BS257-5-AU-CO:
Professional Skills for Ecological and Marine Scientists
2020/21
Life Sciences (School of)
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Thursday 08 October 2020
Friday 02 July 2021
15
06 October 2020
Requisites for this module
BS112
(none)
(none)
(none)
BS352, BS832
BSC C100 Biological Sciences,
BSC C101 Biological Sciences (Including Year Abroad),
BSC C102 Biological Sciences (Including Placement Year),
BSC CD00 Biological Sciences (Including Foundation Year),
BSC C161 Marine Biology (Including Foundation Year),
BSC C164 Marine Biology,
BSC CC60 Marine Biology (Including Year Abroad),
BSC CC64 Marine Biology (Including Placement Year)
Gaining fundamental academic knowledge is a major goal for the individual modules of your degree; however, in order to apply this knowledge into your future career path requires that students effectively communicate this knowledge and importantly identify the "transferable skills" to maximise employability.
A series of classes will introduce and apply data analysis and interpretation techniques (focussing on DAI and report writing skills utilising large data sets collected during the respective field courses, BS213/BS215), but also engagement into contemporary environmental issues relevant to your degrees (which will be delivered through student led learning discussion sessions). Students will also focus on identifying specific career options and the skills, qualities and aptitudes required, planning a career path, understanding the job application process and developing CV and cover letter writing skills.
This module aims to develop and nurture a number of key transferable skills such as communication, team working, numeracy and attention to detail.
To pass this module students will need to be able to:
1. Demonstrate competence in career planning and job application skills, including CV and cover letter writing
2. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the literature in a field relevant to a specific career path.
3. Demonstrate engagement with the career planning process.
4. Develop a career action plan and identify personal development needs.
5. Develop key skills in reading and evaluating scientific papers, information retrieval, SPF writing and independent learning.
6. Demonstrate competence in oral and written communication and data analysis and interpretation, along with experience working in different roles within a team.
No additional information available.
Divided into three parts that each address core elements of the module:
Part A: Data Analysis & Interpretation - Classes of 1 x 1h module introduction and 5 x 2h statistics and SPF workshops (Autumn term)
Part B: Employability Skills - Classes of 1 x 2h session and 1 x 1h feedback session as well as 1 x 3h session (Autumn term).
Part C: Issues in Environmental Sciences - Classes of 3 x 3h sessions (Spring term)
- Stephen B. Heard. (2016) The scientist's guide to writing.
- Catalano, Allison S.; Lyons-White, Joss; Mills, Morena M.; Knight, Andrew T. (2019-10) 'Learning from published project failures in conservation', in Biological Conservation. vol. 238, pp.108223-
- Reed, Mark S. (2008-10) 'Stakeholder participation for environmental management: A literature review', in Biological Conservation. vol. 141 (10) , pp.2417-2431
- Mace, G. M. (2014-09-26) 'Whose conservation?', in Science. vol. 345 (6204) , pp.1558-1560
- The Essex CV pack, https://www1.essex.ac.uk/careers/essexcv/
- Dytham, Calvin. (2011) Choosing and using statistics: a biologist's guide, Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course. The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students. Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Reflective Statement on CV & Letter |
|
15% |
| Coursework |
Scientific Methods and Results |
|
35% |
| Coursework |
Career Action Plan |
|
15% |
| Practical |
Presentation - Files |
|
35% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Thomas Cameron, email: tcameron@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Natalie Hicks (Employability), Dr Eoin O'Gorman, Dr Nick Aldred, Employability and Careers Centre, plus Tutors
School Undergraduate Office, email: bsugoffice (Non essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create the full email address)
No
No
No
Prof Anne Borland
Newcastle University
Professor
Available via Moodle
Of 3560 hours, 2 (0.1%) hours available to students:
3558 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
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