AP1A26-Animal Science In Practice 1

Module Provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Pre-requisites: For BSc Animal Science students only (3 & 4 year programmes)
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Dr Caroline Rymer

Email: c.rymer@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module has four aims. (1) To enable students to develop an understanding of the scope of animal science (2), to enhance skills in verbal and written communication, and (3) to introduce students to animal science research and develop numeracy and statistical skills, including data handling, computing and interpretation (4) To introduce and develop essential career planning skills.

Aims:

The module, for BSc Animal Science students only, has four aims. (1) To enable students to develop an understanding of the scope of animal science (2), to enhance skills in verbal and written communication, and (3) to introduce students to animal science research and develop numeracy and statistical skills, including data handling, computing and interpretation. (4) To introduce and develop essential career planning skills.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:



• Describe and reflect on the functions, facilities, services and/or outputs of sectors in the animal science field



• Collect, store and manipulate data from small scale research projects



• Carry out simple statistical analysis 



• Interpret and present research findings

Additional outcomes:

In addition to the major outcomes assessed above, students will:

•Understand some key concepts associated with designing an animal science research project.

•Work as part of a team to undertake small research projects.

•Gain an insight into management of research projects

•Find and retrieve information from library and web sources

•Gain experience of producing and delivering a poster presentation and producing a technical report

• Develop career planning, CV and cover letter writing skills in preparation for applying for a mini work placement (credited in Part 2 in AP2A68) and other work experience students may plan to apply for during their degree.

Outline content:

The module includes two contrasting research projects which will require the class to work together in research teams. It involves hands-on experience of behavioural studies, chemical analysis of samples, and analysis of data. Students will receive formal guidance in the development of data handling, statistical analysis and computing.

The module also includes external visits to businesses or organisations where animal science is in practice.



The series of animal science in practice sessions is intended to cover:



•The scope of the field of animal science including examples of animal science in practice, through external visits

•Written communication

•Finding and retrieving information

•Basic principles of experimental design

•Selected laboratory analyses

•Behavioural studies

•Introduction to data analysis and interpretation

The career planning sessions cover:

• Career action planning and preparing to obtain work experience


• CVs and cover letter writing

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Students will act as Assistant Scientists in the research company Animal Science in Practice Research Enterprises (ASPiRE). Students will be involved in two elements of ongoing research projects that we are involved in. From the data that students collect and analyse, students will prepare a report for ASPiRE and a poster presentation for a small workshop in the spring term. This will use the skills in data analysis learnt in the autumn and spring terms, and give an insight into the management of a research project. 



Students will also attend a series of visits to different organisations or businesses where animal science is in practice.

Students will also attend a series of short seminars on career planning in Spring Term.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	2
Seminars	6	11
Practicals classes and workshops	6	9
External visits	6	10
Guided independent study:	80	70
Total hours by term	100	100	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	30
Report	40
Project output other than dissertation	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The assessments will include:

Individual report on a laboratory based study . 

Reflective assignments relating to the external visits.

A team poster presentation on an animal study. 

Formative assessment methods:

There will be timetabled sessions when the preparation of the team poster and individual report will be discussed, and when feedback on draft posters and reports will be given.

There will be a timetabled session in which students can discuss and obtain feedback on their CVs.

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

By resubmission of coursework

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:

2) Specialist equipment or materials:

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: Students require appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear including wellington boots or sturdy shoes/walking boots, waterproof coat, etc.  They will be required to change into clean, indoor shoes when getting back on a coach after an external visit

4) Printing and binding:

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  

Last updated: 25 June 2019