BIMPRO-Professional Skills

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Email: j.mitchley@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module develops key professional communication skills in written and oral communication and in the professional use of social media; the module introduces the ecological consultancy industry, how it works and what it does, it introduces relevant wildlife legislation, biological recording, development planning, project management and tendering and ecological impact assessment and biodiversity assessment skills.

Aims:

• To enhance professional communication skills in written and oral communication and in the professional use of social media;


• To introduce the ecological consultancy industry, how it works and what it does;


• To introduce relevant wildlife legislation, development planning, biological recording, ecological impact assessment and biodiversity assessment skills; and


• To introduce consultancy project management and project tendering.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module students should be able to:

• Write clearly and concisely using good English;


• Communicate to a professional audience through social media and video;


• Produce and present a poster professionally.

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Additional outcomes:

• Knowledge of the ecological consultancy industry, biological recording, wildlife legislation, development planning, ecological impact assessment and biodiversity assessment.


• Working in a team to achieve objectives to a tight deadline.

Outline content:

• Introduction to ecological consultancy;


• Social media for professional ecologists including copyright issues;


• Wildlife legislation;


• Writing workshops;


• Biological recording;


• UK Habitat classification and assessment;


• Development Planning and Conservation;


• Ecological Impact Assessment;


• Project management and tendering.

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Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lectures, seminars and workshops and roleplay exercises.

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Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1. Social media assignment (50%);


2. Writing assignment (25%); and


3. Poster assignment (25%).

Formative assessment methods:

Teamwork video production, class discussion and feedback sessions, peer learning, team work.

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:

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Reassessment arrangements:

Submission of new assignments in August

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 18 November 2019