Minutes of Biochemistry Programme Committee meeting held on Friday 30 October 2015 at 9.30 in Biology Williamson Rooms Apologies for absence : Fred Antson, Ian Bancroft, Mark Coles, Gideon Davies, Calvin Dytham, Martin Fascione, Angela Hodge, Mark Leake, Peter McGlynn, Alison Parkin, Michael Plevin, Jennifer Potts, Anne Routledge, Katie Smith, Maggie Smith, Gavin Thomas, Marjan van der Woude Present : Daniela Barilla, Christoph Baumann, Neil Bruce, Marek Brzozowski, Victor Chechik, James Chong, Set Chong, Faye Deakin (Stage 1), Louise Jones, Jason Lynam, Frans Maathuis, James Moir, Elizabeth Redfern (Stage 3 4), Michael Schultze, Seishi Shimizu, Peter Smith (Stage 3 4), Dani Ungar, Richard Waites, Tom Wells (Stage 1), Bob White, Jenny White, Tony Wilkinson 1. Minutes of the previous meeting of Biochemistry Programme Committee The minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2015 were approved. 2. Matters arising a) Inclusion of spring term Molecular Orbital Theory in CHE 09C Foundation Chemistry 2 (arising from BCH 14/04c) Seishi Shimizu introduced a proposal to include additional material on molecular orbital theory for Biochemistry students, to provide background for Inorganic Chemistry and Stage 2 modules. Seven lectures from Autumn term and six from Spring were initially proposed, but this would mean dropping the equivalent number of lectures. The PC considered options such as flipping to provide autumn term lectures offline (for students to study in their own time, which reduced pressure on the timetable but increase student workload). It was agreed that a small working group should consider the content of module CHE 09C taking into account skills teaching in Stage 1 and Stage 2. ACTION : small group including Seishi Shimizu, Christoph Baumann, Set Chong to propose changes (ideally prior to Biology Teaching Committee meeting, 16 November) b) Annual reports on modules 2014/15 (arising from BCH PC 15/4) The PC noted the report on 32I Skills PCR from Michael Schultze. c) Use of VLE for e assessment (arising out of Teaching Committee) Members of the PC were encouraged to make use of this tool for submission and marking of open assessments. d) Module catalogue James Moir reported on progress noting that students and prospective students will see aims, learning outcomes and assessment details; lecture summaries will be used for timetabling and Departmental information. It was noted that students will use the catalogue for option choice, so it was important to have prerequisites only where essential; recommendations may be incorporated into aims text. In addition, the Aims section should contain enough information for students to be able to choose their modules, such as a summary of the module synopsis. 1
e) Module change options for stage 3 Biochemists on CHE option modules PC noted that Chemistry will allow BCH students to change modules up to the start of term in exceptional circumstances (eg change of interest over vacation). ACTION : all supervisor to note, students asking to change Chemistry modules need approval from Jane Thomas Oates before completing admin via Biology Undergraduate office. DU to liaise with Julie Lord to make sure Biology UG office is aware. 3. Annual Plan for academic year 2015/16 No outstanding issues were discussed. 4. Annual Plan for academic year 2016/17 The PC considered modules within its remit, with special attention on aims and learning outcomes. a) Stage 1 04C Molecular biology and biochemistry no changes 08C Biochemical skills I minor changes had been made; it was agreed that practical write up would be formative assessment (rather than pass/fail) as preparation for completing lab books. ACTION : Set Chong to amend assessment section of synopsis. CHE 08C Foundation chemistry I no changes CHE 09C Foundation chemistry 2 discussion continuing, see above b) Stage 2 32I Scientific skills major revision (which will incorporate old module 01I Biochemical skills II) https://drive.google.com/open?id=1zzmjli7gqvfqgom6kj4enu7mo G8Z2Jz8tUn2IUOyciI James Moir introduced the synopsis for a revised module, following discussion at the Departmental Awayday. This aims to provide a wide range of skills to increasing numbers of students, as well as embedding quantitative and computational experience. The proposed module would reduce staff time (from 570 staff hours to approximately 400 staff hours). The bioscience techniques part of the module will be organised with 5 areas of skills offered in context appropriate to student areas of interest (for example BMS, BCH, Ecology, etc), with 60 students per group to cover 300 students, and generating data that could be used in the quantitative and computing part of the module. Skills would have the same contact time and learning outcomes, build on Stage 1 skills, and provide background for projects in Stages 3 and 4. 2
The PC noted that Christoph Baumann, Michael Schultze and Michael Plevin were already developing details for one strand, based on teaching in the current academic year. Further discussion was needed on ensuring assessment workloads were manageable, ensuring subject areas covered student interests, and confirming that there was sufficient lab equipment to accommodate groups of up to 60 students. It was noted that Natural Science may use parts of this module. There was general support for this revised module, and it was agreed biochemistry students would have to do the biochemistry strand, but other students should have the possibility of choosing the biochemistry strand if space was available. The PC thanked James Moir, Pen Holland and Gonzalo Blanco for their work on the revised module. ACTION: PC members to feed comments on content and assessment to Gonzalo Blanco, Pen Holland and James Moir, and organisers to develop synopsis for approval at Teaching Committee, 16 November. 08I Molecular biotechnology no changes 18I Postgenomic biotechnology one lecture has changed to a workshop, staff are needed for two lectures on transcriptomics and one practical. ACTION : James Chong to refer staffing issue to Calvin Dytham 33I Mechanisms of genetic change changes have been introduced (implemented 2015/16) as a result of student feedback 42I Eukaryotic gene expression changes include a problem based exam and the inclusion of three workshops 43I Molecular microbiology no changes CHE 12I Biochemical reaction mechanisms no changes Chemistry modules taken by Biochemistry students were also considered: CHE 11I Protein in 3D no changes CHE 08I Chemistry and disease no changes CHE 13I Strategy to synthesis in organic chemistry Victor Chechik reported that this module ran for the first time in 2014/15. There was concern that all BCH students chose the same question (from two) in assessment, and might have engaged with only part of the course, perhaps assuming that Chemistry students had more supported learning in the other part of the course. Discussions continued on how to ensure students did not feel disadvantaged, and on the possibility of removing choice in assessment. ACTION : Anne Routledge/Victor Chechik to keep PC informed of developments. 3
compulsory modules in Stage 2 the PC agreed that both 10 credit modules 42I Eukaryotic gene expression and 43I Molecular microbiology (replacing old module Gene to function) would remain compulsory for Biochemistry students c) Stage 3 modules: addition of new Membrane transport module 2016/17 The PC noted that with the addition of the new Membrane transport module for 2016/17, it was necessary to withdraw one Stage 3 module, whilst taking into account the importance of maintaining a breadth of offerings and retaining particular modules for Natural Sciences students and for the new MSc in Industrial biotechnology. It was not possible to choose which to withdraw based on the number of student choices in March 2016, as the timetable needed to be prepared before students made choices. It was proposed that long term, some modules might merge to eliminate overlap, at it was suggested that Christoph Baumann, Peter McGlynn and James Chong discuss this further. ACTION : Christoph Baumann, Peter McGlynn, James Chong consider possible merger of Stage 3 modules for 2017/8 onwards, refer to Spring meeting of BCH PC. It was suggested that 44H Chromosome dynamics might be withdrawn to make space for the new module Membrane transport. ACTION : BCH PC would suggest to Teaching Committee that 44H Chromosome dynamics be removed for 2016/17. It was suggested that 23H Plant biotechnology might move to the remit of Biology Programme Committee. ACTION : BCH PC to suggest to Teaching Committee that 23H Plant biotechnology moves to Biology PC. d) Stage 3 27H BIO/BCH Skills minor changes made 28H BIO/BCH/BMS Research project synopsis updated, organiser to be appointed ACTION : Calvin Dytham to appoint module organiser xxh Project for Integrated Masters students no major changes 04H Biocatalysis no changes 06H Biofuels and biotechnology no changes 13H Epigenetics in development and disease no changes 16H Glycobiology no changes 19H Molecular machines minor changes 23H Plant biotechnology change in staffing and assessment 24H Protein nucleic acid interactions no changes 4
25H Protein protein recognition no changes 43H Antibiotics to check for changes ACTION : Maggie Smith 44H Chromosome dynamics it was agreed (see c above) that this module should not run in 2016/17 45H Transcription and cancer renamed from previous year, significantly more cancer oriented xxh Membrane transport and its role in health and disease the PC noted the synopsis for this new module organised by Frans Maathuis https://drive.google.com/open?id=1x5u2r3csx mqhtqbmr6qo R4Ic5 KWyQccFeNeP78xjQ ACTION : Frans Maathuis, some modifications to the Aims and Learning Outcomes text in the synopsis requested CHE 19H Proteins and disease (Marek Brzozowski) e) Optional core modules for Biochemistry students in Stage 2 and Stage 3 The PC agreed not to change the 50 credits of compulsory modules in Stage 2. The PC suggests increasing the number of core options (to include 45H Transcription and cancer, 43H Antibiotics and xxh Membrane transport), requiring BSc students to take 4 from this group rather than the current 3. Student representatives did not see any problem with this. ACTION : to recommend changes to Teaching Committee for its meeting 16 December. The PC discussed the feasibility of running two cancer modules in the Autumn term as mutually exclusive. ACTION : for Teaching Committee to consider at its meeting 16 December. f) Stage 4 The PC noted that Biology Programme Committee takes responsibility for modules. Project choice for Stage 4 students will be integrated with that for Stage 3 students. Natural Sciences students may be taking optional modules. g) MSc in Industrial Biotechnology The PC approved the new module synopses for the following: Industrial biotechnology (20 credits) organised by Neil Bruce MSc Research project (90 credits) organised by Emma Rand Research, professional and team skills (30 credits) organised by Antje Kuhrs and Katie Smith The PC also noted that MSc students will also take 20 credits of existing Stage 3 (H level) modules. 5
h) Natural Sciences Skills for Natural Sciences the PC noted the paper from Christoph Baumann on Stage 2 skills https://drive.google.com/open?id=0b3esqx 4bcifalhCMS15djMyTjR0N mqzaxhtzvlocxhyyjfz 5. Forward planning for 2017/18 The PC noted that Natural Sciences students will have taken Stage 1 teaching in Biology, but not all of the Skills module and no Biology tutorials. Their Autumn term will comprise a mix of workshops, and small group tutorials covering statistics, bioinformatics and writing. In the Spring term, they will take tutorials, ideally mixed with Biology, BMS and Biochemistry students; this may cause a problem with timetabling (though less extreme with reorganisation of 32I skill practicals). Since the tutorials need to be assessed for Natural Sciences students, they will use feedback on the extended essay as formative assessment, and rewrite and submit to Natural Sciences staff for marking (60% of assessment). Natural Sciences staff will also mark presentations in the Autumn (20%) and Summer term (20%). The PC noted that the assessment load seemed rather high, and it was suggested this might be modified to 60% on extended essay 40% on presentation, in the Summer term. ACTION : Christoph Baumann to consider suggestions from PC. It was also noted that Teaching Committee is considering allocating students to tutors, based on their choice of modules, which will ease timetabling of tutorials. ACTION : Teaching Committee November meeting. The PC suggested that it might be possible to consolidate some Stage 3 teaching into fewer modules; further discussion was deferred. ACTION : to discuss at the Spring meeting, for 2017/18 teaching. 6. Any other business a) More Chemistry labs for Stage 2 biochemists The PC noted that if students took additional practicals in Chemistry modules, they would acquire skills and interests prior to project choice for Stage 3. ACTION : to bring forward for discussion at Spring meeting, for 2017/18 teaching. b) Update on Biochemistry vs Chemistry student performance (arising from 15/02a) The PC noted that anecdotally, Biochemistry students appeared not to perform as well on Chemistry modules as Chemistry students. Without further information it was not possible to discuss this further. 7. Dates of next meetings Teaching Committee Monday 16 November considers modules from all PCs, and finalises course plans for 2016/17 6
Biology Board of Studies Friday 4 December approves modules and course plans for 2016/17 Chemistry Teaching committee date tbc receives minutes of the Autumn term BCH PC meeting. BCH PC 13.00 on Wednesday 9 March 2016 receives reports from Autumn term modules associated with BCH BCH PC 9.30 on Monday 14 June 2016 receives reports from Spring/Summer term modules associated with BCH, and begins planning process for 2017/18 7