| Project management | Project management requires effective planning, and management of resources to bring about the successful completion of project objectives. | Your project will be the main opportunity to develop this skill, but you may also manage smaller projects in some lecture units, within the Manchester Leadership Programme, or within the role of PASS leader or PASS co-ordinator. |
| Problem solving | Grasp what needs to be done and reach a satisfactory solution to a problem. | The tutorials will include practice of problem solving in preparation for data handling in practical write-ups and the final programme specific problem paper. |
| Cultural sensitivity/awareness | Experience of interacting with individuals from a range of different backgrounds and ability to adapt your approach to suit the needs of the people you are working with. | We have a diverse staff and student body so you are likely to interact with individuals from a range of backgrounds during our tutorials and project, or as an ambassador or PASS leader. The MLP and any volunteering you undertake ( see http://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/experience/student-life/university/volunteering/) provide opportunities to work within the local community, which is also diverse. |
| Leadership skills | Proven ability to lead a team effectively. | You may have the opportunity to act as a leader within your project or as a senior ambassador, but if not can seek the opportunity in a final year discussion group, in the MLP or as a PASS Leader. Good listening skills are essential to this role |
| Innovation/Creativity | Being able to come up with new ideas, approaches and solutions.Thinking ‘outside the box’ and being able to suggest new/improved ways of doing things. | You will have the opportunity to be innovative in terms of your approach to topics, ideas for GBLs in tutorials, mini projects and in how you present your work and overcome problems. Your main opportunity to improve these skills will be in your final year project |
| Written Communication | Being able to use correct spelling,grammar and punctuation. Effectively organising your ideas and communicating these in a coherent manner. | Throughout your degree you will develop your written communication skills through your assignments such as essays, dissertation and project write ups. |
Transferable Skills developed through your tutorials and other units
Ability to articulate what you have to offer. Reflect on the skills you have gained throughout your tutorials and other units AND develop good communication skills so that you can talk about your skills and provide evidence that you have them to potential employers.
Reflection Update your Employability Skills Record on the intranet
Communication Skills Oral presentations (tutorials; some lecture units; lab meetings)Essays (tutorials; many lecture units)Debate (some tutorials; some lecture units)
Self awareness Know what your skills, strengths and weaknesses are and have examples of how and when you have demonstrated this knowledge. When you have completed a task (e.g. formal presentation, essay, exam) reflect on your performance, write examples and state what you intend to do differently next time in your Employability Skills Record.
Self-management Effectively manage your time and complete work within deadlines. Your final year project will hone this skill, and will need to fit in with all your other demands, such as coursework essays, reading for lecture units.
Self efficacy Belief in your capabilities to achieve a goal or an outcome effectively. If you have a strong sense of self efficacy you are more likely to challenge yourself with difficult tasks and be intrinsically motivated. You will be supported to undertake challenging activities, successful completion of which should boost your self efficacy, especially your project, but also essays on unfamiliar topics, individual and/or team presentations.
Self esteem/confidence Have a good opinion of yourself and confidence in your abilities. You will have the opportunity to rise to the challenges provided by completing independent work to deadlines (eg dissertation) and to learn from constructive criticism (eg tutorials; discussion groups and feedback from Academic Tutors/project supervisor).
Critical thinking Able to analyse an idea or a piece of work objectively and weigh up its strengths and weaknesses. Recognise your own biases and be open to new ideas if evidence supports them. Essays, and oral presentations will include structured presentations of a logical argument. In tutorials you will read and critically analyse primary literature in preparation for your dissertation, and will present your work in oral and written form.
Teamwork Proven ability to work well within a team AND an understanding of the role you
take within a team.Most projects and tutorial activities involve some teamwork, some final year lecture units also do, so you should take different roles such that you experience as many as possible and reflect on your strengths and development needs.
Research skills This may refer to researching literature, searching databases, identifying appropriate resources and extracting key information or may refer to practical scientific research.
Research is also an important skill when looking for and applying for jobs. You will have the opportunity to carry out research throughout your degree. You should do extra reading around your lectures including reading recent primary literature and review articles. Research will be required for essays, your dissertation and literature review. Your main opportunity for research will be during your final year project.
Numeracy Being able to work with numbers is a key skill and may range from basic mental arithmetic to being able to analyse and interpret data. Data Handling modules and most practicals/projects are designed to help you develop your numerical skills and ability to use statistics. Numerical skills are required in your lab work to work out concentrations and dilutions and to calculate whether results are statistically significant.
Presentation skills Proven ability to communicate your ideas both visually and orally. You will undertake presentations in tutorials, field courses and as part of your final year projects. Becoming an ambassador, PASS leader or student rep gives you further opportunity to develop your presentation skills.