BSc Biology with Science & Society / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Science & Society RSM

Course unit fact file
Unit code BIOL20302
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 2
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This Research Skills Module is designed to develop your research, interpretative and analytic thinking skills. You will improve your academic writing skills, learning how to write up research in publication format. You will be introduced to key sources and methods used in research of the History of Science Technology and Medicine and have the opportunity to perform a mini research project on your area of interest.

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
Science and the Modern World (20 Credits) HSTM10721 Pre-Requisite Recommended
  • HSTM10721 Science and the Modern World (Recommended)

Aims

The programme unit aims to:

  1. Provide the opportunity for students to perform a mini-research project on issues relating to science & society.
  2. Introduce students to key sources and methods in HSTM research, including a critical analysis of the limitations of sources and methods.
  3. Show students how to write up research results in publication format.

Learning outcomes

Students will be able to:

  • Understand the sources and methods used in HSTM research including the use of printed, visual, statistical, material, oral and unpublished sources.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with key methodologies for approaching HSTM source material.
  • Improve academic writing skills including the writing up of research in publication format.
  • Develop interpretative and analytic thinking skills.

Syllabus

The course will comprise two components. First, students will be required to attend weekly lectures/seminars. These sessions will cover the following topics:

  • Reading and note-taking skills
  • Writing strategies in Science & Society
  • Using official and archival sources
  • Using newspapers and magazines
  • Using interviews, oral history and memoirs
  • Using film and fictional media
  • Using images
  • Dealing with controversy

Students will also be required to work on individual projects. This involves individual meetings with a supervisor and intensive supervision on choosing, designing, and writing an HSTM project.

Employability skills

Analytical skills
Students work on a research project over the whole term, preparing a research proposal, a bibiliography, a primary source critique and an essay.
Innovation/creativity
Students work on a research project over the whole term, preparing a research proposal, a bibiliography, a primary source critique and an essay.
Project management
Students work on a research project over the whole term, preparing a research proposal, a bibiliography, a primary source critique and an essay.
Oral communication
All sessions are seminar sessions, requiring significant student input.
Problem solving
Students work on a research project over the whole term, preparing a research proposal, a bibiliography, a primary source critique and an essay.
Research
Students work on a research project over the whole term, preparing a research proposal, a bibiliography, a primary source critique and an essay.
Written communication
Students work on a research project over the whole term, preparing a research proposal, a bibiliography, a primary source critique and an essay.

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Other 50%
Project output (not diss/n) 50%

Topic Proposal (10%)

Primary Source Bibliography (10%)

Critical analysis of sources (30%)

Project (50%)

Feedback methods

Students receive a face to face meeting with the Unit Coordinator to discuss their work; with the written feedback to their source analysis and projects.

Recommended reading

Gina Wisker, The Undergraduate Research Handbook (Palgrave 2009)

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Project supervision 3
Seminars 24
Independent study hours
Independent study 73

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Cinzia Greco Unit coordinator

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