Human Biosciences BSc (Hons)

at Coventry University

Why you should study this course

Our Human Biosciences BSc (Hons) course looks to enhance your understanding of how the human body functions in health and disease at the tissue, cell and molecular level. You will study topics at the forefront of scientific discovery such as genomics, neurophysiology, and communicable and non-communicable diseases.

• This course enables you to explore the current and emerging challenges to human health. It has been designed to inspire, guide and empower you to better understand the scientific basis of these global health challenges and to be able to contribute towards finding solutions. Whilst advancing technology and medical knowledge has brought undoubted benefits, it has equally brought new and rapidly emerging problems. We are facing new challenges due to modern 24-hour lifestyles, the impacts of climate change and environmental pollution, emerging infectious diseases, the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance and an increasingly ageing population. This course aims to equip you to assess and understand new scientific developments and to communicate effectively to diverse audiences, to encourage dialogue between the public, academics and policy makers to advance progress towards a healthier future for us all.
• This exciting degree can potentially lead to a range of research and health-related careers in biomedicine. The broad range of subjects covered include microbiology, molecular biology, medical genetics, cancer biology, physiology, cell biology and neuroscience. These subjects are of increasing importance in medical research and underpin the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.
• The course aims to enhance your understanding of how the human body functions in health and disease at the tissue, cell and molecular level, throughout the lifespan. We place great emphasis on the acquisition of broad human biosciences knowledge and practical expertise, which is most likely to be useful in your future career related to human biosciences.
• You will study in the state-of-the-art Alison Gingell Building which provides excellent facilities for teaching and research, featuring our Superlab with industry-standard equipment. Laboratory sessions form a substantial component of your learning experience, providing you with the opportunities to learn key experimental techniques and develop the essential experimental, data handling and reporting skills required in biological and other careers.
• You will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience of a wide range of laboratory techniques such as gene amplification using PCR, gene sequencing, cell culture, flow cytometry, tissue staining, protein detection and bacterial growth, in modern, well-equipped laboratories.
• You will have the opportunity to undertake challenging lab and non-lab based independent research projects, dealing with important life science research questions, which in the past have tackled, for example, the antimicrobial activity of essential oils, cinnamon and ginger against drug-resistant clinical pathogens or the effect of sleep deprivation on physiological and mental health in healthy young adults.
• In the final year you will focus on developing practical laboratory and additional scientific skills, such as literature researching, information technology, bioinformatics, data processing and the use of statistics.
• You also have the option to incorporate a year of appropriate work experience, in a variety of settings, or a year of study abroad, taken between years 2 and 3.* We also offer support applying for short and long-term placements in laboratory and industrial settings to gain the experience employers desire.
• The course provides many opportunities to enhance your study experience. During integrated enhancement weeks scheduled each year, there may be the chance to take part in UK international field trips*, or opportunities to improve particular skills and competencies and to explore career options. If you are unable to take part in international field trips you will have alternative intercultural opportunities available on campus, such as extended group projects linking with field trip groups.
• We offer research-inspired teaching with input from experts in our university research centres, which focus on the themes of cellular and molecular biosciences; biological systems, health and disease; and physical activity, exercise and obesity. Our current course team benefits from extensive links with employers, such as the NHS, university research labs, public health laboratories and biotech companies, such as Binding Site.

What you'll study
The first year of the course is shared with other biosciences courses (Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) and Pharmacology BSc (Hons) and provides underpinning knowledge, laboratory and data analysis skills relevant for Human Biosciences. This shared approach allows you to appreciate a diversity of applications and roles for biosciences and to gain a broad understanding of the subject area.

You will cover key areas and acquire laboratory skills in physiology in health and disease, cell and molecular biology, biochemistry and microbiology.

Modules

• Human Physiology from Cells to Systems - 20 credits

• Genotype to Phenotype - 20 credits

• Structure, Function and Analysis of Biomolecules - 20 credits

• Academic and Professional Development for Life Sciences - 0 credits

• Enzymes and Metabolism - 10 credits

• The Microbial World - 20 credits

• Drugs, Receptors and Responses - 10 credits

• Professional Practice for Life Scientists - 10 credits

• Add+vantage module - 10 credits

Year two
In the second year of study, you will focus on human health and disease, to understand the complexity of interactions at the molecular, cellular, organismal and inter-organismal levels in normal and disease states. You will develop your communication skills and put these into practice to engage lay audiences in scientific challenges.

Modules

• Human Physiology: Health and Homeostasis - 20 credits

• Microorganisms in Human Health and Disease - 20 credits

• Human Genetic Diversity - 10 credits

• Gut Microbiota in Human Health and Disease - 10 assessment credits

• Neurophysiology - 10 credits

• The Immune System in Health and Disease - 20 credits

• Modern Lifestyles, Health and Disease - 20 credits

• Group Research Project - 10 credits

• Add+vantage module - 10 credits

Final year
The final year considers global health challenges, exploring in detail both infectious and non-communicable diseases facing modern populations around the world. You will work with your colleagues on real world case studies and practical laboratory investigations. You will also carry out an independent research project linked to one of the areas of your interest.

Modules

• Metabolic Non-Communicable Diseases - 20 credits

• Infectious Disease: Present and Future Challenges - 20 credits

• Multimorbidity: An Emerging Health Challenge - 0 credits

• Research Design for Human Biosciences - 10 credits

• Biology of Human Ageing - 20 credits

• Genomics, Disease and Personalised Therapy - 20 credits

• Independent Project in Human Biosciences - 20 credits

• Add+vantage module - 10 credits