Natural Sciences

This module is designed to underpin and develop key skills required by a scientific researcher. It comprises interdisciplinary research work, core practical and analytical challenges, and interactive lectures.

At the heart of the module is the project, which spans the second term: you will design, build, run and analyse experiments that will require elements of computer programming, physics, biology, chemistry and mathematical modelling. The written report of the project will take the form of a scientific paper. You will also present your results as an oral presentation at a conference held at the end of the module.

Modern apparatus and techniques used across the sciences will be introduced and explained in a series of lectures, which you will then use to help shape your project. In addition, you will undertake a series of shorter experiments that are designed to develop core, transferrable scientific skills.

This is a compulsory module for students on the BSc/MSci Natural Sciences degree programme.

The aim of this module is to introduce and develop the core skills that are required by a modern scientific researcher. These readily transferrable skills include the ability to design, coordinate, conduct and analyse the results of a multidisciplinary research project, and to summarise the project in the form of a scientific paper and conference presentation. Lectures on modern methodologies and instruments, along with a series of focussed experiments, aim to build an extensive scientific toolkit with which to design advanced future projects.

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

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

• 1. Source and assimilate scientific literature
• 2. Plan and execute experimental investigations
• 3. Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific results
• 4. Develop new ideas based on experimental results and model predictions

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

• 5. Collaborate effectively with other scientists
• 6. Use cross-disciplinary approaches to solve scientific problems

Personal and Key Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge:

• 7. Communicate effectively and accurately both orally and in writing
• 8. Demonstrate effective use of available tools and resources
• 9. Bring together knowledge, concepts and context to generate ideas

The module is divided into three parts: Exploring Frontiers lectures, Short Experiments and the Project.

The Exploring Frontiers lectures are designed to introduce the concepts needed for the practical, analytical and modelling work and to introduce modern scientific techniques. These occur throughout the year. The Short Experiments take place in term 1; the Project in term 2. The module is supported throughout by academics and demonstrators.

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a 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 resubmit the project report (weighted 70%) and the short report (weighted 30%). The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%.

Reading list for this module:

• M. T. Madigan et al., 'Brock Biology of Microorganisms', Pearson Education, ISBN: 032173551X
• G. Ruxton and N. Colegrave: Experimental Design for the Life Sciences (3rd edition), Oxford University Press, ISBN 0199569126
• W. McKinney, 'Python for Data Analysis', O'Reilly Media, ISBN: 1449319793
• A. B. Downey, 'Think Python', O'Reilly Media, ISBN: 144933072X
• E. Beltrami, 'Mathematics for Dynamic Modeling', Academic Press, ISBN: 0120855666
• E. Bender, 'Introduction to Mathematical Modelling', Dover Publications, ISBN: 048641180X
• L. Edelstein-Keshet, 'Mathematical Models in Biology', SIAM, ISBN: 0898715547
• M. P. Marder, 'Research Methods for Science', Cambridge University Press, ISBN: 0521145848
• D. B. Murphy and M. W. Davidson, 'Fundamentals of Light Microscopy and Electronic Imaging', Wiley-Blackwell, ISBN: 047169214X

Yes

• ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=4340