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SM2001: FOUNDATION SKILLS FOR MEDICAL SCIENCES (2021-2022)

Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:05


Course Overview

  • this course is the cornerstone to all the advanced science courses in later years and provides you with key skills for success in science; 
  • feedback from employers drove the course design to give specific and focused science skills to enhance your employability;
  • numerical, analytical, data interpretation, experimental design and problem solving skills are core elements that are essential for any graduate career portfolio;
  • this course and the additional specifically developed online resources have been commended by employers and students alike.


Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 2
Term First Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Derryck Shewan

Qualification Prerequisites

  • Programme Level 2

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • One of BI1507 The Cell (Passed) or SF1503 The Cell (Foundation) (Passed) or SM1501 The Cell (Passed)
  • One of Anatomy (AN) (Studied) or Biochemistry (BC) (Studied) or Biotechnology (BT) (Studied) or Developmental Biology (DB) (Studied) or Genetics (GN) (Studied) or Immunology (IM) (Studied) or Molecular Biology (MB) (Studied) or Microbiology (MC) (Studied) or Pharmacology (PA) (Studied) or Physiology (PY) (Studied) or Sports Science (SR) (Studied)
  • One of BI1507 The Cell (Passed) or SF1503 The Cell (Foundation) (Passed) or SM1501 The Cell (Passed)
  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)
  • One of Anatomy (AN) (Studied) or Biochemistry (BC) (Studied) or Biotechnology (BT) (Studied) or Developmental Biology (DB) (Studied) or Genetics (GN) (Studied) or Immunology (IM) (Studied) or Molecular Biology (MB) (Studied) or Microbiology (MC) (Studied) or Pharmacology (PA) (Studied) or Physiology (PY) (Studied) or Sports Science (SR) (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course focuses on developing core skills for medical scientists and is required for all students with degree intentions in the School of Medical Sciences. The course is designed to increase confidence and competence in numerical manipulations, to understand and interpret different ways of presenting scientific data, to comprehend simple statistical analysis and how to use it, to understand the basis of scientific investigation and the importance of hypothesis driven enquiry, to practice numerical and practical skills, and to develop transferable skills related to teamwork, time management, communication and information technology. These skills are delivered by means of Ombea-led workshops that students undertake in groups of 3, online practice questions and problem solving tasks in the context of scientific research, and individual assessments under examination conditions. Supervision is provided by a number of academic staff, bestowing expert advice as well as fostering student-staff engagement and encouraging conversation and tuition among your peers and lecturers


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

25% Workshop and Practical

5% Peer Review

70% Assessments 

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualRememberILO’s for this course are available in the course guide.

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