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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Molecular Biology & Genetics
Within this module you will be introduced to elements of genetics, genomics, human variation and organismal development. In particular you will examine the structure and function of genes, control of gene expression, the principles of inheritance, genetic disorders with particular biomedical significance, introduction to recombinant DNA technology, evolution and population biology. You will also examine topics such as organismal development, the human life cycles, ageing, stem cells, regenerative medicine and the contribution of genetics and the application of recombinant DNA technology to these areas.
Principles of Biotechnology
This module builds on fundamental ideas and concepts introduced in Cell Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and will provide you with a basis for further study of the applied aspects of molecular biology and recombinant DNA technology particularly focusing on the potential for and application of genetic manipulation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
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.
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.
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
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
Applications of Biotechnology and Biochemistry
This module will provide you with an in-depth knowledge of the applications and advances of recombinant DNA technology and applied biochemistry in research and industry. You will develop a critical understanding of as well as gain hands on experience with the use of recombinant DNA technology in topics such as gene therapy, stem cells, transgenesis techniques, agricultural applications of such as GMO crops and the production of recombinant proteins for industrial or pharmaceutical purposes.
DNA Analysis and Bioinformatics
This module will provide you with a comprehensive insight into the analysis of information found within DNA and protein sequences. You will develop an in-depth understanding of as well as gain hands on experience in the analysis of gene structure and expression, analysis of genomes and their organisation, public databases and in silico tools used by bioinformaticians to analyse DNA and protein sequence data. You will also gain hands on experience using common in silico bioinformatics tools and public databases to analyse DNA and protein sequences.
Protein Biochemistry and Proteomics
Within this module you will gain an in-depth understanding of how a variety of laboratory and computation techniques are used to identify proteins and understand the structures of proteins. You will also learn how peptides can be synthesized and proteins can be chemically modified to alter their biological properties. Techniques used for the measurement of interactions between proteins and other macromolecules and their application in understanding protein function and bioengineering will also be explored.
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.
Clinical Biochemistry
This module will help you develop a critical understanding of the principles and methods used to investigate the function and dysfunction of systems, organs and tissues through the measurement of biochemical markers. Topics such as sample collection and manipulation, screening, diagnosis, treatment, disease monitoring, therapeutic drug monitoring and investigation of substance abuse will be discussed. Benchmarks associated with running clinical assays will also be evaluated. Examples and case studies will be drawn from assays currently used in clinical biochemistry laboratories, however, a number of emerging technologies such as high throughput biomarker analysis will also be discussed. You will gain hands on experience in quality control statistical testing and interpretation and laboratory action/test planning, data handling, good laboratory practice and other core competencies which will place them in a good position to successfully compete for jobs within this 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.
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.
