BMS PC, 4 June 2014
Biomedical Sciences Programme Committee
Minutes of the meeting held 4 June 2014,in Biology Williamson Rooms
Present: Gonzalo Blanco, Will Brackenbury, Nia Bryant (part), Sangeeta Chawla, DawnCoverley, Gareth Evans, PaulGenever, Allison Green, Andy Kardasz (part), MarikaKullberg, Antje Kuhrs, Dimitris Lagos, Norman Maitland, James Moir, Paul Pryor, Katie Smith, Jenny Southgate (part), SeanSweeney, Marjanvander Woude (Chair), Richard Waites, Carol Wales, Jenny White (Secretary).
Apologies: Mark Coles, Chris Elliott, Tracy Lightfoot, Frans Maathuis, Fabiola Martin, TonyMorland, Adrian Mountford, Dani Ungar.
14/014Minutes of previous meeting of Programme Committee
The minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2014were approved, with the following matters arising from the minutesand other matters being dealt with on the agenda.
a)Module synopses (arising from 14/05)
All staff were reminded to review their module synopses, paying particular attending to learning outcomes.
ACTION: All module organisers to check synopses.
b)Equipment for Neuroscience(arising from 14/06a)
Gareth Evans reported that following discussions withNicola Charlton, purchase of more accurate equipment (hot plates and waterbaths)required for the Neuroscience practical cannot be justified.
c)Immunology module/s (arising from 14/06e)
The Committee noted that Marika Kullberg will take over as module organiser of 03H Advanced topics in immunology from 2014/15, and that further development of module/s in this area is deferred until new staff are established.
d)Year in Industry contacts (arising from 14/09a)
Marjan van der Woude reported that Antal Rot and Tracy Lightfoot would be liaising with Lorna Warnock and Daniela Barilla.
14/015Review of modules from academic year 2014/15 or spring/summer term 2014
Module organisers had submitted written reports to the Chair of BMS PC identifying actions to be taken, and giving comments on provision for future academic years. It was noted that the Biology Teaching Committee Chair has suggested that module reports be made available to students, after review by PC chairs and this would be discussed at the meeting of Biology Teaching Committee on 13 June.
a)Level of student engagement with online feedback
Concern was expressed that the numbers of students giving feedback was very low, resulting in barely meaningful response rates. It was noted that, since the University no longer supports the central online feedback system, the Department will explore different ways of gathering feedback, and address the issue of communicating with students.
b)09I Neuroscience: Gareth Evans reported that the student newspaper Nouse had printed a story on the ethics of a practical fromthis module which contained incorrect information. It was noted that the ethics that is delivered to all students in Stage 1 skills will be reviewed to ensure it contains this relevant information, and it would be valuable if supervisors might raise this in discussions with their Stage 1 students.
ACTION: Marjan van der Woude to raise at Teaching Committee, whether synopses should contain information on ethics in practicals.
c)35I Cell biology: Paul Genever commented that screen view had been useful where a large group of students attended practicals. Attendance at lectures had been low compared to previous year, possibly due to available of recorded lectures online. Regarding practicals, attendance was also low unless it was flagged as assessed; in future, students would be advised that assessment would be generated from any practicals, which should result in better attendance.
There was discussion on whether students might be asked to produce cross-module, annual lab books as evidence of inter-module skills they were developing, and a discussion followed, without reaching agreement, on whether this might be monitored by supervisors or module organisers. The former seemed preferred.
ACTION: MvdW to refer to Teaching Committee for consideration.
d)32I Skills – Cell biology and cytometry:Gonzalo Blanco noted that with changes introduced to the long practicals, feedback had been better than in the previous year. In 2014/15 this 5-credit module will change to Cell imaging, taught by GonzaloBlanco and Sean Sweeney.
e)32I Skills – Electrophysiology: In Chris Elliott’s absence, Marjan van der Woude reported that students had been invited to give feedback on paper. They had approved of the development of practicals from basic to more difficult. Two students had commented on the use of live animals (invertebrates), and the synopsis needed checking to ensure this was mentioned.
Chris Elliott proposed the purchase of new equipment (micromanipulators) at a cost of 8 x £500; the Committee queried whether, if student numbers increased, the cost of equipment for these practicals would be even higher and whether other practicals may benefit.
ACTION: CJHE to ensure that synopsis mentions use of live animals in practicals; CJHE to provide detailed information on equipment needed to Nicola Charlton.
f)32I Skills in general: The Committee noted that Biology Programme Committee had raised concern that all 5-credit practical elements of this module should provide comparable preparation for Stage 3 level practical work for student projects.
ACTION: Refer to Teaching Committee for consideration.
g)03H Advanced topics in immunology: This module ran well; in 2014/15, Marika Kullberg will take over from Adrian Mountford as organiser.
h)07H Brain in health and disease: No problems were reported by Chris Elliott apart from temporary problems with the microphone in K018.
i)18H Molecular and cellular parasitology: No problems were reported by AdrianMountford, who had taken over this module from Debbie Smith. In 2014/15, this module will change focus with a human emphasis, and be taught by Paul Kaye and Pegine Walrad.
14/16Modules for academic year 2014/15 (additional to those discussed in previous item)
a)02I Immunology
Allison Green introduced the revised synopsis for this module, which was accepted.
b)Demonstrators
Staff raised concerns that PhD students needed to be recruited as demonstrators, particularly as the number of undergraduate students increase. It was proposed that the call for volunteer demonstrators be extended to York-based HYMS students, who might appreciate the experience of involvement in teaching, provided they had suitable training from the Biology department or the University. The Committee also noted good practice in demonstrating, ie preparation of a “frequently asked questions” crib sheet, and recruiting PhD students from a range of years to ensure continuity of cover.
ACTION: Refer to Teaching Committee.
14/17New module proposals
The Committee noted that a proposal for a Stage 3 module in Mechanotransduction from Gonzalo Blanco would be developed when new staff were established, taking into consideration changes to genetics teaching in Stages 1 and 2 and also student feedback on 42H Human genetics.
ACTION: Remove Mechanotransduction from module list for 2015/16.
14/18Early consideration of modules for academic year 2015/16
a)Review of Stage 2 teaching in cell biology
Paul Genever reported on proposals from a working group on cell biology teaching comprising himself, Paul Pryor, Dawn Coverley, Daniel Ungar, Nia Bryant and Gareth Evans. Originally delivered as a 20-credit module, cell biology teaching had been split to two 10-credit modules in 2013/14 in response to student feedback, namely 34I Metabolism in health and disease (autumn) and 35I Cell Biology (spring). The working group proposed new 10-credit modules Cell Physiology (autumn) and Cell and Tissue Biology (spring). The latter module might include some introductory lectures on cancer and was likely to be a pre-requisite for Stage 3 cancer module(s). It was proposed that an additional module in metabolic pathways in Stage 3 would be developed.
In discussion, further options emerged for rearranging material within these modules and also 07I Gene to Function, which is a 20-credit module covering eukaryotic biology (autumn) and prokaryotic/microbiology (spring). Rearrangement of 07I Gene to function into two 10-credit modules, or allowing BMS students to take only the Spring/summer sessions, might allow BMS students more choice without having to take the whole 20-credit module.
It was noted that further discussion needed to take place regarding the viability of splitting the 20-credit module Gene to functionsince the University rules that all students should take a 20-credit module, and splitting would result in adding to student assessment load in January. The balance of modules across terms, possible inclusion of plant material, and core/option choices for Biochemistry and other specialist degrees also needed to be considered carefully; Gene to function is a module in the BCH PC remit.
ACTION: Proposals to be taken to BCH PC for discussion. Refer to Teaching Committee.
b)Stage 3 module sizes
It was noted that module sizes in stage 3 will be closely monitored and new modules may have an effect, therefore no action will be taken yet.
c)Stage 2 modules for Biomedical Sciences programme
- Understanding health and disease: The Committee noted that inter-departmental discussions are continuing, and that the synopsis would be referred to Ian Hitchcock for consideration.
- Human reproduction and development: Antje Kuhrs reported on discussions with Betsy Pownall and others; this module (previously known as Physiology, reproduction and development) would be taught mainly by Katie Smith, AntjeKuhrs, and Ian Hitchcock.
- 32I Skills – Cell signaling and microscopy: Sangeeta Chawla introduced the draft synopsis for this 5-credit module (mutually exclusive with Gonzalo Blanco’s module for Biology students). This BMS-slanted module focused on signaling and incorporating teaching of statistics was approved, though there was some concern that only 16 students could be accommodated.
The Committee noted that all modules using scopes needed to be flagged up on synopses, for Teaching Labs and Timetabler to ensure they can be accommodated.
ACTION: All BMS module organisers using scopes in practicals to specify on synopses; MvdW to raise at Teaching Committee and extend to all modules.
- 32I Skills – Flow cytometry: In Mark Coles’ absence the Committee considered the draft synopsis for this 5-credit module. Concerns were expressed over the timing of immunochemistry practicals since much of the preparation would have to be done by staff rather than students. Issues of cost for a small number of students were also raised.
ACTION: Marjan van der Woude to ask Mark Coles to revise synopsis and provide assessment details.
14/19Biomedical Sciences programme issues
a)Admissions
Paul Pryor and Antje Kuhrs reported that 74 applicants (including 20 overseas) were firm-accepts; 42 applicants (including 30 overseas) had yet to make decisions. A recording has been made from Open Day for use in recruitment.
b)M Biomed Sci and Year in Europe application
Gareth Evans reported that the application had been submitted, with decisions due from Planning Committee on 11 June and UTC on 23 June, for implementation in 2016/17. Stage 4 modules would be taken from Psychology, HYMS and Health Sciences as well as Biology. The Committee noted that BMS Development Group had proposed a progression rate of 60% from the 3-year to the 4-year programme.
c)Equipment
Marjan van der Woude reported that demonstrations of fluorescence microscopes had taken place; quotes were awaited and a decision would be taken shortly.
d)Textbook for BMS
Marjan van der Woude reported that, after discussion at BMS Development Group, Pocock was likely to be purchased for students.
e)Staffing issues
The Committee noted that talks/interviews for the Biology/Psychology neuroscience lectureship would be held 26/27 June; further staff searches would take place in the autumn term.
ACTION: All staff to note dates, and contact Calvin Dytham, Gareth Evans, Marjan van der Woude, James Moir with views on future staffing.
14/20Module synopses
Marjan van der Woude reminded all staff that module synopses should provide clear learning outcomes and integrate statistics teaching where appropriate.
ACTION: All staff to check synopses for 2015/16.
14/21Dates for next meetings
Future meetings of the Biomedical Sciences Programme Committee will be held as follows:
- Wednesday 22 October 2014 (afternoon)
- Friday 20 March 2015 (morning)
- Tuesday 12 May 2015 (morning)
By alternating days of the week/times of day it is hoped that more members will be able to attend at least some of the meetings.
/jew
9/6/14
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