BIOL20060 Scientific Communication

Academic Year 2023/2024

The success of life on earth can largely be attributed to the high degree of organisation that can be seen in biological systems. Such systems occur at different levels, including molecular networks operating at the cellular level, networks and groups of cells coordinated at the organism level, and ultimately networks of organisms interacting with the environment. This module will explore some of these systems in greater detail by building on the basic concepts of biology gained in Stage 1. Working in small group tutorials led by a member of academic staff, students will choose a topic of interest to explore and research. The tutorials will be supported by a series of workshops to develop skills in data interpretation and analysis, scientific writing, writing a scientific summary (abstract), producing a graphical abstract, referencing and creating a bibliography. The module will place particular emphasis on the development of communication skills, in particular the skills involved in collating, reading, interpreting and summarising a topic to produce a concise scientific literature review on a topic.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On satisfactory completion of this module, students should have improved their ability to:
1. Prepare and communicate appropriate scientific concepts and findings in oral and written forms.
2. Explore and evaluate experimental data and discuss their importance and reliability.
3. Appreciate the complexity of biological systems.

Indicative Module Content:

The module consists of 7 workshops interspersed with 5 small group tutorials. Workshops are focused around:
1. Introduction to the module
2. Data interpretation
3. Graphical abstracts
4. Writing a scientific summary
5. Using a bibliography tool - endnote
6. Scientific writing - key tips
7. Career planning and internships

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Small Group

12
Tutorial

10
Specified Learning Activities

50
Autonomous Student Learning

53
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Workshops consist of a mixture of task based learning, peer and group work, group discussions.
Tutorials consist of small group discussions and peer review of work.
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Biological Systems (BIOL20030)


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: Engagement and participation at all tutorials is required. Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

20
Presentation: Short oral presentation of your final scientific poster will take place in the final workshop/ Week 12 n/a Graded No

50
Project: A complete first draft of a scientific poster with both written and graphical summary, data clearly presented and interpreted, conclusion and references Week 10 n/a Graded No

30

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

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual feedback will be given to students in tutorials on their draft graphical abstract and literature review

Name Role
Dr Jan-Robert Baars Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Chandra Bellasio Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Nicholas Brereton Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Rory Burke Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Edel Caraway Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Jens Carlsson Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Simone Ciuti Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Monica De Gaetano Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Fiona Doohan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Evelyn Doyle Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Elke Eichelmann Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr John Finarelli Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Wieland Fricke Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Michael Hackett Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Tamara Hochstrasser Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Grace Hoysted Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Graham Hughes Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Darrin Hulsey Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Rory Johnson Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Julia Jones Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Joanna Kacprzyk Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Adam Kane Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Olga Lastovetsky Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Tamsin Lyons Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Guerrino Macori Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Simone Marcone Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Paul McCabe Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Rachel McEvoy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Rainer Melzer Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Carla Naltchayan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Sonia Negrao Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Carl Ng Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Marcin Penk Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Susanne Schilling Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Jeremy Simpson Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Ilze Skujina Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Gavin Stewart Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Emma Teeling Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Paola Valentini Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Katharina Wollenberg Valero Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Jonathan Yearsley Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Paul Brooks Tutor
Dr Grace Cott Tutor
Dr Serena Sgarzi Tutor
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
      
Workshop Offering 1 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Workshop Offering 2 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 09:00 - 09:50
Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 09:00 - 09:50
Tutorial Offering 3 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 09:00 - 09:50
Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 09:00 - 09:50
Tutorial Offering 5 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 09:00 - 09:50
Tutorial Offering 6 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 33 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 6 Week(s) - 32 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 7 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 8 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 9 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 10 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 11 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Tutorial Offering 12 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Tutorial Offering 13 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Tutorial Offering 14 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Tutorial Offering 15 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Tutorial Offering 16 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Tutorial Offering 17 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 18 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 20 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 21 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 22 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 23 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 24 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 25 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 26 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 27 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 28 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 30 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 31 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 32 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Spring