This course highlights current research priorities within Life and Medical Sciences, as identified by recent public funding calls. The course is designed to support the development of key graduate attributes in an online environment within a scientific context. The course is delivered and assessed in an entirely online format via the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and Microsoft Teams.

This course is delivered entirely online via the VLE.

The course will include approximately 2 to 3 hours of recorded lecture content per week, approximately 2 to 3 hours of directed learning activities per week and 1 hour of compulsory online webinar discussions each fortnight.

The directed learning activities for each scientific theme in the course will be available and must be completed within a specific 2-week block.

There will also be a scheduled 'reading week'. 

BIOL1001 Biology 1A

The assessment will be dispersed throughout the course and comprises 2 written assessments, a group project and 2 Moodle-based assessment types:

■ 1x written assessment (20%)

■ 2x Moodle quizzes (10% each = 20%)

■ 2x Student-reviewed assessments (7.5% each = 15%)

■ 1x Group project poster (15%) with individual reflective exercise (10%)

■ 2x Problem solving exercise (1x 5%, 1x15% = 20%)

The aims of the course are to enable students to:

■ develop an understanding of current priorities in Life Sciences research;

■ develop research-led enquiry skills;

■ raise awareness of ethical issues in the chosen topics;

■ develop critical thinking skills as well as becoming resourceful, responsible and reflective learners.

■ develop data analysis skills

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

■ Discuss current priorities in Life Sciences research;

■ Describe and explain complex ideas in Life Sciences;

■ Identify and evaluate scientific publications;

■ Evaluate ethical considerations on current scientific topics.