AD1BSP: Bioveterinary Science in Practice 1

Module code: AD1BSP

Module provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Caroline Rymer, email: c.rymer@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Kirsty Kliem, email: k.e.kliem@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): This module is only available to BSc Bioveterinary Sciences/with Placement Year/with Foundation students. (Open)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 20 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

In this module, you will: (1) meet, through field trips or guest speakers, people practising bioveterinary science to develop an understanding of the scope of bioveterinary science and the industries/organisations in which it is practiced, (2) be introduced to bioveterinary sciences research and develop research, data and statistical skills, including data handling, computing and interpretation through undertaking small research projects, and (3) develop skills in verbal and written communication. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Describe and reflect on the functions, facilities, services, outputs and job roles in selected organisations operating in the bioveterinary sciences field  
2. Evaluate and report data from a small scale animal-based observational project  
3. Collect, analyse, interpret and present data from a small research project  

Module content

Students will be introduced to two small-scale applied projects, and will plan how to collect and then analyse the data. Planning observational studies and a research project will require the class to work together as a team or teams.  

Students will be introduced to and receive formal guidance in the development of data handling, statistical analysis and computing skills, and be given an insight into the management of a research project. From these data students will prepare a report (in Semester 1) and a poster presentation for a small workshop (Semester 2).  

Students will also go on visits to or receive talks by outside organisations where bioveterinary science is in practice, enabling them to meet staff, ask questions and gain insight into the industry they are preparing to work in.  

The focus is on bioveterinary sciences practiced in UK, but these challenges can be transferred to other countries and the underlying skills being developed have global application.  

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

A combination of lectures, seminars, supervised practical sessions and field trips will form the basis of the teaching in this module.

Study hours

At least 50 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

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

Reassessment

Additional costs