| Health and Safety Exercise | Individual Exercise | 1,4,6 | August/September assessment period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment, you will be expected to complete relevant deferred assessments as determined by the Mitigation Committee. If there are valid reasons why you cannot submit one or more of the original summative assessments, your assessment mark may be set aside or substituted by proxy mark as agreed by the Mitigation Committee and as described in the Mitigation section of the Assessment Handbook. The mark given for 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 40%) you will be required to submit a replacement laboratory report as determined by the Natural Sciences APAC. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Michael P. Marder (2011) Research Methods for Science, Cambridge University Press
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- Web-based and electronic resources: NSC1004 ELE page
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | NSC1002 Mathematics and Computing: Integrative Tools for Natural Sciences, NSC1003 Foundations in Natural Science, NSC1005 Frontiers in Science 1 |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 10/02/2014 |
| Last revision date | 05/04/2024 |
