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.
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.
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.
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.
OPTIONAL MODULES
Optional Short 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 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.
Essential Chemistry
This module aims to enable you to consolidate and develop a knowledge and understanding of the basic principles underpinning the chemistry of biological molecules and the basic analytical techniques that are encountered in bioscience.
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.
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 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.
Fundamentals in Microbiology
Within this module you will learn about the structure, physiology, biochemistry, identification, classification and control of microorganisms, including the roles of normal flora found associated with humans. You will also develop basic practical skills required for the safe handling, identification and quantification of different microbes.
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.
Physiological Regulation
Within this module you will enhance knowledge of structure and function of physiological systems building on their fundamental understanding of the cardiovascular, respiratory, reproductive and endocrine systems. You will also develop theoretical knowledge and obtain practical experience in of monitoring physiological function and dysfunction including analysing and interpreting human physiological data.
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.
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.
Cellular Biochemistry
Within this module you will build on your knowledge and understanding of the fundamental biochemical, metabolic pathways and processes in found within cells and organisms. This will include the investigation of protein structure and function and enzyme activity and control. You will learn and practice purification techniques for macromolecules. You will also examine theoretical and practical aspects of enzymes function and enzymology. Important exemplars in metabolic pathways such as the TCA and ETC will be discussed in detail and their roles in cellular energy production and human health and disease explored.
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.
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.
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.
Year 3
CORE MODULES
Neuropsychopharmacology & Emerging Therapeutics
In this module you will develop in depth knowledge and understanding of aspects of the central neuropharmacology and principles of psychopharmacology related to existing and emerging themes that include mechanisms of addiction and novel therapeutics. This module will also provide you with the understanding of how drugs affect the peripheral (autonomic and voluntary) and central nervous systems in the prevention and treatment of diseases that include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, anxiety and depression.
Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Pharmacology
This module will provide you with an in-depth understanding of current and novel pharmacological strategies and in-development interventions used for the treatment of cardiovascular, pulmonary and renal conditions. You will review conditions such as hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure and angina, haemostasis, thrombosis, COPD and asthma, critically evaluating the use of current therapeutics in their treatment and the prospect for clinical application of novel next generation therapies.
Immunopharmacology & Chemotherapeutics
This module will provide you with an understanding of current and novel pharmacological strategies and in-development interventions used for the treatment of immune-mediated, inflammatory, gastrointestinal conditions. Cancer and microbial chemotherapy will also be covered along with immunosuppressive therapy.
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.
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.
New Frontiers in Pharmacology
The field of pharmacology and pharmacological/pharmaceutical research has gone through some major advances and innovations. In this module, you will be introduced to the most recent, cutting-edge and pioneering developments in the field such as artificial intelligence, big data, personalised medicines and genetic modification.
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.
