The Art of Science

Module title	The Art of Science
Module code	LESM006
Academic year	2023/4
Credits	15
Module staff	Professor Andy Russell (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	4	4

Number students taking module (anticipated)	100

Description - summary of the module content

Module description

The abilities to extract information from the environment and to communicate with conspecifics are probably ubiquitous features of animal life, which have been under selection for at least 500 million years. Humans, through the emergence of language coupled with the formulation of the scientific method have simply linked these fundamental capacities to extract and communicate information to an extreme. The ability to do each successfully in combination is now central to a successful degree and future career in Science, Consultancy and related Industry. This module aims to help you achieve your current and future goals by providing training in key areas - from question inception and formulation, through data collection and analysis, to communication using the myriad forms available; it will finish with communication through CV, cover letters and interview techniques. The teaching style will combine real-life examples coupled with extensive discussion to foster the self-reflection necessary to becoming a confident and independent scientist in the modern world.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The overall aim of this module is to provide you with a set of key skills that will help you succeed in your MSc degree and future careers. To these ends, you will receive comprehensive training in such aspects as:

The scientific method and the acquisition of knowledge
How to ask a BIG question, and the importance of rationale - not all questions are the same.
The difference among, and importance of, your question, hypothesis and predictions.
Methods of data collection, and the role of sampling, sample sizes and statistics
The origin and function of communication
The forms of communication: know the differences from texts and tweets to posters and prose
How to succeed with science communication: posters, papers, projects, talks
How to progress: grant writing, CV, cover letter and interview techniques

The training provided will be example-led and discussion-based, with ample opportunity for direct learning through observation of others (social) and personal (trial and error) learning. A key aim will be to foster self-reflection and confidence.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. Know the importance of knowledge, and a big question
2. Know the difference between question, hypothesis and prediction, and understand the benefits of each
3. Tailor your methods of data collection to your question
4. Understand the importance of sampling, sample sizes and statistics, and decide on each
5. Understand the form and function of communication
6. Communicate through prose, poster and orally
7. Communicate to progress: from thinking before you tweet, through writing emails, cover letters and CVs to interview techniques
8. Be self-reflective

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

9. Assess critically the presentation of your own and others research

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

10. Study autonomously and undertake projects with minimum guidance
11. Select and properly manage information drawn from books, journals, and the internet
12. Interact effectively in a group
13. Critique and edit the work of others

Syllabus plan

The module will typically include:

Lecture on the origin and purpose of knowledge and the scientific method
Lecture/Discussion on asking BIG questions: rationale versus the intrigue of humanity
Lecture/Discussion on questions, hypotheses and predictions
Lecture/Discussion on methods of data collection and sampling
Lecture/Discussion on sample sizes and statistics
Discussion/Recap on the Scientific Method
Lecture on the origin, form and function of communication
Lecture/Discussion on distilling your points
Lecture/Discussion on how to give a poster
Formative feedback session on posters
Lecture/Discussion on how to give a talk
Lecture/Discussion on writing a report and paper
Lecture/Discussion on writing a grant: integrating everything you have learned so far
Lecture/Discussion on press releases and social media
Lecture/Discussion on selling yourself: cover letters, CV and interview skills
Role play: performing a live application and interview
Discussion/Recap on Communication

The module will include a mixture of lectures, discussion sessions and role play. It is anticipated that this varied teaching approach will maximise the learning experience of the topics covered.

Learning and teaching

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
17	133	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	17	Lectures, discussion and role play covering topics of the scientific method and communication
Guided independent study	133	Additional research, reading and preparation for module assignments

Assessment

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Short answer questions during lectures	Ongoing throughout the module	All	Oral
Discussion during classes	Ongoing throughout the module	All	Oral
Scientific poster	A3 poster	All	Oral

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
50	0	50

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Presentation of research project proposal	50	10 minutes	All	Written
Writing a paper	50	Biology Letters template	All	Written

Re-assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Presentation of research project proposal	Presentation of research project proposal	All	During an appropriate specified time period before the end of July
Writing a paper	Writing a paper	All	During an appropriate specified time period before the end of July

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to redo the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will count for 100% of the final mark and will be capped at 50%.

Resources

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Cristina Stuart Speak for Yourself: How to Give Persuasive Presentations and Entertaining Talks – With Confidence 2005
Robert Barass Scientists Must Write: A Guide to Better Writing for Scientists, Engineers and Students (Routledge Study Guides) 2002
Ruxton, G.D. and Colegrave, N. (2006) Experimental Design for the Life Sciences. OUP. ISBN 01992 5232
Cresswell, J. (2003) Research Design: qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods, Sage.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

ELE page: https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=9288

Module has an active ELE page

Key words search

Key skills, scientific method, experimental design, sampling, statistics, research project, communication, employability

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	7
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	20/06/2018
Last revision date	21/08/2020