Programme Specifications

Biosciences

September 2023

To produce competent biological sciences graduates with a firm understanding of current concepts relating to the functional, mechanistic, developmental, and evolutionary aspects of animal behaviour, in health and disease.

Subject specific skills

To produce graduates competent to apply their theoretical knowledge of biological sciences and animal behaviour through the design, implementation, and analysis of experiments, and the critical appraisal of information from a variety of sources. The program aims to develop subject-specific skills for the academic study of animal behaviour, conservation and management of animals with an emphasis on their behaviour, or investigation of animal behaviour in a clinical setting, depending on the students’ choice of options.

Generic and graduate skills

To produce graduates able to critically assess information, form reasoned opinions, generate testable hypotheses, and collect, analyse and interpret data.

Overall aim of the scheme

To produce graduates who are able to work in the broadly defined field of animal behaviour, who can operate efficiently and safely in the field and laboratory, are able to communicate and understand behavioural data and concepts, are able to apply behaviour skills to diverse biological problems, and are able to direct their own research and learning.

Overall, the animal behaviour scheme will develop and provide:

• Opportunities for students to develop and further their interest and knowledge in the biological sciences with specialization in Animal Behaviour.

• An appreciation of the complexity and diversity of life processes through the study of organisms, their molecular, cellular and physiological processes, their genetics and evolution, and the interrelationships between them and their environment

• The ability to read and use appropriate literature with a full and critical understanding, while addressing such questions as content, context, aims, objectives, quality of information, and its interpretation and application;

• The capacity to give a clear and accurate account of a subject, marshal arguments in a mature way and engage in debate and dialogue both with specialists and non-specialists;

• Critical and analytical skills: a recognition that statements should be tested and that evidence is subject to assessment and critical evaluation;

• The ability to employ a variety of methods of study in investigating, recording and analysing material;

• The ability to think independently, set tasks and solve problems.

• The intellectual and practical skills in preparation for employment in careers related to Animal Behaviour and the wider range of disciplines open to the graduate biologist.

• The skills necessary to allow students to adapt and respond to change and engage in life-long learning

• In students an appreciation of the social responsibilities of graduates in biological sciences in general, and in animal behaviour in particular

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

• A1 An ability to critically assess patterns of animal behaviour in terms of their functional, developmental, evolutionary and mechanistic bases.

• A2 An understanding of the structure and diversity of animals across taxa, including their reproduction, development, and life histories; taxonomic classification; and evolutionary relationships.

• A3 An understanding of basic genetic principles applied to the inheritance of traits including aspects of behaviour.

• A4 An understanding of metabolic, cellular, and physiological processes as they relate to the functioning of animals, their adaptation to their environment, and their behaviour.

• A5 An understanding of the role of animal behaviour in the assessment of animal welfare and diagnosis of disease.

Learning and Teaching

Lectures; tutorials; student-led seminars; problem-based learning workshops, field and laboratory practical classes; field based practical classes; literature based research; computer-assisted learning; research leading to a dissertation.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Written examinations and coursework to include: report writing, essay writing, oral and poster presentation, presentation though contemporary electronic media (e.g. video presentations, blogs, webpages, wikis); the submission of a dissertation, problem-solving exercises.

10.2.1 Intellectual Skills

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

• B1 The ability to access and evaluate biological information from a variety of sources and to communicate the principles orally and in writing to peers and non-scientists in a clear and effective way.

• B2 The ability to construct reasoned, evidence-based arguments to support a position or view, including on the ethical and social impacts of advances in the biological sciences.

• B3 That they can plan, execute and present an independent piece of work in which qualities such as time management, problem solving, and independence are evident, as well as interpretation and critical awareness of the quality of the evidence.

• B4 A secure and accurate explanation of biological phenomena at a variety of levels of organisation, and explain the relationship of evolutionary theory to animal behaviour.

• B5 Well developed strategies for updating, maintaining and enhancing their knowledge of animal behaviour and its interaction with other biological disciplines.

Learning and Teaching

Lectures; tutorials; student-led seminars; problem-based learning workshops, laboratory practical classes; field based practical classes; literature based research; computer-assisted learning; research leading to a dissertation.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Written examinations and coursework to include: report writing, essay writing, oral and poster presentation, presentation though contemporary electronic media (e.g. video presentations, blogs, webpages, wikis); the submission of a dissertation, problem-solving exercises.

10.2.2 Professional practical skills (where applicable)

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

• C1 Experience and competence in a broad range of practical techniques and skills relevant to animal behaviour, including data collection, analysis and interpretation of data, and the designing of experiments to test hypotheses.

• C2 An ability to access bioscience databases and use appropriate selection criteria to mine, manipulate, and interpret data.

• C3 An ability to generate hypotheses and to design and undertake laboratory and field studies to test them.

• C4 Establish safe working practices in the laboratory and field.

• C5 The ability to record data accurately, and to apply relevant numerical and data handling skills including basic data manipulation, and graphical and statistical analysis.

Learning and Teaching

Group and individual work in: practicals; field studies of behaviour; supervised individual project work. Feedback from coursework assignments.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Coursework to include the submission of scientific reports, oral presentations, research posters, essays and presentation though contemporary electronic media (e.g. video presentations, blogs, webpages, wikis). Students are expected to demonstrate advanced critical, interpretative and analytical skills in both their course work and written examinations. The dissertation should demonstrate student competence in practical and academic skills.

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

• D1 The skills necessary for independent lifelong learning, e.g. the ability to work independently, time management, etc.

• D2 An adaptable, flexible and effective approach to work and study.

• D3 That they can communicate about their subject appropriately and clearly to a variety of audiences.

• D4 That they can cite and reference work in the appropriate manner, ensuring academic integrity and the avoidance of plagiarism.

• D5 That they can use the internet and other electronic resources to communicate and identify and critically evaluate sources of information.

Learning and Teaching

Elements of these skills are embedded in all modules and are taught/learned through a variety of methods including lectures; tutorials; student-led seminars; a range of problem-based learning scenarios and case studies; laboratory practicals; literature based research; field work; computer-assisted learning; research leading to a dissertation.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Unseen examination, essays and unseen short answer examinations, exercise-based and essay assignments, project work, practical laboratory reports, the dissertation project, seminar presentations, and vocationally-focused assignments (e.g. CVs and covering letters).