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The 1998-99 course was evaluated by 7 of 10 students using the Nominal Group technique. Briefly, the students generated and then prioritised statements in response to two questions:

How might the course be strengthened?

What are the strengths of the course?

The results are shown below. The scores are arbitrary numbers, but represent the relative importance of the statements on the basis of votes by the students.

	How might the course be strengthened?
	Statement	Total
1	Independent TACS sessions for Molecular Biology	82
2	TACS exam does not reflect TACS sessions	81
3	Move lectures from Donnan seminar room	72
4	Change 1LH38 to a Mol Biol techniques course	70
5	Less Genetics standard courses, more Molecular Biology	63
6	More feedback on progress	55
7	Make computer sessions more appropriate to learning needs of Mol Biol students	54
8	Increase gap between Xmas break and exams	44
9	Too much material in half-point units	42
10	Start projects earlier	37
11	Optional modules also in semester 1	29
12	Fewer lecturers present for project talks	28
13	Handouts need to be more professional	25
14	More communication between Honours courses (rearr. classes)	23
15	Content of virology module repetitive of 2LS38 (no Mol Biol)	22
16	Provide more experience of writing	21
17	Cite fewer and more relevant references	18
18	More information about Molecular Biology course in previous years	15
19	More group activities (intra- and extra-mural)	15
20	Less emphasis on cancer of breast, ovary and cervix	12
	What are the strengths of the course?
	Statement	Total
1	Timing and organisation of assessments and assessment deadlines	88
2	TACS sessions tailored for Mol Biol (BFF and BRB) excellent	80
3	Local provision of references	72
4	Project provides good experience of techniques	68
5	Overlap of subject matter between some units	67
6	Effective leadership by course Director	61
7	Guest seminars on Mol Biol & Business and Genetic Counselling	60
8	Finishing lectures before Easter	60
9	Availability of choices	57
10	Greater weighting of January exams	43
11	1LH1E unit good grounding for 2LH1H	37
12	Cancer course (2LH1H) very relevant to humans	22
13	Computer modelling of DNA etc. in lectures	21

The conclusions have been addressed as below:

1. The changes we have made in response to concerns about the timing of deadlines around the January exams, the distribution of workload, and the provision of special Mol Biol sessions have been well-received. Further changes along the same lines are being made for 1999-2000 session (see below).
   
2. There are still suggestions that the students would like more material tailored to Molecular Biologists alone. This year, the Molecular Biologists will have more TACS sessions specifically for them, as well as a series of tutorials as a group. This will also help to provide more feedback and practice at writing and speaking.
   
3. It is now clear that the problems caused to the students by January exams have largely been solved. Although it is not in the School's control to alter the timing of the exams, as a further improvement this year, the last week of the 1st semester will be left free of lectures to allow students more revision time.
   
4. The content of course 1LH38 (now BIOL322) has attracted some criticism in the last two years. However, the Board of Studies, and the External Examiner are satisfied that the course merits inclusion as core Molecular Biology, and so no changes have been made to this course.

The Director would be grateful for any further comments or suggestions students or staff may have concerning the results of this exercise.

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