AP0306 - Scientific and Numeracy Skills

You will learn through lectures in which the key concepts will be discussed, with examples and demonstrations of software, and through workshops during which you will apply the key concepts to a variety of activities, eg. calculations, problem solving, design and evaluation of written materials. You will also be expected to engage in directed learning, using electronic resources produced or recommended by the module tutor, such as Panopto videos, YouTube videos and online quizzes with feedback, so that you can learn at your own pace and build confidence in your ability to transfer these skills to tasks for other modules and further studies.

All lecture material will be available on the University eLearning Portal, supplemented with guidance on further reading relevant to the subject matter and links to other online resources. Electronic formative assessment with immediate score and feedback via the eLP and the supporting online resources, eg Panopto videos and help sheets, will represent important learning tools, to allow you to progress at your own pace and have guidance available all the time. Electronic feedback on summative assessments will be provided via the eLP to allow you to understand how you performed and how you can build on this performance in subsequent assessments in this module and across the programme.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Quantitative methods associated with experimental work in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, biomedical science, food science and nutrition, sport science and forensic science;
2. The purpose and structure of different types of scientific communication;
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Transferrable numeracy and scientific communication skills;
4. Using Microsoft Excel for calculations, statistics and data presentation;
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Confidence in your abilities as a scientist.

CW1: Numeracy Skills Assessment – online test comprising of problem solving requiring calculations (50% of module mark; KU1, IPSA3-4; PVA5)

CW2: Scientific Communication Skills Assessment – online test comprising of a variety of tasks to test ability to retrieve, use and cite correctly scientific sources and ability to present information in different formats (50% of module mark; KU2, IPSA 3-4, PVA5).

Both components of assessment will be supported by formative online tests with immediate score and feedback. MLOs KU2, IPSA 3, IPSA 4 and PVA5.

N/A

AP0307, AP0308 and AP0309

On completion of this module you will be able to demonstrate a range of numeracy skills that are essential for high standard performance in science subjects that involve practical laboratory and field work and require the production of informative scientific reports. These include calculations applied to solving problems in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, biomedical science, food science and nutrition, forensic science and sport science, as well as simple basic descriptive and hypothesis testing statistics. In addition you will have learned how to present scientific information in a variety of formats and how to use and reference appropriately scientific publications.
These skills will be invaluable for completing assessments for the other modules that are part of your foundation degree and for any progression degree you choose to follow at level 4.