Science Communication Project for Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology

BIOL31270 Science Communication Project for Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology 30 Full year Undergraduate Level 3 Ruth Grady Unit coordinator School of Biological Sciences 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Last part of a Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 15.0 These projects involve communication of science using a particular mode (written, oral, online etc) to a specific audience/target group. Support is provided in a dedicated series of seminars and workshops throughout Semester 5 to help develop the appropriate skills, including those associated with the use of technology.  All SCPs require the creation of a resource such as a teaching activity/ online resource /creative piece, which is then evaluated for its impact on the target audience. These projects involve communication of science using a particular mode (written, oral, online etc) to a specific audience/target group.  All SCPs require the creation of a resource such as a teaching activity/ online resource /creative piece, which is then evaluated for its impact on the target audience. The resources are usually in one of three distinct flavours, involving the creation and evaluation of e.g.<ul><li>an online resource for educational purposes or the communication of science in more general terms. This might support the teaching (or research) activities of your supervisor in the same way that a lab project supports the research of the supervisor, but resources can also be developed for schools, the museum or general public.  Examples include virtual experiments, problem solving resources, revision aids for course units.</li><li>educational resources or activities for schools/colleges or undergraduates, events at the museum or in the wider community (general public). Examples include public engagement activities for Open Days, Museum visits, or Science Week (March); games to enhance problem-solving in a particular topic (for tutorials, medical or dental students); interactive lessons.  </li><li>a resource that may make use of creative media (eg artwork / music/ presentation posters etc) that may be targeted to a general audience, the function of which may be to entertain, inform, or inspire.  </li></ul> A recent project involved creating an original artwork comic portraying the domestication of dogs.  During the final year students will be allocated to their supervisor and will undertake project work in a topic and manner agreed by their supervisor. The projects aim to develop research skills, both bioscience and generic promote independent learning, enhance the employability of students, and enrich the student experience.Outcomes for students are that they should:<ul><li>learn to work independently or as part of a group/team as required (research group, for example) to address a particular bioscience question or topic</li><li>be able tosearch for and critcally review the literature in a particular field and relate your own research to that in the existing literature</li><li>develop critical and creative thinking skills (develop ideas, data analysis and evaluation, be able to form judgements)</li><li>gain experience in the scientific method and develop ideas, data analysis and evaluation skills, be able to form judgements)</li><li>gain experience in the scientific method develop problem solving skills; for example, how to design experiments or develop stratergies to test hypothese and/or evaluate your output</li><li>develop communication skills</li><li>write a scientific review and project report (or equivalent)</li><li>develop oral presentation, other staff and students, as appropriate</li><li>acquire additional project-specific skills as appropriate (such as various lab or IT skills)</li></ul> Projects for Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience are worth 30 credits. Students will be allocated a supervisor in the first semester of the final year. Students will be allocated a supervisor in the first semester of the final year. Students are advised to contact their allocated supervisor as soon as possible; supervisors will discuss the type of project with the student and bioscience topic on which it is based.Semester 5: There will be some supporting seminars to attend in this semester for the science communication projects.Semester 6: Project work Project work takes place within the semester weeks 1-9. Students should aim to finish project work by the Easter break to leave time to analyse results and write up the report. 0 Other 40% 3 Report 60% Final report and separate resource if appropriate (Semester 6; Supervisor and moderator)<ul><li>60% of unit mark Science Communication Output Report Type A (17 pages): Abstract (0.5 page); Introduction to the bioscience and include an introduction to science communication and aims (4 pages) ; methods (3 pages); results (4 pages) and discussion (4 pages); personal reflection (1 page) PLUS 25% of unit mark for the creative resource output</li></ul> <ul><li>15% of unit mark: Project performance (Semester 6; Supervisor only)<ul><li>Use of initiative  </li><li>Student input to planning & design of the project</li><li>Mastery of skills (if appropriate)</li><li>Organisation of work  </li><li>Communication with supervisor, team, other staff etc</li><li>Reliability, effort & persistence</li><li>Completion of Ethics Survey</li><li>Completion of the personal reflection (in the report)</li><li>Meeting deadlines/milestones; satisfactory progression check in weeks 6-7 in Semester 6 that is complementary to final output </li></ul></li></ul> Students can expect to receive formative feedback on the introduction, 1 page of methods and 1 page results prior to submission of the Semester 6 report. Supervisors can also comment on the New Scientist or ALR piece prior to submission where offered, and the resource.Feedback will only be forthcoming if dates for obtaining feedback are agreed with supervisors and are met. N Project supervision 30 0 270