Experimental Science
| Module title | Experimental Science |
|---|---|
| Module code | NSC1004 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Kate Dunne (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 core experiments designed to complement and support the biology, chemistry and physics taught in the first year.
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, and is not open to students on other programmes.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aims of this module are to give you a foundation in the key experimental skills required to become a successful scientist and to help you learn how to apply the experimental method, developing your ability to make reliable measurements and reporting them in an effective and ethical 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 neat and accurate laboratory notebook
- 4. Recognise ethical frameworks that apply to science
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Communicate effectively and accurately through a report
- 6. Use the library and a range of online resources to research a topic of interest
Syllabus plan
Lectures will introduce students to laboratory health and safety, introduce assessments, provide background and context, and introduce key skills.
The laboratory sessions consist of core experiments designed to complement and support the biology, chemistry and physics taught in the first year. Other taught sessions, including online learning, will also be used to develop skills essential to experimental scientists.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 120 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 30 | Lectures, laboratory practicals and online learning activities |
| Guided independent study | 120 | Additional research, reading and preparation for module assessments. Independent online learning activities. |
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, 3 | Oral/written |
| Oral review of practical skills | 3 x five minute oral assessment of practical skills within class | 2, 3 | Oral |
| Biology laboratory report 1 | 700 words | 1-6 | Individual marksheet |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology laboratory report | 30 | 700 words | 1-6 | Individual marksheet |
| Physics laboratory report | 30 | 700 words | 1-6 | Individual marksheet |
| Chemistry laboratory report | 30 | 700 words | 1-6 | Individual marksheet |
| Health and Safety test | 5 | 30 minutes | 1,4,6 | Individual marksheet |
| Health and Safety exercise | 5 | 500 words | 1,4,6 | Individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology laboratory report | Laboratory report | 1-6 | August/September assessment period |
| Physics laboratory report | Laboratory report | 1-6 | August/September assessment period |
| Chemistry laboratory report | Laboratory report | 1-6 | August/September assessment period |
| Health and Safety test | Test | 1,4,6 | August/September assessment period |
| Health and Safety Exercise | 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
- ELE page: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=4504
- Web of Science
- Scopus
| 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 | 09/07/2020 |
