Overview

This module focuses on developing essential academic skills for academic and professional success. With weekly activities and discussions, students explore topics such as academic integrity, literature searching, effective communication, critical thinking, basic statistics, data presentation, and career planning. Overall, this module establishes a solid foundation for high employability and success at the university.

Assessments are designed to build and evaluate students' understanding and application of the key academic skills introduced throughout the module.

A series of lectures and workshops will be delivered by module staff and invited speakers on areas relevant to core skills.

Assessment Strategy

EXCELLENT - Category A (70%-100%): An excellent student will demonstrate a wider understanding of the implications of the question beyond the obvious, a good grasp of the latest developments in the subject area, and develop critical thinking skills. Communication will be fluent and articulate, with an ability to engage the audience. References/sources will be highly appropriate, scientific, well evaluated and extensively researched. The student will also be able to demonstrate an ability to reflect, analyse and discuss their personal and academic strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. Evidence of in-depth critical thinking and wider reading is important for grades of A+ and above.

GOOD - Category B (60%-69%): A good student will produce a well-structured cogent argument demonstrating a good understanding of the information requested and knowledge of the subject matter. Communication will be coherent and matched to the intended audience. References/sources will be appropriate, scientific and evaluated well. The student should demonstrate an ability to reflect, analyse and discuss their personal and academic strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities.

ANOTHER LEVEL - Category C (50%-59%): A student achieving C level grades will demonstrate a reasonable understanding of the information requested and some knowledge of the subject matter though with some lapses in detail and accuracy of ideas. A reasonable attempt to communicate ideas will be made, with some evidence of consideration of the intended audience. References/sources will be appropriate though may be limited. The student should demonstrate basic abilities to reflect, analyse and discuss their personal and academic strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities.

THRESHOLD Category D (40%-49%): A threshold student will demonstrate a basic ability to answer questions with relevant information, with some organisation of thoughts and understanding of the subject matter. Communication may have some misunderstandings evident but will show a basic understanding of the principles. References will be used but may be limited or may rely on less appropriate sources. The student struggles to relate personal and academic strengths to a wider context.

Learning Outcomes

• Apply figures, tables and graphical techniques to describe scientific concepts/results.

• Critique and provide feedback on your/other's work

• Demonstrate an ability to write a scientific essay, including accurate referencing

• Demonstrate the ability to effectively research the relevant literature, to understand the structure of scientific publications and to reference materials correctly.

• Demonstrate your ability to work with others.

• Develop skills relating to time management, prioritisation of work, and managing deadlines.