Description
Professional Development Experience
| Module title | Professional Development Experience |
|---|---|
| Module code | LES3910 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 5 |
| Module staff | Dr Kelly Moyes (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 40 hours in any given year | 40 hours in any given year | 40 hours in any given year |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 60 |
|---|
Description - summary of the module content
Module description
The Professional Development Experience module provides promising first, second and final year biosciences students (undergraduate and MSc) with the opportunity to become involved in cutting-edge research in close collaboration with a member of staff in an area of interest. Over the course of the internship, you will take responsibility for one or more aspects of a research project. The tasks that you work on vary from project to project, but may include laboratory research, field research data entry and general research administration. As you gain experience you may have the opportunity to progress to more advanced tasks such as data collection, data analysis, literature searches, and so on. This module is especially recommended if you are considering a career in research. Acceptance into this module is competitive and you are expected to demonstrate a strong enthusiasm for the area of research. This module does not contribute towards degree progression or award.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aim of the module is to improve your research skills (such as design, data collection, data processing or project management), your knowledge of a cutting-edge area of research and your employability (by giving you a clearer sense of the nature of a career in research; the development of skills and knowledge relevant to a career in research and evidence of these achievements).
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Design / conduct at an advanced level an empirical study and/or analyse / interpret findings in line with your project responsibilities
- 2. Describe theories, research and experimental techniques in the area of your project
- 3. Consider how your specific project is associated with a career in research and illustrate the pathway to pursuing this career
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Acquire a critical understanding of knowledge at the forefront of an area of the discipline
- 5. Think critically about the limits of knowledge and methodologies for obtaining this knowledge
- 6. Evaluate critically and analyse empirical evidence
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Take responsibility for an important part of a research project and demonstrate professionalism in your delivery on your tasks
- 8. Act autonomously with minimal supervision or direction, within agreed guidelines
- 9. Manage time effectively to meet deadlines
Syllabus plan
Syllabus plan
The module follows an apprenticeship model of research training. You will find a staff member who is willing to offer an internship within your area of interest. The supervisor will ensure that any necessary training is delivered in a timely fashion. Supervisors will meet regularly with you throughout the internship to ensure that you are adequately supported and that you have the opportunity to gain valuable skills and experiences. Supervisors will schedule a review session that will coincide with the midway point of the internship to discuss the progress of the internship.
Learning and teaching
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | 5 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 45 | Internship activities |
| Guided Independent Study | 5 | Internship diary |
Assessment
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervisor discussion | Variable | 2-9 | Oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 0 | 50 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reflective log | 50 | Answers to 4 questions (max 200 words each) | 1-6 | Written |
| Internship participation | 50 | Competent completion of internship tasks | 7-9 | Written |
Re-assessment
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflective log | Reflective log | 1-6 | August ref/def |
| Internship participation | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. Where you have been deferred in the internship participation you will have the opportunity to attend in the subsequent academic year. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further reflective log. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will count for 100% of the final mark and will be capped at 40%.
Resources
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
The Career Zone: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/
LES3910 ELE page: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3686
CVs and Making Applications
- CV Creator – www.ex.ac.uk/employability/cvcreator
- International and academic CVs: www.prospects.ac.uk;
click on ‘Jobs and Work’ then ‘Applications and Interviews’ – useful power word list
- www.selectsimulator.com– practice online application form
- www.futuremorph.org– very useful Science Council careers site
Interviews
- www.prospects.ac.uk– interview tips under the ‘Jobs and Work’ section
- www.bemyinterviewer.co.uk - online advice for answering hard questions
Work Experience
- www.futuremorph.org - Setting aims and goals
Teaching
Module has an active ELE page
| Credit value | 5 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 2.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 13/07/2015 |
| Last revision date | 06/07/2017 |