BIOL30040 Scientific Writing for Biology

Academic Year 2024/2025

This module will enhance the development of scientific writing skills in undergraduate biology students. While the key principles of scientific writing will be covered (e.g. citation, structure, peer-review, plagiarism), the focus of this module is the improvement of the student’s individual writing skills. In order to help achieve this valuable outcome, each student will produce a literature review on a chosen topic in their biological degree programme. A number of continuous assessment exercises will be undertaken to assist in this writing process. Students will also perform a graded, peer-review exercise with their classmates, involving the giving and receiving of feedback.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, students will be able to:
- understand the fundamental principles of producing high quality scientific writing;
- use these principles to evaluate their own work and give formative feedback on peer-written work;
- write a scientific biological literature review on a given topic.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

12
Autonomous Student Learning

113
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Key teaching and learning approaches used in the module are: active/task-based learning; peer and group work; on-line lectures/workshops; critical writing; reflective learning. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
AESC30010 - Scientific Writing & Review


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Online writing exercises and peer review of the first 500 words of the literature review. Week 4 Graded No

20

 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Submission of first 1000 words of literature review for grading and feedback from module co-ordinator. Week 7 Graded No

20

 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Final 3000 word literature review Week 12 Graded No

60

 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback given by staff to individual students on both the initial draft version of first part of the literature review and the final graded version. Class feedback given by module co-ordinator on draft assignments to highlight common problems. Peer review feedback also given.

Name Role
Dr Jan-Robert Baars Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Jens Carlsson Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Julia Jones Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Antoinette Perry Lecturer / Co-Lecturer