This course gives you a wide understanding and knowledge of this exciting specialist field. You begin with a foundation in microbiology, cellular chemistry and anatomy before progressing to biochemistry and biotechnology; human health and environment; the application of biology in industry; and the impact of human population growth on our environment. In your final year, you develop your knowledge of the biochemical and biological mechanisms related to health and disease, exploring areas such as pathopharmacology, immunology, and cell and molecular biology.
The course also helps you evaluate and confidently discuss the ethical issues around biological developments like cloning and the Human Genome Project.
In your final year, you undertake your own research project, under the guidance of the Biological Science team, all of whom are actively involved in research themselves
Why choose this course?
- It’s a leading-edge course, exploring the impact of the latest advances in areas such as biotechnology and medicine
- You are taught in our state-of-the-art laboratories, within the University’s new, centrally placed STEM building
- Our Biological Science team has over 30 years’ experience and are involved in a range of research projects from environmental science and cancer treatment to biophysical analysis of proteins and drug interactions
- The course offers a broad-based training so you’ll graduate with key transferable skills like critical thinking, review writing, data interpretation and communication
- It opens up a variety of possible career paths, not only in science-related industries but in education, scientific sales and marketing, and technical media
Unit Information - What will I learn?
Units
- Cell Biology (BHS012-1) Compulsory
- Chemistry (BHS022-1) Compulsory
- Human Anatomy And Physiology (BHS004-1) Compulsory
- Microbiology And Biochemistry (BHS002-1) Compulsory
- Molecular Genetics (BHS016-1) Compulsory
- Skills In Biological Science (BHS019-1) Compulsory
- Animals And Plants In Crime (BHS046-2) Compulsory
- Biochemistry (BHS039-2) Compulsory
- Biotechnology (BHS031-2) Compulsory
- Ecology And Evolution (BHS043-2) Compulsory
- Environmental Change (BHS044-2) Compulsory
- Food Microbiology (BHS032-2) Compulsory
- Medical Physiology (BHS026-2) Compulsory
- Skills In Science (BHS022-2) Compulsory
- Applied Plant Science (BHS058-3) Compulsory
- Biological Science Research Project (BHS012-3) Compulsory
- Biology Of Disease (BHS064-3) Compulsory
- Biotechnology Innovations (BHS044-3) Compulsory
- Cellular Biology (BHS068-3) Compulsory
- Environmental Microbiology (BHS048-3) Compulsory
- Molecular Biology (BHS066-3) Compulsory
How will I be assessed?
The assessment philosophy of the Biological Science Award conforms to the recommendations of the QAA Benchmarking statement for Biosciences. It includes a range of assessment methods such as: - unseen examinations - essays - laboratory reports - project reports - analytical exercises - oral presentations - diaries and personal development plans - abstract writing journal article reviews. The Fields commitment to practical skills and the ability to communicate and interpret data through scientific report writing is emphasised at all levels of the Programme. As such, practical (laboratory) reports form a significant proportion of your assessment. Assessment throughout the later units, most notably in the Level 6 research project, will call upon you to develop abstract writing and journal review skills to promote critical thinking and integration of knowledge across the course units. The importance of oral communication skills is also acknowledged, as some units in Level 5 of the award require all students to undertake oral presentations as a part of the unit assessments. This is then continued in Level 6 units.
