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: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Caroline Rymer
Email: c.rymer@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Working as part of a team, you are to plan and undertake a research project. You will learn new experimental techniques, and analyse the data from the project before reporting your finings in the form of presentations, a poster, a project report and a lay summary.  You will have the opportunity to reflect on your findings in an individual viva. 

Aims:

The aim of this module is 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. (20 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

Additional outcomes:

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

• Working with other people


• Time management and organisation 


• Effective communication

Outline content:

In small student teams, the module is designed to give the students some practical research skills 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. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

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. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT CONTACT HOURS BELOW ARE INDICATIVE ONLY.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	5
Seminars	5	5
Tutorials	5	5
Project Supervision	5	10
Guided independent study:	80	80
Total hours by term	100	100	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Report	45
Oral assessment and presentation	55

Summative assessment- Examinations:

N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

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 and individuals will submit a lay summary of the project. 

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.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres 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 (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:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 30 July 2021