Assessment

Assessment is based on the following:

• Examinations typically contribute 70% of the marks for each module. In the first year these are usually multiple choice and short answer papers, with the second and third year examinations being predominantly essay-based.
• Coursework: all modules contain some continuous assessment, which typically contributes 30% of the marks awarded for each module. This may include reports of practical work, written assignments, essays and oral presentations.
• Research Project (Final year): An individual research study resulting in the presentation of a dissertation makes up a significant part of the final year.

Course Structure

All of our courses are modular

The academic year is divided into two semesters. One of the benefits of the modular system is that your overall performance is fed back to you at the end of each semester in years one and two. This enables you to closely monitor your progress and, if necessary, adjust your work pattern. Each module has a credit rating (10 or 20). The credit rating is an indication of the workload required for the module. Each year you must complete 120 credits in order to progress to the next year.

Teaching

Lectures

Lectures form a vital part of University teaching. They are used to define the basic material for a given module. Lecture styles vary considerably and may include web-based delivery, demonstrations/ animations, as well as the traditional lecture format.

Tutorials

In a tutorial a small group of students meets with a member of staff for an hour. The format of tutorials will vary between modules but will involve teamwork. For tutorials students may be required to research a particular topic associated with the module concerned and discuss their findings with other members of their tutorial group, alternatively tutorials may take the form of problem solving sessions.

Laboratory Classes

Biological Science is, of course, a very practical subject, and so strong emphasis is placed on the acquisition of varied laboratory and field-work skills. During your undergraduate career you will acquire a full range of personal transferable practical, IT, team work and presentation skills. Practical classes take place in well-equipped laboratories, under the guidance of academic staff and postgraduate demonstrators. Laboratory based research projects allow you the opportunity to work in a research laboratory and gain experience of some specialist techniques, for example electron microscopy, NMR, PCR or patch clamping.

Facilities

IT provision

IT Services provide a networked microcomputer service to students, supplemented by Departmental PC sites, offering applications software, e-mail and access to the Internet and the University Campus Wide Information Service. Student access computer suites are used for some formal teaching sessions and are available to students for individual work. Students have access to their own computer file store, with common user interface, application software etc. from any of the 18 Open Access Areas on and off campus.

Library

The University’s award-winning David Wilson Library has an excellent stock of up to date books and receives over 200 periodical titles in Biological Sciences. There is online access to the Library catalogue and to an extensive range of journals available across the campus. Additional copies of texts in demand for taught courses are placed in the short loan collection.