BIMMSIS: Molecular Methods for Species Identification and Survey

Module code: BIMMSIS

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Hyun Soon Gweon, email: h.s.gweon@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

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: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module will provide students with molecular techniques used to identify and survey species. The module will cover the basics of molecular biology to the modern molecular techniques which are increasingly becoming an important tool for environmental monitoring and survey.

Aims:

To provide students with knowledge and practical experience of molecular methods used to identify and survey organisms through lectures and hands-on practicals including designing, collecting, processing and analysing environmental samples.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Describe and discuss the pros and cons of molecular techniques as a tool for environmental monitoring and why these are increasingly being used and researched
2. Identify differences between molecular technique from the physical sampling method
3. Recognise how and when to apply molecular techniques for environmental monitoring
4. Design and carry out a survey based on molecular techniques
5. Gain first-hand experience of molecular based environmental survey

Module content

The module will cover molecular techniques used in environmental survey and monitoring. Students will learn the most current practice from experts and the reasoning behind why molecular techniques are increasingly used from commercial, regulatory and research perspectives. First-hand experience of molecular techniques from sampling to lab work will also be a major component of the module. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will consist of a series of seminars, practical exercised composed of field sampling through to lab work. Teaching will be delivered by ecological consultants and active researchers in the field. 

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 50% 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.

Reassessment

Additional costs