Assignment Brief

Assignment submission Marks and feedback

Assessment deadline Marks and feedback

To be submitted Before 10 a.m. on: 20 working days after deadline (L3,4, 5,6 and 7)
15 working days after deadline (block delivery)

18/07/2025 15/08/2025

Please note, for Exams the date is arranged centrally aligned to the academic calendar. Exams timetables will be released 6 weeks before the exam
period. Please check the exams calendar regularly on this link (requires BREO login).

Key assignment details

Unit title & code Microbiology and Biochemistry. BHS002-1
Assignment number & title Assignment 2: Microbiology Laboratory Report Resit
Assignment type (including exams) WR-LAB
Weighting of assignment 25%
Size or length of assessment or exam 1000 words
duration
Unit learning outcomes 1. Demonstrate an understanding of, and explain the theoretical concepts underpinning, practical
aspects of microbiology and biochemistry, with an emphasis on understanding the techniques used.
2. Present, analyse and interpret experimental data and clearly communicate your findings in
writing.

Assignment Brief Discussion with Students

 Completing your assignment

What am I required to do in this assignment?

If you received less than 40% for your BHS002-1 assessment 2 (Microbiology lab report) or received mitigation for the assessment, then you need to
complete this referral assignment. In completing this referral, students must pay careful attention to feedback they received on any earlier
submission, especially that concerning the use of others’ text and plagiarism. Students must also ensure that all sections of the report are
completed. If any aspect of previous feedback is unclear, students are encouraged to seek guidance from their academic supervisor.

THIS REFERRAL TASK IS DIFFERENT TO THE ORIGINAL ASSESSMENT TASK. ENSURE YOU READ THIS BRIEF CAREFULLY.

For this referral, an answer should be submitted for each of the short answer questions available in the accompanying document. These questions
are based on the essential components of the three practical classes and signify aspects that should have been included in the original practical
portfolio submission.

It is expected that your submission will be in the form of appropriately constructed sentences and paragraphs (5% of grade attributed to language use
& presentation quality). Single word answers or bullet point statements are not sufficient. Please separate your response for each section, using the
same sub-headings given below and the individual question numbers, to ensure that appropriate credit is given for all answers.

There should be a single reference section listing all references cited in both parts of the report. Appropriate academic references are expected to be
cited in text and listed in a single reference list: You should include peer-reviewed scientific journal articles or textbooks as sources. These should be
listed in the correct University of Bedfordshire Harvard Referencing format in a single reference list (see here for details: https://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/a-
guide-to-referencing/ https://citethemrightonline.com/). The reference list should only contain sources that have been cited appropriately - e.g.
(Smith, 2010) - in the main text of your report. Students are reminded of their responsibilities concerning academic integrity and that plagiarism (the
use of others’ words, published or unpublished, and failing to acknowledge the influence of another’s work or attribute quotes to the author) is a
serious academic offence. This is an individual assessment, so collusion is also an academic offence.
Each section of questions has a specific weighting (proportion of the total grade) associated with it. These are as follows:
Topic Proportion of total grade Criteria assessed
Aseptic technique 5% Quality of understanding and analysis of scientific
principles and knowledge base
Streak plate method 5% Quality of understanding and analysis of scientific
principles and knowledge base
Escherichia coli 10% Quality of understanding and analysis of scientific
principles and knowledge base
Selective and differential 5% Quality of understanding and analysis of scientific
growth media principles and knowledge base
Contamination 5% Critical evaluation and discussion
Gram stain 5% Critical evaluation and discussion
Serial dilution & spread plate 5% Quality of understanding and analysis of scientific
principles and knowledge base
Yakult 5% Quality of understanding and analysis of scientific
principles and knowledge base
CFU ml-1 15% Data handling and presentation
Identification of bacteria – API 10% Quality of understanding and analysis of scientific
20E principles and knowledge base
+
Critical evaluation and discussion
Identification of bacteria – 10% Critical evaluation and discussion
significance of species
identified
Identification of bacteria – 10% Critical evaluation and discussion
 16S rRNA gene sequencing +
Critical evaluation and discussion
Overall – language use & 5% Written expression and structure
presentation
Overall – references 5% Use of literature and referencing

Each section will be marked on a percentage scale according to the University of Bedfordshire regulations.
Feedback comments will be provided through BREO on the date specified with grades.

This assessment should be submitted via BREO by the deadline mentioned above. Failure to submit your report to BREO by the deadline without approval from the
mitigation team will result in a FAIL grade.

What do I need to do to pass? How do I achieve a good grade?

The Unit Information Form states the Threshold Expectations that inform both you and markers what is the minimum needed to be demonstrated to pass the
assessment. They should, therefore, answer the question "What do I need to do pass?”. During the assessment introductory session, you should be given the
opportunity to check your understanding of the threshold statements and what you need to do to surpass them.

The assessment marking criteria listed below show how your work is assessed. The assessment criteria are informed by the unit’s learning outcomes and the
assessment task. Carefully reading the assessment criteria should help you understand the aspects that will be used to judge your progress and achievement of the
learning outcomes and offer guidance on “how do I achieve a good grade”.

To pass this assessment, you will need to:

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of relevant laboratory techniques and principles in microbiology including structure and function of microbes and their
relevance to human health
• Show basic written communication skills suitable for a scientific audience
• Communicate clearly and legibly in writing for academic assessors

How does this assignment relate to ‘my learning in this unit and help me develop knowledge and skills that I will need for my future?
Support for this assessment is given via the briefing prior to the assessment due date, as well as the lectures and lab practical sessions and tutorials. General
writing support is available centrally through Study Hub. Support for literature searching and use of learning resources can be provided by the departmental
librarian (Janine Bhandol: [email protected]). Further support for this assessment can be obtained by arranging an appointment with Dr Taiwo A. Shittu
– [email protected]. Also, this assessment underpins all the lectures covered in this unit. In addition, the knowledge and understanding from this
assessment can be use appropriately in a wider discussion.

Within the University of Bedfordshire, graduate competencies refer to the skills, knowledge, attributes, and abilities that individuals are expected to possess upon
completing their education at the graduate level. Our graduate competencies are the fundamental building blocks in preparing you for the future world of work. They
form the foundation for learning outcomes within and beyond your course. They are relevant for every subject, and you can work towards them in different ways, so
that you can attain and benefit from them even if you have lots going on outside university. These competencies will be integrated across your course and units.

The table below indicates graduate competencies gained relevant to this assessment.

Graduate competencies; Tick (✔) ones relevant to this assessment (further

guidance for staff Graduate competencies | University of Bedfordshire (beds.ac.uk)
Digital Literacy ✔
Collaboration and Communication ✔
Problem solving and critical thinking ✔
Creativity and Entrepreneurship ✔
Adaptability and Resilience ✔
Global Citizenship ✔
Course specific competencies. ✔
Environmental sample collections, Samples
and processing, Microbial isolation,
microbiological techniques, sequencing,
basic bioinformatics, lab practice and
infection control

What should I be aware of when preparing my and how and where should I submit my work? (May need wiseflow info for exams)
When submitting work for assessment, you must ensure that it is all your own work. Failure to do this could result in sanctions, including removal from your course.
The Academic Integrity Resource (AIR) has been designed to introduce you to academic integrity and how to demonstrate this during your studies.

You MUST NOT copy any text from any sources, even if you cite the source – you must write about what you have read in your own words. - this is very important.
Students are reminded of their responsibilities concerning academic integrity and that plagiarism (the use of others’ words, published or unpublished, and failing to
acknowledge the influence of another’s work or attribute quotes to the author) and taking external help in report writing is a serious academic offence. This is an
individual assessment, so collusion is also an academic offence.
The University provides access to Studiosity that connects students with a team of writing specialists who are here to help you with writing and core skills -
anytime, anywhere. Studiosity provides you with two online services: Writing Feedback and Connect Live. Their Writing Feedback gives feedback on referencing,
choice of language, structure and spelling/grammar within 24 hours. If you are not sure how to use the feedback to enhance your work before making a final
submission, you can arrange to discuss this with a member of the Study Hub team. Connect Live also offers live support in areas such as basic English, maths and
stats, science and generic study skills. Both services are available 24/7, 365 days of the year, and you can access them for FREE via BREO.

Any part of this assessment should not be generated or produce using of the AI tools (AI generative) including Grammarly. If more than 15% of this report is
highlighted to have been generated using an AI software, this will be treated as a suspected academic offense and the student shall be invited for a voice viva in
accordance to the University guidelines.

The report will be marked according to the attached marking guidelines, which describe our expectations in relation to the assessment. It will be marked using the
University of Bedfordshire simplified percentage marking scheme. Written feedback will be provided via BREO within three weeks of the deadline. Grades will be
released via e-Vision. Additional feedback can be sought by arranging a meeting with the Unit coordinator to discuss your work. If you do not feel that your feedback
has helped you to understand how you can improve your work, please ask for further guidance.

How will my assignment be marked?

Your assignment will be marked according to the threshold expectations and the criteria on the following page.

You can use them to evaluate your own work and consider your grade before you submit.

40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70%+

(3rd Class) (2:2) (2:1) (1st Class)
Threshold Standard

Satisfactory understanding of Good understanding of the Very good understanding Excellent understanding of the
the scientific principles and scientific principles and of the scientific principles scientific principles and
Understanding knowledge base. Some knowledge base. A and knowledge base. knowledge base. Broader context
(40%) attempt to explain aim and reasonable attempt to explain Demonstrates an of study clearly described.
approach. aim and approach. appreciation of the Experimental aim and approach
broader context of study. logical and well defined.
 Experimental aim and
approach are well defined.
Data analysis is minimal. Data analysis is mostly Data analysis is complete Data analysis is accurate,
Presentation is acceptable complete with some errors or but with some errors. thorough and complete.
but with minimal explanatory omissions. Presentation is Presentation is clear and Presentation is clear and
Data
text. Satisfactory generally clear and appropriate. Clear appropriate. Clear explanation of
Presentation
understanding of what has appropriate. Good explanation of what is what is presented is given.
(20%)
been presented/analysed. understanding of what has presented is given. Very Excellent understanding of data
presented/analysed. Good understanding of analysis shown.
data analysis shown.
Satisfactory evaluation of Good evaluation of scientific Very good evaluation of Excellent evaluation of scientific
scientific problems and some problems and makes links scientific problems and problems and makes evaluative
Evaluation attempt to link to previously between the scientific makes evaluative links links between the scientific
(30%) published scientific literature. literature and the work in between the scientific literature and the work in hand.
hand. literature and the work in
hand.
Written expression is difficult Written expression is Written expression is clear Written expression is clear and
Written to follow but understandable. understandable without and concise. Primary concise. A broad range of
expression, A limited range of sources undue difficulty. Secondary sources are accessed. primary sources are accessed.
use of accessed. In-text citations sources accessed. In-text Correct UoB Harvard style Correct UoB Harvard style
literature and and references are present citations are used formatting of citations and formatting of citations and
referencing but incorrectly formatted. appropriately and UoB reference list, but with somereference list.
(10%) Harvard style format is used errors
but inconsistently.
Please note that the final grade will be for the assessment as a whole and not a simple sum of component weightings.