NAT-10001 - Science & Society
Coordinator: Adam Moolna Tel: +44 1782 7 34115
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733615

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2020/21

"Science & Society" is a module that is bespoke to the Natural Sciences degree programmes. In exploring the scope and breadth of the natural sciences and the key figures associated with the most significant advances you will reflect on the benefits and distinctive perspectives associated with interdisciplinary science. Participation in the Grand Challenges talks and discussion with students on the Liberal Arts degree programme will showcase some of the problems facing society, their wider implications and the range of potential solutions. Within this module you will also develop information literacy, oral presentation and scientific writing skills, and problem-solving skills that are central to longer-term success within the programmes.

Aims
This module will provide an introduction to the Natural Sciences and to the interdisciplinary approaches and perspectives associated with the combination of different academic disciplines within the Natural Sciences and beyond. The module will consider the historical development of the Natural Science subjects and the key discoveries that have led to major scientific advances. Students will be encouraged to explore the nature and significance of the interdisciplinary boundaries associated with their chosen combinations and will be encouraged to consider the societal relevance through participation in the ¿Grand Challenges¿ lecture programme and follow-up learning set sessions held jointly with Liberal Arts students. Students will also be introduced to key information literacy and scientific writing skills that underpin the programme.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Explain the benefits of an interdisciplinary approach to science and exemplify this with specific reference to their chosen subject combination: 1,2
Locate, evaluate and make effective use of a wide range of university-level information sources: 1,2
Communicate clearly and effectively using appropriate scientific language and conventions associated with the Natural Sciences: 1,2
Identify, discuss and reflect upon the role Natural Scientists can play in the resolution of the major challenges facing society: 1,2

Study hours

Lectures 6 hours
Workshops 9 hours
Student conference session 2 hours
Grand Challenges talks 6 hours
Learning sets 6 hours
Guided independent study 121

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Reflective Diary weighted 50%
Reflective blog postings equivalent up to a 2500 word limit
Students will write reflective diary entries on a subset of the grand challenges lectures found of most interest. These will written and submitted in the form of a blog and will be discussed as part of the learning set sessions held jointly with Liberal Arts students.

2: Report weighted 50%
1500 word report forming the culmination of a problem-based learning exercise
Individual report based on a problem-based learning exercise relating to an interdisciplinary question relevant to the student's chosen core subject combination.