Module manager: Takashi Ochi
Email: T.Ochi@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
Successful completion of Year One (Level 4) biological sciences or equivalent
BIOL2301 BIOL2303
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module will be the intermediate “Skills” module for Biological Sciences and Biological Sciences (Biotechnology with Enterprise) in the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology. The module will provide intermediate level training on core laboratory and research skills (i.e. design / execution of experiments, and analyses / interpretation / presentation of data) delivered to students through a mini research project on mammalian cellular signalling. This will be complemented by tutorials designed to increase student confidence in data manipulation / analysis in tutorials.
This module aims to build on the research skills acquired in the ‘skills’ modules delivered in year one and semester one of year two. The module will continue training students in key biological sciences laboratory techniques and effective presentation of outputs in a range of formats. These skills are necessary for conducting a project in year three or post-graduate. To achieve this aim, the objectives of this module are:
(i) To build competency in designing and planning experiments.
(ii) To develop competency in a range of cellular and intermediate molecular and cellular laboratory and computational techniques
(iii) To develop competency in intermediate numerical manipulation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data commonly generated in a research project.
(iv) To continue developing the ability to write clear and coherent laboratory reports, building a foundation for Year Three (Level 6)
(v) To develop effective scientific communication skills in written and oral formats.
(vi) To continue developing skills in problem solving and teamwork.
Intermediate laboratory skills will be developed in the practical classes, which are scaffolded by the experimental investigation of core concepts and supported by laboratory support staff, post-graduate demonstrators and an academic staff member.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
1. Design experiments, including appropriate controls, to test hypotheses arising from biological questions in molecular and cellular biology.
2. Conduct a series of experiments investigating a biological question at the cellular and molecular level by applying practical techniques to a high level of competence.
3. Analyse, trouble shoot, interpret and critically interrogate a variety of experimental data, including the appropriate use of statistical tests, scientific data and/or literature
4. Deliver clear written and oral presentations of own and/or published biological data in the broader framework of scientific literature.
5. Apply teamwork and communication skills to coordinate and complete a scientific project within a group setting.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Practical | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Practical | 8 | 6 | 48 |
| Seminar | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| Independent online learning hours | 34 | ||
| Private study hours | 100 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 66 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
We will provide formative feedback during tutorials and workshops:
1. Presentation
Students will give formative presentations to personal tutors and get feedback on their slides and presentation styles from the tutors and peers during the tutorials. Students will then give summative presentations, marked by the tutors, using the same format but on different topics.
2. Practical reports (in writing or poster)
In writing: Students will get formative feedback on the data analysis of their experimental data during a workshop. However, since students will have written practical reports in semester 1, we will not set a formative practical report in semester 2.
Poster: The feedback from the presentation will be incorporated into the preparation of posters. Additionally, students will prepare a portion of the summative poster in the middle of Semester 2 and receive feedback on it.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Individual oral presentation on a topic relevant to the biological sciences | 25 |
| Coursework | Practical report (in writing with accompanying poster presentation) | 75 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 03/03/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team