Bachelor of Science (BSc)

BSc Biology with Science & Society

Consider the social, ethical and political dimension of the biosciences through our course.
  • Duration: 3 years
  • Year of entry: 2025
  • UCAS course code: C1V3 / Institution code: M20
  • Key features:
  • Study abroad
  • Field trips

Full entry requirementsHow to apply

Course unit details:
Academic Tutorials Year 1

Course unit fact file
Unit code BIOL10000
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 1
Teaching period(s) Full year
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

You will have a mixture of small group tutorials with your Academic Tutor and plenary sessions as part of a larger group. Small group tutorials will allow you to get to know your Academic Tutor/Advisor and develop skills associated with your degree programme through activities including essay writing, discussions, oral presentations and production of group posters. Plenary sessions will equip you with the skills to understand academic assessment and to communicate via multiple routes. They will also introduce skills that will enhance your employability.

Aims

To allow all students to develop the skills associated with their degree programme, along with many personal transferable skills that will prove of general use and enhance employability.

 

Learning outcomes

  • Develop and apply degree programme-specific knowledge.
  • Develop and apply degree programme-specific skills.
  • Develop and apply a range of transferable skills.
  • Describe the relationship between assessment and learning.
  • Apply a conceptual (and theoretical) understanding of assessment.
  • Describe the nature and meaning of assessment criteria and understanding.
  • Select and apply appropriate approaches to assessment tasks.
  • Search for information and identify relevant data to meet information needs.
  • Identify relevant information to communicate science to specific audiences.
  • Demonstrate skills in self and peer assessment.
  • Develop and apply appropriate approaches to avoid plagiarism.
  • Demonstrate and apply data presentation and analysis skills.
  • Identify how to evidence and apply transferable skills for job applications and interviews in the future.

Syllabus

Syllabus The unit will normally include at least 12 hours contact with the Tutor in tutorials in small groups (for further details see the first level tutorial handbook). Some sessions will be delivered to larger groups of students as plenary sessions. Some tutorials may be student-led and held without the Tutor. The scientific content of these sessions will vary between degree programmes, but all will include: • essay writing • discussion • team working • poster presentation • employability development Attendance Attendance at small group tutorials is compulsory. Students who fail to attend tutorials, or who have an overall mark for their tutorial assignments of less than 40% will fail the tutorial unit. Compensation for partial failure of the examinations is available only to students who have passed the tutorial unit. In addition, students who fail the tutorial unit are required to complete an extended essay assignment during the summer vacation.

Employability skills

Analytical skills
Students participate in problem solving exercises.
Group/team working
Students work on posters in groups, and do other assignments in pairs/teams.
Innovation/creativity
Students must ensure posters are visually appealing.
Leadership
Students must manage sessions without their Tutor to ensure work is completed.
Project management
Students must manage assignments that may include multiple components and ensure completion to deadline.
Oral communication
Students give presentations and regularly have in-class discussions.
Problem solving
Students participate in problem solving exercises.
Research
Students must research topics for group posters and essays.
Written communication
Students prepare multiple essays and other short pieces of written work.

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Other 10%
Written assignment (inc essay) 90%

Semester 1 Essay 10%, Semester 1 Poster 30%, Semester 2 Essay 30%, Programme-specific Assignment 30%

Feedback methods

Students will receive written and verbal feedback from their Academic Tutor for all work submitted for the tutorial unit. Students are also encouraged to meet with their Academic Tutor to discuss their feedback in more detail.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Tutorials 23
Independent study hours
Independent study 77

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Catherine Millar Unit coordinator

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