Life Sciences

Skills, Ethics and Society

Module code: C7161
Level 4
15 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Seminar, Lecture, Online workshop
Assessment modes: Coursework

This module introduces you to the skills that underpin science, and the research as it is understood by scientists.

In addition to literary and numerical skills, you will learn about the motivation for research, how we conceive and conduct experiments, and set science in a wider social context.

You will look at research ethics, the ethical principles and laws that govern animal and human experimentation, and the social questions raised by contemporary science.

Module learning outcomes

• Interpret and explain a primary research paper in Life Sciences, especially the main research objectives, outcomes and how the conclusions are justified by the evidence.
• Communicate an appreciation of the ethical principles underpinning science and its social dimensions.
• Interpret and explain quantitative data, especially the graphical presentation, and perform basic calculations relevant to life sciences, applying appropriate units.
• Explain scientific concepts in writing, with a structured narrative, use of graphics, and including information derived from citation databases and online resources, and using a conventional referencing system to build a bibliography