Core skills, also known as transferable skills, are as important as any science-specific knowledge for a successful study and career. In almost every profession you need to be able to read and analyse literature, write reports, give oral presentations in a clear effective manner, and work independently and as a part of a team. This module exposes students to different research areas in Biosciences through the “Meet a researcher” learning activity and develop further their core skills. Students in groups visit the famous Francis Crick Institute, the largest biomedical discovery center in Europe, and meet one of the scientists working there to learn about their research area and get a better understanding of how biological research works. Students will read and analyse a research paper and practice their research and public speaking skills by giving a group presentation in front of their peers, scientists and the tutor.  Students will also participate in a scientific debate.

Invited scientists from the Division of Biosciences will talk about their research and career path. In addition, students will be offered lectures on core skills and a session on how to choose a degree pathway for their subsequent year of study and on study abroad.

To complete the module, students need to attend all sessions and complete two module tasks: a group presentation and a summary report in the style of a scientific abstract.

         Lecture list

Time management at university
	Peer-review in science and why publishing research papers is important in science. Understanding the structure of a research paper and writing a scientific abstract.
	How to give an effective scientific presentation and designing a scientific poster.
	Various lectures on current topics in research (cancer, genetics, developmental biology, biodiversity, ageing and so on)
	How to choose a degree pathway and study abroad
Module aims and objectives:

A better understanding of how biological research is conducted and works.
	Learning about a specific area of biosciences research: research questions, methods and findings,
	Understanding the structure of a scientific research paper and how to read and analyse it.
	Learning how to present a research paper and experience of working in a group to prepare and present a group presentation
	Understanding how to write a scientific abstract and how to design a scientific poster
	Learning how to choose modules and a degree pathway for year 2
	Learning about study abroad