AP2A63-Animal Science in Practice 2

Module Provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Students need to be enrolled on the BSc Animal Science or BSc Animal Science with Industrial Training programme
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:

There are two parts to this module. 75% of the module comprises a short series of lectures followed by a student project. In the lectures, students will learn the process of planning and delivering a successful research project. In the project, teams of students will plan and deliver a project, reporting its findings in the form of a class presentation, a poster at a workshop and as a project report. Its findings will also be discussed in individual vivas. The other component of the module is Career Planning, in which students plan systematically for their future careers. There is no examination associated with this module.

Aims:

The module has two main aims:

(1)To provide students with the opportunity to develop research skills and apply knowledge and skills developed in their programme by taking part in a team research project relating to animal science. (15 credits)

(2)To provide students with the opportunity to explore, develop and progress their own personal career plan.  This takes place late in the Spring Term of Part 1 and the Autumn Term of Part 2. This module component aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop self-awareness in the context of career decision making, knowledge of the career opportunities that are available to them, and the skills to make effective applications (5 credits). 

Assessable learning outcomes:

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

• Produce a plan and undertake a research project


• Analyse and interpret data


• Report research findings in a variety of formats


• Identify, assess and articulate their skills, interests, values and personality traits in the context of career decision making.


• Develop careers information retrieval, research and decision making skills, using a variety of sources. •Recognise and be able to write an effective application (a CV and covering letter) and networking skills informed by their understanding of the recruitment and selection processes.


• Reflect on their personal career planning journey

Additional outcomes:

The module also aims to encourage the development of the following skills:

• Working with other people


• •ime management and organisation


• Effective communication


• Business awareness through understanding broad trends in the graduate labour market and the personal attributes and achievements that employers require


• IT and information handling skills by using the Internet


• Personal Development Planning (PDP) abilities through the reflective exercises and forward-looking nature of career planning 

Outline content:

(1)Team project: In small student teams, the module is designed to give the students some practical research skills in the laboratory and/or field which may help in their final year projects as well as gaining experience which may be applicable to employment or further study. The assessment part of the module will help students to develop skills of formulating and testing a research hypothesis, analysing data, communicating results and writing scientific reports.

(2)Career planning sessions: This module component includes three elements that relate to the stages in effective career planning; self-awareness, opportunity awareness and decision making, and transition skills (building relevant skills and experience and preparing effective applications). 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

(1) Team project: Students will be placed in small teams and assigned a research project to carry out. Teams will receive guidance from an appointed supervisor prior to starting and will be in regular contact during the project. Students should attend timetabled sessions to support their research project during the autumn and spring terms of Part 2.

(2) Career planning sessions: The elements of effective career planning are introduced in lecture sessions supplemented by practical exercises and self directed learning. In addition, students are required to attend a minimum of four events, workshops or appointments delivered by the Careers service.

PLEASE NOTE THAT CONTACT HOURS BELOW ARE INDICATIVE ONLY.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10
Seminars	5	5
Tutorials	5	5
Project Supervision	10	10
Guided independent study:	70	80
Total hours by term	100	100
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Report	25
Portfolio	25
Oral assessment and presentation	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

(1) Team project: A presentation on the objectives and methodology of the research project will be given to the class in the second half of the Autumn Term. The results of the project will be summarised in a poster presented in a workshop in the Spring Term, and the project will be reported in a formal report submitted at the end of the Spring Term. Individual vivas, to discuss the research project, will be held at the end of the Spring Term. 



(2) Career planning portfolio including career action plan, CV, LinkedIn profile and reflective exercises (25% of module mark)..

Formative assessment methods:

There will be supervisory support throughout the research project to assist in the design and conduct of the research, and in the statistical analysis of the data obtained.  Feedback on draft versions of the presentation, poster and report will also be available.

Drop in sessions will be available for career planning assessment support and it is expected students will make use of the support offered by the Careers Service (e.g. through one-to-one consultations).

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 submission of a piece of coursework.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 13 May 2019