Modules

Module title: Scientific Communication – Dissertation and Statistics (Sri Lanka)
SCQF level: 09:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: MIC09801
Module leader: Nick Wheelhouse
School School of Applied Sciences
Subject area group: Microbiology & Drug Discovery
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added
2018/9, Trimester 1, Face-to-Face, Edinburgh Napier University
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: Face-to-Face
Location of delivery: SRI LANKA
Partner: Edinburgh Napier University
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Donald Morrison
Module Organiser:


Learning, Teaching and Assessment (LTA) Approach:
Learning & Teaching methods including their alignment to LOs
For the dissertation (word limit 3000) the student will be expected to choose a topic under guidance from staff (LO1) and search for, compare and evaluate primary scientific literature (LO2). Lectures will be given to explain the nature of a dissertation, and to explain its structure and presentation. Practical classes will be provided to give guidance on bibliographic database and other electronic searching. The first two Tutorials will be provided on a one-to-one basis to support the processes of choice of topic (LO1), information gathering (LO2), critical review (LO4), structuring of the dissertation (LO3) and presentation in a logical and scientific style (LO5). The third tutorial will present the students with examples of good and bad practice in writing, presentation and citation (LO4 and LO5) and they will mark these according to the module Marking Criteria.
Statistics will be taught by a mixture of lectures and practical classes. In lectures, the theory of the various statistical tests will be explained, and when particular tests should be used will be discussed (LO6). Students will have the opportunity to practise the various tests in the computer laboratories, and their abilities will be tested in through the series of lab assessments and test.
Questioning is encouraged during face-to-face teaching in lectures, practicals, tutorials and on-line using Moodle discussion forums. Personalised feedback is given during Tutorials 1 and 2 and on the final submitted dissertation. Feedback on lab assessments will be given through Moodle. Students will be given specific guidance on the use of Turnitin® for self-evaluation of the originality of their work, in addition to its use for electronic submission on Moodle for assessment of coursework.

Embedding of employability/PDP/Scholarship Skills
Key employability skills are embedded. Critical thinking and written and oral communication skills are requi

Formative Assessment:
Key employability skills are embedded. Critical thinking and written and oral communication skills are required in the tutorial work and coursework component. Numerical skills will be developed through the statistics component. IT skills are required for the analysis of data, the use of Moodle, on-line literature searches and preparation/submission of coursework.

Summative Assessment:
Key employability skills are embedded. Critical thinking and written and oral communication skills are required in the tutorial work and coursework component. Numerical skills will be developed through the statistics component. IT skills are required for the analysis of data, the use of Moodle, on-line literature searches and preparation/submission of coursework.

Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)
Face To Face Lecture 8
Face To Face Practical classes and workshops 16
Face To Face Tutorial 6
Independent Learning Guided independent study 170
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words
Report 5 1,3 7 HOURS= 0, WORDS= 0
Dissertation 45 2,4,5 12 HOURS= 0, WORDS= 3000
Class Test 20 6 6 HOURS= 1, WORDS= 0
Class Test 30 6 12 HOURS= 1, WORDS= 0
Component 1 subtotal: 50
Component 2 subtotal: 50
Module subtotal: 100

Description of module content:

Use of online electronic databases. Identification of primary sources of literature. Abstraction of information. Interpretation of data. Writing in a scientific style. Presentation of conflicting arguments. Consideration of how to design experiments Analysis of data using appropriate statistical methods.
Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to
LO1: Choose a topic relevant and appropriate to your subject area.
LO2: Search for, compare and evaluate primary literature on the topic.
LO3: Construct an outline of the review and a preliminary list of sources.
LO4: Examine scientific argument and present a balanced and critical review.
LO5: Present information in a logical and scientific style.
LO6: Determine appropriate statistical methods to analyse data from experiments.
Indicative References and Reading List - URL:

Please contact your Module Leader for details
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