Recent advances in marine microbiology - a selection of critical evaluations of research papers
Date
2009Author
Munn, C.
Guy, H.
Phillips, G.
Robertson, E.
Subject
marine Recent Advances Critical Evaluations Marine Microbiology ecology DNA research students coursework
Metadata
Show full item recordDescription
This collection of articles features examples of coursework submitted by three
students taking the module BIOL3309 „Marine Microbiology – Ecology &
Applications‟ as part of the BSc Hons Marine Biology degree at Plymouth. In this
module, students discuss recent research papers in regular seminars, and keep a
portfolio of critical evaluations of papers that they have studied. This subject is
arguably one of the fastest moving fields in marine science and recent discoveries,
made possible by the application of new techniques (especially metagenomics and
rapid DNA sequencing) have revolutionized our understanding of ocean processes
and the interactions of microbes with other marine life. Thus, students taking this
module are encouraged to monitor the latest issues of journals and to select papers
of their own choice, so that they gain an appreciation of the most recent advances.
Students are provided with detailed advice on approaches to studying scientific
literature and are given a template to structure their evaluations. There are no hard
and fast rules on the style of evaluations or the number of papers or the level of
detail needed, but students obtaining top grades normally submit detailed analyses
of at least 2 or 3 papers in each of the 5 or 6 major themes of the course. The value
of this assignment is appreciated by most students, although it is considered by
some to be onerous, as evidenced in these representative comments from other
students taking the module.
Citation
Munn, C., Guy, H., Phillips, G., and Robertson, E. (2009) 'Recent advances in marine microbiology - a selection of critical evaluations of research papers', The Plymouth Student Scientist, p. 303-320.
Publisher
University of Plymouth
Journal
The Plymouth Student Scientist
Volume
2
Issue
2
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