School of Biology current student

Information for current students at the School of Biology

Biology Online Module Handbook

BL5411 Advanced Topics in Biology

(BL5411 online module handbook version )

cover image
This module will allow you to develop advanced skills in data analysis and academic writing. You will have the opportunity to develop your 4th year placement research into a publication standard primary research article, mentored by a member of academic staff. You will then consider how to develop your research area into a funding application.*

Credits: 30*

Semester: 1

Module Organiser
Prof Graeme Ruxton
gr41@st-andrews.ac.uk
01334 464825
Pre-requisite Modules:
Before taking this module you must pass BL4603 and pass BL5000*
Anti-requisite Modules:
*
Post-requisite Modules:
*
Additional Module Information:


Biology Teaching Office:
Level 2, Biomolecular Sciences Building, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST

Email: bioteach@st-andrews.ac.uk      Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3602 or 3566

BL5411: Timetable

Legend (not all modules have every event type):
lecture
tutorial
workshop
practical
other

Semester 1: Week 1

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Thursday
14-09-2023
14:00 to 16:00
Dyers Brae
seminar room 1
Prof Graeme Ruxton
-
Other O1: Welcome to the module
2023-4_BL5411_O1

Semester 1: Week 2

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Thursday
21-09-2023
14:00 to 16:00
Dyers Brae
seminar room 1
Prof Graeme Ruxton
-
Other O2: ten simple rules ....
2023-4_BL5411_O2

Semester 1: Week 3

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Thursday
28-09-2023
14:00 to 16:00
Dyers Brae
Prof Graeme Ruxton
-
Other O3: Preparing a manuscript
2023-4_BL5411_O3

Semester 1: Week 4

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Thursday
05-10-2023
14:00 to 16:00
Dyers Brae
seminar room 1
Dr Kelly Robinson
-
Other O4: wildlife watching
2023-4_BL5411_O4

Semester 1: Week 5

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Thursday
12-10-2023
14:00 to 16:00
Dyers Brae
seminar room 1
Prof Graeme Ruxton
-
Other O5: manuscript reviewing
2023-4_BL5411_O5

Semester 1: Week 7

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Thursday
26-10-2023
14:00 to 16:00
Medical and Biological Sciences Building
154 Multipurpose Teaching Lab
Dr Carolin Kosiol
-
Other O6: Finding a PhD
2023-4_BL5411_O6

Semester 1: Week 8

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Thursday
02-11-2023
14:00 to 16:00
Dyers Brae
seminar room 1
Prof Graeme Ruxton
-
Other O7: ten more simple rules
2023-4_BL5411_O7

Semester 1: Week 9

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Monday
06-11-2023
14:00 to 16:00
Dyers Brae
seminar room 1
Prof Graeme Ruxton
-
Other O8: yet ten more simple rules
2023-4_BL5411_O8

Semester 1: Week 10

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Thursday
16-11-2023
14:00 to 16:00
Dyers Brae
seminar room 1
Prof Nathan Bailey
-
Other O9: getting a grant
2023-4_BL5411_O9

Semester 1: Week 11

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Thursday
23-11-2023
14:00 to 16:00
Dyers Brae
seminar room 1
Prof Simon Northridge
-
Other O10: getting other funding
2023-4_BL5411_O10

Semester 2: Week 1

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Thursday
18-01-2024
14:00 to 00:00
Dyers Brae
seminar room 1
Prof Graeme Ruxton
-
Other O11: a final ten simple rules
2023-4_BL5411_O11

Semester 2: Week 2

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Thursday
25-01-2024
14:00 to 16:00
Dyers Brae
seminar room 1
Prof Graeme Ruxton
-
Other O12: your ten simple rules
2023-4_BL5411_O12

Semester 2: Week 3

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Thursday
01-02-2024
14:00 to 16:00
Dyers Brae
seminar room 1
Dr Miguel Barbosa
-
Other O13: ocean acidification
2023-4_BL5411_O13

Semester 2: Week 4

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Thursday
08-02-2024
14:00 to 16:00
Dyers Brae
seminar room 1
Dr Iain Matthews
-
Other O14: decline of large fish
2023-4_BL5411_O14

Semester 2: Week 5

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Thursday
15-02-2024
14:00 to 16:00
Dyers Brae
seminar room 1
Prof Graeme Ruxton
-
Other O15: social for scientists skills
2023-4_BL5411_O15

Semester 2: Week 6

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Thursday
22-02-2024
14:00 to 16:00
Dyers Brae
seminar room 1
Dr Michael Morrissey
-
Other O16: wild sheep
2023-4_BL5411_O16

Spring Break: 26-Feb-2024 to 01-Mar-2024

Semester 2: Week 7

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Thursday
07-03-2024
14:00 to 16:00
Dyers Brae
seminar room 1
Prof Graeme Ruxton
-
Other O17: responsible research
2023-4_BL5411_O17

Semester 2: Week 8

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Thursday
14-03-2024
14:00 to 16:00
Dyers Brae
seminar room 1
Prof Graeme Ruxton
-
Other O18: zebra stripes
2023-4_BL5411_O18

Semester 2: Week 9

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Thursday
21-03-2024
14:00 to 16:00
Dyers Brae
seminar room 1
Prof Oscar Gaggiotti
-
Other O19: Epistemology of science
2023-4_BL5411_O19

Semester 2: Week 10

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Thursday
28-03-2024
14:00 to 16:00
Dyers Brae
seminar room 1
Dr Sophie Smout
-
Other O20: culling wildlife
2023-4_BL5411_O20

Semester 2: Week 11

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Thursday
04-04-2024
14:00 to 16:00
Dyers Brae
seminar room 1
Prof Graeme Ruxton
-
Other O21: woodpeckers
2023-4_BL5411_O21
Data Sources: information in this online module handbook is gathered from several sources.
Small footnote marks beside content, or by section titles indicate the source.
* University of St Andrews Module Catalogue
School of Biology Symbiosis Database (module organisers only)
University of St Andrews MMS (St Andrews users only)

BL5411: Assessment

Coursework = 100%*

The following related information applies to all Biology modules:

School of Biology Marking Criteria: See JH booklet info (st-andrews.ac.uk) 
Late submission of continuous assessment work:

All late submissions of coursework that do not require electronic submission should be made via the Biology Teaching Office, Level 2, BMS Building, North Haugh.
Exam details: See School of Biology UG Handbook JH booklet info (st-andrews.ac.uk)  : All Biology exams will be conducted online for 2022-23.
Exam timetable: See Timetables - Exams - University of St Andrews (st-andrews.ac.uk) 
Expected attendance: See JH booklet info (st-andrews.ac.uk)  for detailed attendance requirements.
Good Academic Practice & Avoiding Academic Misconduct: See JH booklet info (st-andrews.ac.uk)
University Student Handbook: University Student Handbook
School and University regulations in the School and University Undergraduate Handbook relating to absence reporting, penalties and rules for late submission of work, extensions for coursework, return of coursework, S-coding, good academic practice and Academic Alerts.: JH booklet info (st-andrews.ac.uk)
University Student Handbook
Data Sources: information in this online module handbook is gathered from several sources.
Small footnote marks beside content, or by section titles indicate the source.
* University of St Andrews Module Catalogue
School of Biology Symbiosis Database (module organisers only)
University of St Andrews MMS (St Andrews users only)

Who to ask

(Information in this section applies to all Biology Modules)

Before contacting staff, students should check the content of the Biology Undergraduate Handbook, the module handbook and specific task instructions.

Questions about Contact
General teaching matters Biology Teaching Office ( bioteach@st-andrews.ac.uk )
Rescheduled or cancelled events Check your University email
Lecture or practical content The lecturer who presented the material
Completing assessed practical assignments The lecturer who set the assignment
Completing assessments Module Organiser (Prof Graeme Ruxton gr41@st-andrews.ac.uk)
Marking on continuous assessment The Demonstrator or Module Organiser (Prof Graeme Ruxton gr41@st-andrews.ac.uk)
Marking on exams Module Organiser (Prof Graeme Ruxton gr41@st-andrews.ac.uk)
Rearranging practical days
Module Organiser (Prof Graeme Ruxton gr41@st-andrews.ac.uk)
Absence and/or extensions Module Organiser (Prof Graeme Ruxton gr41@st-andrews.ac.uk)

and the Biology Teaching Office ( bioteach@st-andrews.ac.uk )

Difficulties with academic progress which impact more than one module:

Year Coordinator

See School of Biology UG Handbook for list:
JH booklet info (st-andrews.ac.uk)

Overall performance, progress or future directions:

Advisor of Studies

Disability:

Disability Coordinator ( biodisabilities@st-andrews.ac.uk )

For advice and support on any issue e.g. academic, financial, international, personal or health matters, or if you are unsure of who to go to for help:

Advice & Support Centre

Address: 79 North Street, St Andrews

Email: theasc@st-andrews.ac.uk

Web: https://www.standrews.ac.uk/ask-a-question/

Tel: 01334 462020

University assistance with urgent matters out of office hours:

Tel: 01334 476161

Web: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/advice/counselling/incrisis/

Biology Teaching Office:

We are happy to hear from you about teaching matters. The School of Biology Teaching Office is open Monday to Friday 09.00 - 13.00 and 14.00 - 17.00. School of Biology staff will respond to your emails during these hours. Our team will provide a response to you within three working days.

Biology Teaching Office (Level 2), University of St Andrews, Biomolecular Sciences Building, North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST

Email: bioteach@st-andrews.ac.uk

Tel: 01334 46 3602 or 3566

BL5411: Contributing Staff

Prof Graeme Ruxton
(Module Organiser)

Professorgr41@st-andrews.ac.uk
Prof Nathan BaileyProfessornwb3@st-andrews.ac.uk
Dr Miguel BarbosaLecturer in Marine Biologymb334@st-andrews.ac.uk
Prof Oscar GaggiottiMASTS Professoroeg@st-andrews.ac.uk
Dr Carolin KosiolReaderck202@st-andrews.ac.uk
Dr Iain MatthewsSenior Teaching Fellow & Pro-Dean for the Faculty of Scienceimm7@st-andrews.ac.uk
Dr Michael MorrisseyResearch Fellowmbm5@st-andrews.ac.uk
Prof Simon NorthridgeHead of Schoolspn1@st-andrews.ac.uk
Dr Kelly RobinsonAssociate Lecturer in Animal Behaviour and Evolutionkjr33@st-andrews.ac.uk
Prof Graeme Ruxton
(Module Organiser)
Professorgr41@st-andrews.ac.uk
Dr Sophie SmoutLecturer (Education Focused)scs10@st-andrews.ac.uk
Data Sources: information in this online module handbook is gathered from several sources.
Small footnote marks beside content, or by section titles indicate the source.
* University of St Andrews Module Catalogue
School of Biology Symbiosis Database (module organisers only)
University of St Andrews MMS (St Andrews users only)

BL5411: Learning Outcomes

No details are currently available for Learning Outcomes

Data Sources: information in this online module handbook is gathered from several sources.
Small footnote marks beside content, or by section titles indicate the source.
* University of St Andrews Module Catalogue
School of Biology Symbiosis Database (module organisers only)
University of St Andrews MMS (St Andrews users only)

BL5411: Acquired Skills

No details are currently available for Acquired Skills

Data Sources: information in this online module handbook is gathered from several sources.
Small footnote marks beside content, or by section titles indicate the source.
* University of St Andrews Module Catalogue
School of Biology Symbiosis Database (module organisers only)
University of St Andrews MMS (St Andrews users only)

Policies

(Information in this section applies to all Biology Modules)

  • The procedures and regulations followed by the School of Biology are outlined in the University Handbook and in the School of Biology UG handbook  JH booklet info (st-andrews.ac.uk) 
  • All coursework associated with the module must be completed and submitted by its due date.
  • Specific School regulations relating to absence reporting, penalties and rules for late submission of work, extensions for coursework, return of coursework, S-coding, Good Academic Practice and Academic Alert are stated in the School of Biology UG hand book JH booklet info (st-andrews.ac.uk)  and students are required to carefully read these regulations.
  • Students are also referred to the University Handbook, available at: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/studenthandbook/