Natural Sciences

NSC1005 - Frontiers in Science 1 (2015)

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MODULE TITLEFrontiers in Science 1 CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODENSC1005 MODULE CONVENERProf Geoffrey Nash (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11 11 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 40
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

This module will introduce you to the wide range of interdisciplinary scientific research being undertaken across the University, and beyond, through a series of seminars and workshops.

It will also help you to develop and reflect on a portfolio of transferable skills essential to all scientists including scientific writing, group working, and presentation skills. These will be developed through activities such as a student conference.

This is a compulsory module for students on the BSc/MSci Natural Sciences and should be taken in parallel with NSC1002 Mathematics and Computer Science: Integrative Tools for Natural Sciences, NSC1003 Foundations in Natural Science and NSC1004 Experimental Science.

AIMS - intentions of the module

This module aims to help develop your understanding of the history, philosophy and methodology of science and the mechanisms by which science advances, and to give an overview of what it is like to be a scientist and the environment and context in which scientists work.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

1. Describe current areas of scientific research
2. Analyse and interpret scientific results

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

3. Critically assess and summarise a scientific article or presentation
4. Recognise ethical frameworks that apply to science

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

5. Communicate effectively and accurately both orally, including through presentations, and in writing
6. Use the library and a range of online resources to research a topic of interest
7. Operate effectively within a team

 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

The module will begin with a short (approximately 10 lectures) introduction to the history, philosophy and ethics of science.

In each subsequent week there will either be a research seminar, or a professional skills workshop. The seminars will be given by leading researchers and will be followed by group activities. The professional skills workshops will cover areas such as communication, scientific literature, science funding, and career paths in science. There will be a student conference at which there will be a group presentation on an aspect of science research.

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 46.00 Guided Independent Study 104.00 Placement / Study Abroad 0.00
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching 10 HPE Lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching 16 Scientific research seminars
Scheduled Learning and Teaching 16 Professional Skills workshops
Scheduled Learning and Teaching 4 Student conference
Guided independent study 104 Additional research, reading and preparation for module assessments

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Practice group presentation 10 minutes All Oral
       
       
       
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 65 Written Exams 0 Practical Exams 35
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Ethics essay 20 1000 words 3-6 Individual marksheet
Group presentation 35 20 minutes All Marksheet and oral feedback
Skills portfolio 45 Maximum of 6 pages 1-5 Individual marksheet
         
         

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Ethics essay Ethics essay 3-6 August/September assessment period
Group presentation Individual presentation All August/September assessment period
Skills portfolio 1000 word report summarising two research seminars 1-6 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 Natural Sciences 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 undertake re-assessments as described in the table above for any of the original assessments that you failed. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:

Kuhn, T. S. (1996) The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 3rd Ed.).

Popper, K. (1959 [1935]) The Logic of Scientific Discovery (New York: Basic Books).

C. G. Hempel, The Philosophy of Natural Sciences, Prentice Hall 1966.

S. Shapin, The Scientific Revolution, Chicago University Press 1998.

Hacking, Ian (1983) Representing and Intervening: Introductory Topics in the Philosophy of Natural Science.

Okasha, S. Philosophy of Science: A Very Short Introduction.

Resnik, DB (1998) The Ethics of Science. Routledge.

Rollin, B (2006) Science and Ethics. Cambridge University Press.

Michael P. Marder (2011) Research Methods for Science, Cambridge University Press

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=4505

 

Web based and Electronic Resources:

 

Other Resources:

 

Reading list for this module:

There are currently no reading list entries found for this module.

CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 4 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Friday 09 January 2015 LAST REVISION DATE Thursday 14 May 2015
KEY WORDS SEARCH Natural science, scientific ethics, practical science, research methods