MODULES
Foundation Year
CORE MODULES
Essential Skills for Higher Education (Mental Wealth)
The module aims to enable you to develop the range of essential skills required to complete your academic studies successfully and to enhance your employment prospects. You will develop your skills in academic reading and writing, gathering and evaluating information, and critical thinking. You will perform various individual and group activities, including presentations on topics relevant to your degree studies, enhancing your social awareness and team work skills as well as core communication skills.
Essential Maths & ICT
This module will provide you with fundamental knowledge and practical skills in basic maths, data presentation, and the IT skills. The development of these essential skills will help you to successfully complete further academic studies and enhance your employment prospects. Topics of study will include working with numbers, practical applied maths, basic statistics, data presentation and applied IT skills training in Microsoft office.
Human Biology
Within this module you will develop an understanding of the basic anatomical structures in the human body and physiological principles and processes underpinning their function. You will explore key areas such as the cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, and musculoskeletal system and the coordination of these systems in the maintenance of bodily homeostasis and human health.
Career & Professional Skills (Mental Wealth)
The module aims to develop your life and professional skills, enhance your employment prospects and progression, as well as the academic and subject specific skills which are required for further study. You will actively seek and engage with various digital platforms (e.g., LinkedIn), University services and external institutions that will offer you opportunities, to explore, evaluate, learn and participate in activities that enhance your professional skills and reflect on how to plan your career. Academic staff in the various degree programmes and career coaches at UEL will advise and support you on professional skills, career prospects and developments.
Introduction to the Study of Cells
The module aims to provide you with a basic introduction to how different biological and biochemical processes function within cells. You will study the structure and biochemistry of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, cell metabolism, cell division as well as the principles of genetic variation. After completing this module you will have gained a suitable foundation for further studies in the biological and chemical sciences.
Chemistry of Life
This module will provide you with a foundation in the theoretical and experimental aspects of chemistry that underpin many topics in chemistry and biosciences. You will study basic principles of chemistry such as the periodic table, molecular structure and chemical bonding, organic and biological chemistry, nomenclature of carbon molecules and the structures and functions of the building blocks of life, environmental chemistry, pollutants and toxins on our environment and health.
Year 1
CORE MODULES
Professional Practice in Science (Mental Wealth)
This module will introduce you to the different approaches to teaching, learning and assessment in a Higher Education setting focusing on core skills required for the bioscience and chemistry programs. This will support you in your 'transition' from school, college or the work place towards degree level study. The module will have at its core the key academic, employability and transferable skills of English for academic writing, ICT, numeracy in biological and chemical sciences, statistics, basic laboratory techniques, presentation, and personal development and study skills.
In parallel themes in personal development such as the understanding of key attributes and topics in emotional, social, cognitive and physical intelligence that are important for careers in biosciences and chemistry professions related to a student's programme of study.
Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry
The module aims to enable you to develop a knowledge and understanding of the synthesis, reaction, theoretical and practical techniques underpinning the fundamentals of organic chemistry. You will also develop an understanding of chemical chirality and its clinical significance in pharmaceuticals and other industrial applications.
Cell Biology
Within this module you will develop a working knowledge, definitions concepts and practical skills that support the understanding of the structure and function of the dynamic cell. This includes topics in cell architecture, organelles, cell cycle, division, intra and extracellular signalling events, differentiation and specialisation of cells and the evolution of cell structures.
Fundamentals in Human Anatomy and Physiology
This module will enable you to consolidate your competence in specified areas of human anatomy and physiology including the structure, function, neurological and hormonal control of the human body, its component parts and major systems (musculoskeletal, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, renal, urogenital, nervous, endocrine) and their relationship to each other. You will also be introduced to basic laboratory techniques and methods of functional assessment for physiological processes in humans.
Introduction to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
This module will give students a working knowledge of the definitions, terms and concepts used in biochemistry and molecular biology, and some of the main processes that occur in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Areas of study will include chemical principles relevant to biological systems, the structure and function of biological molecules (RNA, DNA, proteins etc.), the processes underpinning cellular metabolism and its control. Students will develop and demonstrate their competence in a variety of practical laboratory techniques, focusing on enzyme catalysed reactions as well as develop an understanding of how these theoretical concepts and practical techniques overlap with other related disciplines.
Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry
The module aims to enable you to develop a knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of analytical, mathematical and quantification techniques underpinning all aspects of chemistry.
OPTIONAL MODULES
Level 4 Short Work Placement
This module is designed to give you an opportunity to develop professional skills and experience within the workplace. It will also help you to establish a range of professional contacts that have the potential to be useful both for project work and assisting in finding employment after graduation.
Year 2
CORE MODULES
Infection & Immunity
This module will provide you with a basic understanding of selected topics in medical microbiology, immunology, epidemiology and disease prevention. In the first part of the module the microbes and the consequences of microbial infection on their hosts will be explored. In the second part the development, structure and mechanisms of action of the components of the immune system; innate, acquired immunity, immune effector functions and vaccines will be explored. Theoretical concepts are reinforced through laboratory practical sessions which will introduce you to diagnostic microbiological and basic immunological techniques and data analysis.
Fundamental & Experimental Pharmacology
Within this module you will learn to communicate a body of factual information, and engender an understanding of such knowledge, as it pertains to modern pharmacology. You will cover topics in basic pharmacology, drug targets, neurotransmitters, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, autacoids. You will also develop competencies in a range of practical techniques relating to pharmacology in areas relating to the investigation of drug action and drug selectivity.
Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery
Within this module you will gain an appreciation of dosage forms, their formulations, manufacturing and quality attributes. The module will also introduce you to the various processes required to turn a new chemical substance into a medication that can be used safely and effectively by patients. You will also obtain an in-depth knowledge of the methods that are used in the pharmaceutical industry for the manufacturing of drugs and their quality control.
Research & Career Development - Mental Wealth
This module is structured to offer you reflective, integrated components in which different scientific disciplines and specialities belonging to their and other programmes of study (such pathobiology, clinical laboratory practice, disease treatment, synthetic chemistry, drug design and manufacture, etc.) are discussed in a system-led approach to develop professional competencies required in carrying out independent laboratory work in a professional setting.
This includes developing your understanding of different investigative techniques both within and outside of your programme of study, reading and interpreting scientific literature, generic research skills and understanding professional and regulatory benchmarks (ie ethics, governance) within the sector. You will also develop practical skills such as recording, evaluating and presenting results to different types of audiences. While development of sector specific scientific skills is the focus of this module, you will also in parallel develop key transferable skills which will help you thrive in a variety of other sectors.
Drug, Discovery, Development and Regulation
This module will introduce you to the drug discovery and development process. You will become familiar with how research within academia and the pharmaceutical industry contribute to this multidisciplinary process. You will also be introduced to the regulatory processes involved in testing, licensing, market and surveillance for existing and new drugs.
Organic Mechanisms of Synthesis
The module aims to enable you to develop an expertise in implementing the drug synthesis, reaction, theoretical and practical techniques underpinning the core principles of organic chemistry. This will include the rational for various protecting group strategies and consolidating disconnection approaches in the context of drug synthesis.
OPTIONAL MODULES
Level 5 Short Work Placement
This module is designed to give you an opportunity to develop professional skills and experience within the workplace. It will also help you to establish a range of professional contacts that have the potential to be useful both for project work and assisting in finding employment after graduation.
OPTIONAL MODULES
Year Long Placement (Sandwich Year)
This module is designed to give you an opportunity to develop professional skills and experience within the workplace. It also enables you to apply knowledge and skills in the competent performance of tasks required by a scientist. Furthermore, it helps you to establish a range of professional contacts that have the potential to be useful both for project work and assisting in finding employment after graduation.
Year 3
CORE MODULES
Natural Products and Discovery
Within this module you will develop an in-depth understanding of the chemistry of natural products, the process involved in drug design and development using lead compounds derived from these sources. You will also evaluate the processes by which medicinal plants and other sources of natural products are cultivated, harvested, stored and processed including factors such as microbial contamination or adulteration and the impact of quality assurance for phytopharmaceuticals and complementary therapies. You will critically evaluate the chemistry, synthetic steps and challenges involved in manufacturing compounds originating from natural sources for research and commercial purposes.
Medicinal Chemistry
This module aims to enable you to understand and critically evaluate the core principles of medicinal chemistry in relation to drug structure and biological activity, also to appreciate the process involved in rational drug design and development of drug products. Topics will include empirical and rational approaches to lead discovery, lead optimisation, QSAR and toxicological prediction and testing. You will also gain hands on experience with different aspects of lead compound development from identification, synthesis to optimisation.
Application of Analytical Techniques in Pharmaceutical Quality Control
This module is industry-focused and will allow you to implement an integrated knowledge of spectrophotometric and chromatographic techniques for industry standard quality control of chemical precursors, raw materials for manufacturing processes and pharmaceutical products. After you complete the module you will be able to critically justify, adapt and apply analytical techniques currently used in pharmaceutical, biotechnology and other related sectors. This will place you in a good position to successfully compete for jobs within this vibrant and expanding sector.
Research Project and Career Enhancement Portfolio (Mental Wealth)
During this capstone module you will integrate and apply the knowledge and practical skills you have learned through your degree programme in two activities. The first is the honours level independent research project (honours dissertation) focused on generation and interpretation data in a topic area centred within your programme of study.
The second is the development of a career enhancement portfolio where you will be able to assess and hone your key transferable skill sets in preparation for successfully achieving your desired postgraduate destinations.
Biopharmaceuticals
This module will provide you with a deep understanding of biopharmaceuticals and the key successes and challenges underlaying their development and use. Topics including lead development, validation, basic compound production, generic delivery barriers, formulation strategies (both clinically proven and emerging) will be covered with an emphasis on successful products that have been introduced into clinical use. Case studies encompassing the use of therapeutic peptides, antibodies, enzymes and other protein drugs, and vaccines will serve as a foundation for you to critically evaluate the challenges surrounding these medicines. You will gain hands on experience in the techniques used to manufacture and assess the quality of biopharmaceutical products.
Toxicology
Within this module you will develop an in-depth understanding of key topics in toxicology as well as become familiar with a wide range of toxins and toxic compounds. These topics include the biochemical basis of toxicity, enzymes involved in drug metabolism, the various mechanisms underlying toxicity and the organs affected, mechanisms by which toxins can act to cause disease like cancer (carcinogenesis) and how the genetic background of an individual can influence the activity of a toxin (pharmacogenetics). You will also gain hands on experience in performing tests used to assess toxicity in clinical or research settings, gaining valuable experience in diagnostic and pharmacokinetic applications. Finally, this module will also offer you an opportunity to specialise, developing additional expertise in a discrete area within this discipline.
OPTIONAL MODULES
Level 6 Short Work Placement
This module is designed to give you an opportunity to develop professional skills and experience within the workplace. It will also help you to establish a range of professional contacts that have the potential to be useful both for project work and assisting in finding employment after graduation.
