School of Biological Sciences Student Handbook, Study notes of Biological Sciences

Download School of Biological Sciences Student Handbook and more Study notes Biological Sciences in PDF only on Docsity!

School of Biological Sciences

Student Handbook

MINOR OFFENCES: PENALTIES AVAILABLE TO THE HEAD OF SCHOOL OR

Climate Change and Geographical Information Systems BBC2030 (AUTUMN)

WELCOME

I am very pleased to take this opportunity to welcome all new undergraduates and returning students to Queen’s University Belfast for the 2014-2015 academic year.

I hope that you will enjoy your degree course as well as the diverse opportunities that university life affords. Many new students will find Queen’s very different from their school environment. Don’t be put off by large class sizes and bustle — academic staff, Advisers of Studies and Tutors, graduate demonstrators and all kinds of support staff are there to help you. It is crucial to both your academic and general wellbeing that you adjust as quickly as possible to the greater independence and responsibility expected of students in higher education.

University education is student-centred, so you are largely responsible for organizing your own time and assignments. We encourage you to get involved in curriculum development via the Staff Student Consultative Committee (SSCC) and degree pathway and module review boards. Student representatives are needed and all students should consider how they might participate in maintaining a vibrant and dynamic academic environment.

We encourage all students to consider their future career choices early on but to keep options open whenever possible. Take advantage of the Careers Service provided by Queen’s for all students, in particular our Careers Guidance Officer, Mark Gallagher. Feel free to approach academic staff in the School for more specific advice. We are always happy to talk to students about graduate courses and career opportunities.

If you are in doubt about anything , or have a problem or think you have a grievance, please ask someone to try and sort it out for you. The School Office has a group of clerical staff dedicated to our students, and this is the best place to start. You may be referred to your Adviser of Studies or your personal tutor, and at Honours you can always talk to your Project Supervisor. A wide range of problems can be raised with your Staff-Student Consultative Committee representative.

DATES FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2014-

(*Holidays must not be arranged for these periods)

Semester 1: Lectures etc: Monday 29 September 2014 to Friday 19 December 2014

Students must be available for registration one week prior to the start

of Semester 1.

Semester 2: Lectures etc: Monday 2 February 2015 to Friday 15 May 2015 [No lectures on Rag Day 18 February 2015, Good Friday 3 April 2015]

Examinations*, etc: Monday 12 January to Tuesday 27 January 2015 and Thursday 21 May 2015 to Saturday 6 June 2015

August resits: Monday 10 August 2015 to Saturday 22 August 2015

Field Courses/Fieldwork ***** : BBC2025 Applied Ecology Sunday 21 September to Friday 26 September 2014 EVB1004 Environmental Biology Fri 27 March to Sat 4 April 2015 BBC2026 Marine Ecology (with Field Course) Sun 12 to Fri 17 April 2015

Vacations: Christmas: Monday 22 December 2014 to Friday 9 January 2015 Easter: Monday 30 March 2015 to Friday 17 April 2015

STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION

Name Position Telephone Room E-mail @qub.ac.uk

Alberini, Prof Anna Professor N/A N/A a.alberini Allan, Prof Gordon Professor N/A N/A g.allan Allen, Dr Christopher Senior Lecturer 2758 OG 416 MBC c.allen Allen, Mr George J Technician 2277 01.421 MBC g.allen Bai, Mrs Ling Clerical Officer 6514 0G.326 DKB l.bai Boeri, Dr Marco Lecturer 2685 06.027 MBC m.boeri Borowiecki, Mr Lukasz Technician 2276 01.022 MBC l.borowiecki Brennan Dr Gerry P Senior Lecturer 2083 01.413 MBC g.brennan Brown, Claire Clerical Officer 2417 01.405 MBC c.brown Cameron, Dr Alison Lecturer 2726 05.037 MBC a.cameron Campbell, Dr Katrina Lecturer 6535 02.021 NITC katrina.campbell Cao, Dr Cuong Lecturer 6545 02.007 NITC c.cao Caruso, Dr Tancredi Lecturer 2271 06.019 MBC t.caruso Connolly, Dr Lisa Lecturer 6668 02.013 NITC l.connolly Cotter, Dr Sheena Lecturer 2691 05.035 MBC s.cotter Curran, Mrs Bernie Clerical Officer 4272 8230 Portaferry b.curran Cuskelly, Dr Geraldine Lecturer 6547 02.018 NITC g.cuskelly Dalton, Prof John Professor 2102 01.440 MBC j.dalton Dalzell, Dr Johnathan Lecturer 2113 0G.407 MBC j.dalzell Dean, Dr Moira Senior Lecturer 6561 02.016 NITC moira.dean Devlin, Mrs Mary Clerical Officer 5789 01.402 MBC mary.devlin Dick, Prof Jamie T A Professor 2286 06.031 MBC j.dick Dickson, Mr John Technician 2037 Stores j.dickson Elliott, Prof Chris Professor 6549 02.010 NITC chris.elliott Elwood, Miss Jacqui Technician jacqui.elwood Elwood, Prof Robert W Professor 2283 06.042 MBC r.elwood Emmerson, Prof Mark Professor 2912 05.032 MBC m.emmerson Fairweather, Prof Ian Professor 2298 0G.437 MBC i.fairweather Fanning, Prof Seamus Professor s.fanning Farnsworth, Dr Keith Lecturer 2352 06.028 MBC k.farnsworth Finlay, Ms Jennie Clerical Officer 5787 01.402 MBC jennie.finlay Flannery, Mrs Janet Clerical Officer 5787 01.402 MBC j.flannery Fowler, Mr Stephen Technician 2108 0B.003 MBC s.fowler Galkin, Dr Alexander Lecturer 2166 01.442 MBC a.galkin Gallagher, Mr Mark Careers Advisor 3957 02.024 Student Guidance Centre

m.gallagher

Name Position Telephone Room E-mail @qub.ac.uk Montgomery, Prof W. Ian Professor 2214 05.021 MBC i.montgomery Mooney, Dr Mark Lecturer 6537 02.022 NITC mark.mooney Mousley, Dr Angela Senior Lecturer 2118 0G.418 MBC a.mousley Murray, Mr Darren Technician 2276 01.022 MBC d.p.murray Murray, Monica Clerical Officer 2417 01.405 MBC monica.murray Myles, Miss Deborah Clerical Officer 5787 01.402 MBC d.myles Nelson, Dr John Reader 2107 01.417 MBC john.nelson O’Connell, Dr Niamh Senior Lecturer 6507 02.016 NITC niamh.oconnell O’Connor Ms Katrina Technician 2276 01.020 MBC k.oconnor O’Connor, Dr Nessa Lecturer 2127 06.023 MBC n.oconnor O’Neill, Mr Ciaran Technician 2276 01.022 MBC c.j.oneill Panov, Dr Kostya Lecturer 2119 01.438 MBC k.panov Preshaw Mr Chris Chief Technician 5788 01.406 MBC c.preshaw Prodöhl, Prof Paulo Professor 2267 05.029 MBC p.prodohl Provan Dr Jim Reader 2280 05.016 MBC j.provan Purdy Mrs Elizabeth School Manager 5786 01.402 MBC biolsci Quinn, Dr John P Reader 2287 0B.454 MBC j.quinn Reid, Dr Neil Lecturer 2281 05.014 MBC neil.reid Riddell, Mrs Gillian Technician 2284 06.033 MBC g.riddell Roberts, Dr David Reader 2249 01.044 MBC d.roberts Robinson, Dr Mark Lecturer 2120 0G.440 MBC mark.robinson Scantlebury, Dr Michael Lecturer 2278 06.017 MBC m.scantlebury Scarpa, Prof Riccardo Professor 2300 06.037 MBC r.scarpa Sigwart, Dr Julia Lecturer 2413 05.038 MBC j.sigwart Situ, Chen Dr Lecturer 6546 02.014 NITC c.situ Smertenko, Dr Andrei Senior Lecturer Stephens, Dr Judith Lecturer 2114 0G.038 MBC j.stephens Stewart, Dr Linda Research Fellow 2950 0G.417 MBC l.stewart Surgenor, Miss Clio Technician 2247 05.027 MBC c.surgenor Timson, Dr David Reader 5875 0G.435 MBC d.timson Toner, Mrs Catriona Clerical Officer 5787 01.402 MBC catriona.toner Trudgett, Dr Alan Lecturer 2125 0G.438 MBC a.trudgett Van Rein, Dr Henk Marine Technician 42727807 Portaferry h.vanrein Walsh, Mrs Pauline Clerical Officer 5787 01.402 MBC pauline.walsh Watterson, Mrs Joyce Institute Administrator

6516 02.025 NITC joyce.watterson

Williams, Dr Paul Lecturer 6539 02.007 NITC p.williams

Useful contacts

• WELCOME
• DATES FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2014-2015
• STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION........................................................................
• Useful contacts
• INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................
• School Management
• GENERAL INFORMATION...................................................................................
• School Office and Communications
• Student–Staff Communication
• Students' Expectations and Problems
• University Rules of Discipline
• Student Charter.................................................................................................
• Code of Conduct of Undergraduates in Practical Classes
• Demonstrators
• Paid Employment during Academic Year
• Personal Tutorial System...................................................................................
• Personal Development Planning (PDP)
• Role of Adviser of Studies
• Staff/Student Consultative Committee
• School Student Support Committee..................................................................
• Student Complaints Procedure
• Booklist guidelines
• Guide to essay writing
• Plagiarism..........................................................................................................
• Collusion
• Fabrication
  • Procedures following suspected offences
  • PENALTIES FOR ACADEMIC OFFENCES
  • NOMINEE
  • BOARD OF EXAMINERS MAJOR OFFENCES: PENALTIES AVAILABLE TO THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE
• Practical schedules
• Queen’s University Library
• Student Computing Centres
• Work experience and Careers
• School Work Placement programme
• Careers Service..................................................................................................
• Degree plus - What is the Degree Plus Award?
• Summer studentships
• International Study and Work Experience.........................................................
• Erasmus study placements................................................................................
• University Exchange programmes.....................................................................
• Additional opportunities for students to work and study overseas
• The Learning Development Service...................................................................
• QUB Languages for Non-Specialists
• School Safety Policy
• Laboratory practice
• School Policy on Use of Animals in Laboratory and Field Classes
• Students with Disabilities
• Student Finance
• Chaplaincies and Counselling
• Medical Certificates/Student Health
• Change of Address
• Lecture times
• Mobile phones
• Litter..................................................................................................................
• UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
  • Degree Regulations
  • Progression
  • Changing Degree
• MODULES AND THEIR ASSESSMENT
  • General
  • Changing Modules.........................................................................................
  • Assessment - General....................................................................................
  • Compulsory elements
  • Continuous Assessment
  • General Procedures
  • Late Submission
• Examinations.....................................................................................................
• Marking, Module Moderation and Release of Results
  • Notification of Results
• Degree Classification and Predominance
  • Stage 3 – Honours
  • Predominance
• Illness
  • Exceptional circumstances
• DEGREE PROGRAMMES
• BSc Honours in Agricultural Technology
• BSc Honours in Agricultural Technology with Professional Studies
• BSc Honours in Biochemistry
• BSc Honours in Biochemistry with Professional Studies....................................
• MSci Biochemistry
• MSci Biochemistry with Professional Studies
• BSc Honours in Biological Sciences....................................................................
• BSc Honours in Biological Sciences with Professional Studies
• BSc Honours in Environmental Biology.............................................................
• BSc Honours in Environmental Biology with Professional Studies
• BSc Honours in Food Quality, Safety and Nutrition
• Studies BSc Honours in Food Quality, Safety and Nutrition with Professional
• MSci Food Science and Food Security
• MSci Food Science and Food Security with Professional Studies
• (Convenor: Dr Brian Green)
• BSc Honours in Land Use and Environmental Management
• Studies BSc Honours in Land Use and Environmental Management with Professional
• BSc Honours in Marine Biology
• BSc Honours in Marine Biology with Professional Studies
• BSc Honours in Microbiology
• BSc Honours in Microbiology with Professional Studies
• BSc Honours in Zoology.....................................................................................
• BSc Honours in Zoology with Professional Studies
• MODULE DESCRIPTIONS
• Level 1 Modules
• Animal Science ALU1044 (AUTUMN)
• Biological Diversity BSC1001 (AUTUMN)
• Enterprise Technology ALU1048 (AUTUMN)
• Food Biochemistry and Physiology ALU1050 (AUTUMN)
• Genetics and Molecular Biology GEN1005 (AUTUMN)
• Introduction to Farm Business Management ALU1047 (AUTUMN)
• Introductory Skills for Biosciences BSC1009 (AUTUMN)
• Plant Science ALU1042 (AUTUMN)
• Animal Husbandry ALU1045 (SPRING)
• Biochemistry BCH1002 (SPRING)
• Composition of Foods ALU1003 (SPRING).......................................................
• Crop Husbandry ALU1043 (SPRING)................................................................
• Environmental Biology EVB1004 (SPRING)......................................................
• Food Microbiology ALU1051 (SPRING)............................................................
• Fundamental Nutrition ALU1001 (SPRING)
• Mechanisation and Farm Buildings ALU1046 (SPRING)
• Microorganisms MCB1006 (SPRING)
• Information Technology and Core Skills ALU1041 (FULL YEAR)
• Level 2 Modules
• Adaptations in the Marine Environment BBC2031 (AUTUMN)
• Agriculture and the Environment ALU2045 (AUTUMN)
• Applied Ecology BBC2025 (AUTUMN)
• Biochemical Methods BBC2015 (AUTUMN)
• Cell Biology BBC2004 (AUTUMN)
• Comparative Animal Physiology BBC2028 (AUTUMN)
• Environmental and Applied Microbiology BBC2029 (AUTUMN)
• Environmental Management ALU2052 (AUTUMN)
• Food Appearance and Texture ALU2004 (AUTUMN)
• Grassland Management ALU2043 (AUTUMN)
• Hygienic Food Processing ALU2017 (AUTUMN)
• Livestock Production 1 ALU2042 (AUTUMN)
• Molecular Genetics BBC2012 (AUTUMN)
• Psychology of Food Choice ALU2020 (AUTUMN)
• Alternative Land Use and Diversification ALU2046 (SPRING)..........................
• Crop Production ALU2044 (SPRING)
• Diet and Health ALU2008 (SPRING)
• Evolution and Adaptations of the Endotherms BBC2032 (SPRING)
• Farming and Environmental Management ALU2051 (SPRING)
• Food Commodities ALU2021 (SPRING)...........................................................
• Food Policy and Marketing ALU2016 (SPRING)
• Genetic Systems BBC2020 (SPRING)
• Introduction to Environmental Economics ALU2053 (SPRING)
• Invertebrate Biology BBC2023 (SPRING)
• Livestock Production 2 ALU2050 (SPRING)......................................................
• Mammalian Biochemistry BBC2008 (SPRING).................................................
• Marine Ecology BBC2027 (SPRING)
• Marine Ecology (with field course) BBC2026 (SPRING)
• Microbial Metabolism and Physiology BBC2010 (SPRING)..............................
• Molecular Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics BBC2018 (SPRING)
• Supply Chain Management and Marketing ALU2048 (SPRING)
• Virology VMI2001 (SPRING)
• Farm Business Management ALU2047 (FULL YEAR)
• Work Placement ALU2012 (FULL YEAR)
• Level 3 Modules
• Advanced Food Testing Methods ALU3039 (AUTUMN)
• Biomolecular Structure BBC3034 (AUTUMN)
• Environmental Assessment ALU3025 (AUTUMN)
• Farm Animal Health and Welfare ALU3031 (AUTUMN)
• Food Quality and Safety ALU3003 (AUTUMN)
• Genetic Manipulation and Biotechnology BBC3046 ( AUTUMN)
• Global Issues in Agriculture ALU3041 (AUTUMN)
• Marine Zoology BBC3041 (AUTUMN)
• Microbial and Environmental Biotechnology BBC3043 (AUTUMN)
• Molecular Evolution and Bioinformatics BBC3035 (AUTUMN)
• Parasitology BBC3020 (AUTUMN)...................................................................
• Policies for Environmental Sustainability ALU3024 (AUTUMN)
• The Immune System BBC3013 (AUTUMN)......................................................
• Advances in Crop and Animal Science and Technology ALU3032 (SPRING)...
• Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology BBC3044 (SPRING)..............................
• Biochemical Basis of Disease BBC3045 (SPRING)
• Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship ALU3033 (SPRING)
• Cell Signalling BBC3031 (SPRING)
• Food Product Development ALU3009 (SPRING)
• Infections VMI3005 (SPRING)..........................................................................
• Marine Processes BBC3033 (SPRING)
• Zoonoses BBC3047 (SPRING)
• Professional Studies ALU3013 (FULL YEAR).....................................................
• Project (FQN) ALU3001 (FULL YEAR)
• Project (LUEM) ALU3021 (FULL YEAR).............................................................
• Project Work (Agricultural Technology) ALU3030 (FULL YEAR)
• Research Project BBC3025 (FULL YEAR)
• Research Skills (MSci) (BBC3050)
• Book list
• TIMETABLES
  • School Manager (Elizabeth Purdy) (028)
  • School Office 9097 5787/
  • School Office (Mary Devlin)
  • School Office FAX
  • MBC Reception/Security
  • Student Records/Examinations Office
  • MBC Stores
  • Marine Biology Laboratory, Portaferry (028)
    • FAX (028)
      • Tie-line #
  • Dr Gerry Brennan 0G.433 Advisers of Studies:
  • Dr Moira Dean DKB 0G.329
  • Dr Irene Grant 0G.421
  • Dr Leonid Kulakov 0G.413B
  • Dr Hansjoerg Kunc 5.025
  • Dr Alberto Longo 01.415A
  • Dr John McGrath 0B.456
  • Dr Niamh O'Connell 6.37
• Dr Alan Trudgett 0G.438 Senior Tutor:
• Dr John Hallsworth 0B.453 School Student Support Officer:
• Dr Chris Law 01.443 School Disability Adviser:

INTRODUCTION

Preface

The purpose of this Student Handbook is to provide all undergraduates registered for degrees through the School with up-to-date, accurate and readily accessible information regarding the School, its courses and how it conducts its teaching. The Handbook is not a substitute for the University Calendar website but contains additional important material relating to, for example, degree objectives, assessment methods and regulations, the School Student Support Committee and the Staff/Student Consultative Committee. The information collated here will vary to some extent from year to year and sometimes is subject to unplanned changes within the year. As far as possible changes will be notified via SSCC or by email to students.

Introduction

The School is in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences. The School currently has over 60 academic staff members with diverse teaching and research interests ranging from cancer biology to conservation of biodiversity. There is considerable interdisciplinary interaction within the School in both teaching and research as well as collaboration with other parts of the University. The School is housed largely in the Medical Biology Centre (MBC) on the Lisburn Road but there are important facilities in agri–food in the David Keir Building, and Northern Ireland Technology Centre (Malone Road), and for Marine Biology at the Marine Laboratory at Portaferry, near the southern end of Strangford Lough. The Institute of Global Food Security is Northern Ireland's primary provider of higher education in agri–food.

The School has an extensive research programme involving some 200 people including about 130 PhD students, 40 post-doctoral/research officers and 35 technical/clerical staff. All major research programmes are supported by external grants or contracts and funding amounts to over £5 million per year, with the main support derived from UK Research Councils, EU, EU governments, i n d u s t r y , and charitable bodies.

Undergraduate teaching in the School comprises 19 degrees and over 50 modules. Our Honours year, Stage 3, usually has in excess of 180

students, each of whom has the opportunity to carry out a substantial research project. We have an ambitious MSc programme. Some 800 students take courses in the School annually. An increasing number of students from abroad take courses with us; recently we have had students from at least 20 countries worldwide. Standards on all degrees are monitored by a system of External Examiners.

School Management

The School is managed by the Head of School, a fixed-term appointee reporting to the the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences. The current Head is Professor Christine Maggs. The School Board comprises mostly academic staff but also has support and contract staff and student representatives. The School Management Board, Education Committee and the Staff/Student Consultative Committee report to the School Board. Each degree has its own Degree Board dealing with specific academic matters. Other committees deal with, for example, safety. Times of the meetings of these committees are available through the School Office (Room 01.402, first floor north wing, MBC). The School is represented in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences and at the Directorate of Academic and Student Affairs, both of which deal with less specific, strategic areas of academic and managerial interest.

GENERAL INFORMATION

School Office and Communications

The School Office is staffed by the School Manager Elizabeth Purdy, Catriona Toner, Mary Devlin, Jennie Finlay, Janet Flannery, Maureen Hanna, Claire Brown, Monica Murray, Deborah Myles, and Pauline Walsh. The School Office is a focus for both staff and students where work is submitted and collected and information regarding timetables, courses and examinations is readily available. Katrina O'Connor

Students' Expectations and Problems

Students should have high expectations of higher education in general, and the School in particular. We are subject to external review, but students also have an important role in raising standards and maintaining the relevance of our degree programmes. We have written generic and specific objectives for each degree programme, contained in this Handbook. By raising concerns and making constructive criticisms, students assist in the development of what we aim to do and how we realise stated objectives. This input is taken seriously and is highly valued.

The quality of the degree obtained by each student, however, is substantially determined by the efforts of that individual. While students rightly expect much of us, we expect considerable efforts from students regarding attendance at lectures and practicals, and completion and submission of work for continuous assessment. Attendance at practicals is obligatory and at lectures very strongly advisable. The University regulations state that students are expected to attend lectures and other classes for the modules for which they are enrolled. Failure to attend will inhibit your learning and therefore have a negative effect on assessment results. Attendance at lectures and classes may be monitored, and poor attendance could result in a requirement to appear before the School Student Support Committee. Attention to seminar, tutorial and project work is essential to take advantage of academic supervision on a one-to-one basis. Most students who fail have poor attendance records. Students who do not submit continuous assessment invariably fail. Staff expect students to read around their courses using the course textbook(s) or given references. Staff expect students to maintain a good set of notes, and employ good revision and examination techniques. Students should be aware that the University defines the time involvement of a student in a full module as 200 hours, i.e. about 13 hours per week per module, and in most modules a substantial proportion of this time commitment involves unsupervised and undirected private study on the part of the student.

Problems For most undergraduate students the member of academic staff with whom they have most contact is their Adviser of Studies (see p. 14). Often the Adviser is the first point of contact for students facing all kinds

of problems. These will be dealt with in confidence, other staff being involved only where absolutely necessary. In addition, Dr John Hallsworth chairs the School Student Support Committee.

University Rules of Discipline

Students are referred to The University Calendar, General Regulations, covering student conduct and procedures for breaches of discipline. The School assumes that all students enrolled for its degrees are fully aware of these rules and processes.

Essentially:  Students are expected to conduct themselves at all times in a manner which demonstrates respect for the University, its staff, fellow students and the wider community.  The essence of misconduct under these Regulations is improper interference, in the broadest sense, with the proper functioning or activities of the University, or those who work or study in the University; or action which otherwise damages the University whether or not this takes place on University property.

Students appearing before the Committee of Discipline and found guilty may be subject to expulsion, withdrawal, suspension, a fine, or reprimand. Students found guilty have a right of appeal.

Student Charter

Detailed information about the responsibilities and entitlements of students and the support and services provided by the University are set out in the Student Charter Matrix (www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc).

The School of Biological Sciences asks students:

1. To read carefully and comply with academic regulations appearing in School Handbooks and the University Calendar.
2. To familiarise themselves with the continuously updated information placed on Queens Online or sent by email.