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for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
| Unit name |
Science and Society |
| Unit code |
BIOCM0016 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
M/7
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
|
| Unit director |
Dr. Curnow |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
Advanced Cell Biology BIOC30601 The Dynamic Proteome BIOC30604 Cellular Information BIOC30602 Advanced Options in Biochemistry BIOC30600, Research and Communication Skills BIOC3NEW5, Research Training BIOC3NEW6
|
| Co-requisites |
All Year 4 units within the MSci
|
| School/department |
School of Biochemistry |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Life Sciences |
Description including Unit Aims
This unit will provide students with an understanding of how science in general, and biochemistry in particular, affects the society we live in. The funding and regulatory framework within which research in the UK and abroad takes place will be explored and the importance of effective communication with a range of stakeholders including experts and the general public will be discussed. The ethical conduct of scientists and the sustainability of research will also be examined.
Students will:
- Appreciate the impact of biochemistry on society in the UK and abroad
- Gain an understanding of how biochemical research is supported by public and private funding
- Understand the relevance of biochemistry to UK industry, and the importance of impact and science policy.
- Debate topical ethical and sustainability issues in biochemistry.
- Gain skills that will enable them to communicate science to a broad variety of audiences
Intended Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Research a topic using the primary scientific literature
- Review and critique the scientific data and literature and appraise competing theories
- Achieve an in-depth knowledge and understanding of their research topic and an ability to keep abreast with recent developments in the field.
- Work independently on their research project and manage their time
- Analyse and interpret biochemical data
- Solve unseen problems
- Write a scientific report for an expert audience
Teaching Information
Supervisor/student meetings
Data analysis workshops
Literature comprehension workshops
Tutorials
Lectures
Assessment Information
For learning (formative)
- Student-led debates and discussions covering ethical issues and/or the contribution biochemists or research methods have made to society
Of learning
- 2 separate pieces of coursework providing information on a single complex area of biochemistry
- 2 separate pieces of coursework to generate the following based on information provided in a mock grant application
Reading and References
Reviews and articles from the primary scientific Literature
