Teaching and learning

Module teaching is primarily in the form of attended lectures and seminars across terms 1 and 2. Face-to-face attended sessions form typically approx 18-20 hours per week in terms 1 and 2 and there is considerable independent reading and study expected through the module delivery period and in the periods of independent research.

Lectures allow for specific, in depth information to be provided while seminars allow for interrogation and discussions of material covered to develop understanding. Group tutorials allow for more detailed appraisal of the learning journey and further consideration of the material covered in lectures and seminars. Lab time and guided practical sessions allow for you to evolve hands on technical skills, facility and processes for lab based research activity

Module consolidation seminars involving problem or case based presentations relating to module content and informal quizzes allow for knowledge and understanding to be tested, and for formative feedback to be given, in advance of summative assessment, alongside focused revision sessions.

Research in practice seminars allow for investigative, analytical, synthesis and data interrogation skills to be developed, prior to being put into practice in the dissertation module. A considerable number of student-led journal club sessions will develop the crucial skills of scientific scrutiny, peer-reviewing and abstract writing.

Digital learning/VLE you can expect to engage in some online activities to support independent study, which may include guided learning activities (online quizzes), attendance on digital platforms for tutorials, discussion and presentations; review video material such as lectures to consolidate understanding and supply written tasks via digital methods such as e-portfolios, and Turnitin. Some tutorials and research supervision may be conducted via online/distance methods.

Independent research and reflection forms a substantial proportion of the study hours, encompassing time spent preparing for taught module sessions and assessments, and planning, shaping and conducting the research for your projects, which may include self led lab time as well as library based research. You will systematically gather and analyse research data to draw conclusions, with the assistance of academic supervisors.

Term 3 encompasses the research project modules which are fundamentally reliant on you learning autonomously, but with academic supervision and pastoral support throughout.

Students take a wide variety of assessments on the programme.

Summative assessments are taken in the form of:

• Written exams – testing knowledge, and applying knowledge and understanding to case study/scenario analysis
• Coursework essays – organisation of knowledge and understanding in order to develop cohesive argument
• Written reports – demonstrating skills of reflection, evaluation, interpretation and conclusion
• Coursework Portfolio– arrangement of short form written analyses of practice, skills, research, needs, case, scenario, product and/or data sources, demonstrating breadth of engagement and understanding of principles
• Presentations – selection, synthesis and communication of information for varied audience/ purpose, media (oral/poster etc), precis/concision, including both group and individual projects. These may be online or in person
• Abstract /Grant Proposal writing- shaping theses and research into coherent summaries that demonstrate aim and purpose of research, convincing and evidenced argument and integrated contextual understanding of audience and objectives
• Independent research projects/dissertations – creating/modelling science based hypotheses and research design, interrogating current practice,  literature reviews, practical analysis of planning, implementation, evaluation of results and conclusions.
• Research presentation and panel questions - communication, information, targeted, persuasive, professional interrogation of knowledge and understanding as demonstrated, capacity to take knowledge to new scenarios
• Reflective evaluation – appraisal of personal practice and experience, evaluate projects and outcomes, identify personal learning objectives

Some variation of assessment tasks will result from the optional modules selected.

Face-to-face attended sessions form typically approx 18-20 hours per week in terms one and two and there is considerable independent reading and study expected through the module delivery period and in the periods of independent research.