BY263 – Assessment Information
There are two assessed components for this 20-credit module:
- Laboratory Report (30% of total marks awarded)
- Exam (70% of total marks awarded)
The laboratory report relates to a single, three-hour laboratory class timetabled during semester 2 (typically midway through the module). The report comprises three elements:
- Results obtained from class
- Short Answer Questions relating to the laboratory activity
- Written scientific abstract
Elements (1) and (2) will be completed during the laboratory session. Element (3) will be due for submission via TurnItIn two weeks after the final timetabled laboratory session. The provisional marks (until ratified by an Examination Board) will be released within 20 working days from the submission date and written, electronic feedback will be available via TurnItIn.
The exam is a two-hour paper that takes place during the end of academic year exam period. The exam will comprise MCQs (50% of exam marks) and SAQs (50% of exam marks). Written feedback on exam papers will be available for students to see and discuss during July. The specific date will be broadcast via a Student Central Announcement three weeks prior to the date.
The laboratory report relates to the learning outcome 4, specified in the module descriptor: On successful completion of the module, the student will be able to apply and evaluate molecular biology investigations.
The exam relates to learning outcomes 1-3, specified in the module descriptor: On successful completion of the module, the student will be able to
LO 1 – Demonstrate a critical understanding of the molecular genetic basis of organism phenotypes with an appreciation of the role omics plays in this understanding.
LO2 – Discuss the molecular causes of disease phenotypes, including cell death, and understand how they can be detected.
LO3 – Critically understand the mechanisms of cell cycles and signalling.
General Grading Criteria for Laboratory Report
Specific guidance for what is expected is given in the “Practical Handbook”. A general overview is provided below.
- Results obtained from class.
These will generally comprise instrument readings (eg, spectrophotometer) and will in themselves not be awarded a mark. They are, however, essential for the completion of the SAQs and the scientific abstract.
- Short Answer Questions relating to the laboratory activity
SAQs will be found at the end of the laboratory class “Practical Handbook”. Typically, several SAQs will be presented with a range of available marks. For example, some SAQs will be awarded 1 mark, whereas others may carry 10 marks. It is important to recognize that the magnitude of the mark offered is indicative of what is expected in the answer. Typically, 1 mark requires a single sentence making a single point of fact in response to the question. When more marks are available, the answer will typically require a combination of points of fact and supporting justification/working for your answer. The question should indicate this. Generally:
1 mark available: awarded if correct argument given.
2 marks available: full marks awarded if two correct arguments given; half marks if only one correct argument given. And so on.
For more detailed SAQs:
100% of marks awarded: correct argument is strong and clear. Additional details to support definition or concept provided. Clear and unambiguous sentence structure.
75% of marks awarded: Some details of the argument given and generally correct. Some additional details provided that show understanding of concept. Generally acceptable vocabulary used that relates to question. A few spelling/grammatical errors, but do not affect meaning.
50% of marks awarded: Limited or weak argument provided. Limited supporting detail. Grammatical errors that introduce ambiguity into the answer.
<50% marks awarded: Question has not been fully attempted or answer is ambiguous. Few or no supporting details. Limited vocabulary and many grammatical mistakes.
- Written scientific abstract
This is a 300 word abstract based upon the results of the laboratory practical.
Twenty-five marks are available for this assessment. Broadly:
15-25 marks: A title must be provided and be informative. A general purpose and all relevant methods need to be stated using the correct and appropriate scientific terminology. Important numerical results need to be given with correct units and significant figures. Important descriptive results must also be given within the appropriate context. Conclusions must be given that are based on the results generated. Where statistical analysis has been conducted, this must be briefly described with p-values and error values provided. For full marks to be awarded, the abstract must be well written, contain minimal grammatical error and make the purpose, relevance and methods clear.
5-15 marks: Marks will be lost if the title is somewhat ambiguous or incomplete, contains errors, or is written without appropriate scientific terminology. Marks will be lost if the aims or methods are partially incomplete and unscientific. Similarly if the result section is incomplete, omits important results or incorrect units or significant figures are used. Marks will be lost if the conclusion section is incomplete and fails to identify the relevance of the results to the title/question posed. Marks will be lost if the abstract is poorly written (eg, contains grammatical errors and poor sentence construction).
0-5 marks: A failure will result if: A title is absent, or is neither informative nor appropriate. If the aims and methodology section is absent or not relevant to the experiment. If the results section is absent, incomplete, or not relevant to the experiment. The conclusions section is absent, incomplete, or not relevant to the experiment. Finally, a failure will result if the abstract is poorly written, making the aims and relevance unclear.
The pass mark for both the laboratory write-up and the exam is 30%, with an overall module pass mark of 40%.
