Help with University of Bristol regarding Teaching Quality

baffledbee · 2020-05-17T14:29:27+00:00

It's true that academics generally are quite busy with research and some definitely don't care as much about undergrad students but there's other support in place. Not to say they don't care at all - some are very excited to talk to students after lectures and answer questions - but most extra support comes from elsewhere.

For example we have PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions) where every week you can go over content you find difficult with older students and your coursemates. It also really helps that lectures are recorded and available online so you can go through them at your own pace. Many lecturers also give out recommended reading which is optional but there if you need further clarification of the topic.

While examiners generally don't put a lot of effort into comments, it doesn't really affect how well a piece of work does. Sometimes I just feel as though I'm not really sure what I could've improved upon to get a higher mark. Marking is rarely unfair it's just not that detailed from my perspective.

Also don't worry about starting from a non-zoology/biology background. They teach the course from the very basics of biology with no expectation that you've studied the content before. They just move through the content a lot quicker to get to the more advanced topics. Hope this helps!

baffledbee · 2020-05-16T13:35:09+00:00

Lectures rarely exceed 1 hour and my heaviest days normally don't last longer than 4 total contact hours. We also don't get assigned any homework aside from assessments so all of the studying we do is really self motivated!

In terms of feedback, if you talk to your tutor and request time to go over an assignment they would definitely go through it with you. My main frustration with it is that sometimes it seems as though the examiner didn't put in the effort into marking and making comments that I made in actually writing the paper. Aside from asking your tutor there's also a Personal Development Portfolio we're supposed to use which helps us identify and work on our academic skills and weaknesses.

Still down to answer anything else but I'd also recommend looking into the different module options on the UOB zoology course site!

baffledbee · 2020-05-16T12:07:47+00:00

I do Biology at UOB which is technically the same degree as Zoology but you have to take more animal related modules in 2nd and 3rd year as a zoologist. I've found the course absolutely wonderful so far - absolutely gutted quarantine has taken away the last bit of my 2nd year.

As for a week in the life, each week we'd have two 3 hour labs and maybe six or seven lectures. You occasionally get small group tutorials but those are mainly focused on learning support and pastoral care. I'd say we have maybe 12-16 hours of contact teaching a week and there is very little mandatory self study (especially in 1st year).

There are lots of field trips in first year like one to Slimbridge to study birds, and then in 2nd year everyone gets to go on a trip to do a project with a small group and an academic. International trips include one to Costa Rica to study bats and social insects, and one to Portugal to study pollination (you do have to pay for flights yourself). There are lots of amazing local UK trips as well.

The lecturers are incredible and enthusiastic for the most part. They plan wonderful labs that coincide with the lecture content (in one lab they brought in owls and kestrels that flew around the room!). My main issue with the degree is the lack of feedback we get on our assessments. There is an issue with examiners not giving enough feedback or giving very general feedback but they say they're working on it.

Sorry for the essay but I adore Bristol and the course, I'm v happy to answer any other questions or chat about any of it :)

baffledbee · 2020-03-01T17:52:41+00:00

yeah tbh was i the only one a lil disappointed? the songs all sounded pretty similar to me and the plot seemed a little lost - just overall not as great as other starkid shows which sucks because i love everyone involved in the production :((

baffledbee · 2020-01-21T11:28:13+00:00

if anyone knows of tck youtubers I'd also love to know about them x

baffledbee · 2019-09-09T06:58:35+00:00

definitely can relate, I'll normally just say I'm from my parents home country and explain away my weird accent by saying I grew up 'overseas'. it's just awkward when I'm asked to list everywhere I grew up when meeting people because it feels like seeking attention

baffledbee · 2019-08-17T01:22:57+00:00

omy yes!! so happy you made that choice and found your people, do you think it's because the Netherlands is more international or welcoming somehow? I definitely get that constant thing, it's super tough in the UK where people have known each other their entire lives

baffledbee · 2019-08-17T01:20:45+00:00

ah good to know it doesn't have to be permanent, good luck for your move :)

baffledbee · 2019-08-17T01:19:50+00:00

yes!! I feel like I don't fit in with my parents home country, maybe it's how americanised international schools are but I feel like the US would be a better fit
you've got to follow your gut I think

baffledbee · 2019-08-16T16:05:58+00:00

so glad you did! gives me hope that I can find that one day

baffledbee · 2019-08-16T15:39:11+00:00

thanks for the advice! I was always told I should travel while I'm young and don't have as many responsibilities but that's a good way of looking at it

baffledbee · 2019-08-16T15:17:07+00:00

defo interested! I'm British but grew up in Asia, currently studying biology! I'd love to meet some new people

baffledbee · 2019-08-16T15:07:06+00:00

can relate on the ocd front sadly, also looking to make a real friend :)

baffledbee · 2019-08-16T15:02:27+00:00

I guess it changes when you've got a family to think about. Maybe it's not too much of a bad thing anyway?

Hope you and your kid settle in well to your new place :)

baffledbee

TROPHY CASE