Programme Specifications

N/A

Biosciences

August 2024

The Biology student is expected to possess broadly based core knowledge of biological subjects. This will involve an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach in advancing knowledge and understanding of the evolution, processes, and mechanisms of life, from molecular to cellular, and from organism to ecosystem.

To provide students with the technical knowledge and transferable skills required for a leading career in Biology, including for example, lecturing, research and development, and advisory work within the field.

To develop a detailed knowledge and systematic understanding of the interaction between populations and the environment as drivers for evolutionary processes.

To develop a wide-ranging understanding of bacterial, fungal, plant and animal form and function.

To understand the complexity of environmental processes as a product of the interaction of living systems, soils, marine/freshwater systems, climate and processes linked to human activity; e.g. urbanisation or pollution.

To develop a detailed understanding of biological research and on-going rapid developments in the field especially in genomic and/or post-genomic fields.

To appreciate the application of numerical and computational approaches to the investigation and description of biological processes. This should extend from familiarity with bioinformatic approaches to interrogate genomic data to an appreciation of how biological processes can be modelled; e.g. in epidemiology.

To develop a critical and analytical approach in all aspects of study and problem solving, including the ability to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively and communicate with specialist and non-specialist audiences

Subject specific skills

A Biology graduate should be able to:

Demonstrate the ability to explain biological phenomena at a variety of levels (from molecular to ecological systems) and how evolutionary theory is relevant to their area of study

Display the skills needed for academic study and enquiry, this will involve the ability to assimilate information from a number of sources, including current research and scholarship, in order to gain an understanding of theory and practice.

Plan, execute and present a piece of hypothesis-driven work in which qualities such as time management, problem solving, and independence are evident

Have the ability to record data accurately, and to carry out basic manipulation of data (including qualitative data and statistical analysis, when appropriate)

Show an understanding of the use of bioinformatics approaches in the analysis of large datasets

Display an appreciation of the impact on society of advances in the biosciences especially with the bioethical issues that arise.

Generic and graduate skills

The following transferable skills will be developed and assessed in the Biology degree:

Research and data analysis skills

Enhanced mathematical and computational skills

Effective problem-solving and creative thinking skills

A thorough grounding in information technology skills

The ability to work independently

Time-management and organisational skills, including the ability to meet deadlines

The ability to express ideas and communicate information in a clear and structured manner, in both written and oral form

Self-motivation and self-reliance

Team-working, with the ability to discuss concepts in groups, accommodating different ideas and reaching agreement

Develop creativity.

Overall aim of the scheme

This Biology course will study of life at all levels of complexity. This will involve understand how chemicals are assembled into ever more complex levels of organisation in molecules, cells, tissues and organs, organisms, communities, and ecosystems. Central to this process is an understanding of the processes of evolutionary natural selection that is a core theme throughout the course. Inherent in this approach is providing the students with a broad knowledge of prokaryote and eukaryotic (animal, plants, fungal) genetic and cellular function, its organization into functional organisms and how they interact with the wider environment. The latter provides a platform for understanding how evolutionary processes can act a population level to drive adaption. The course will provide students with the multidisciplinary knowledge that they require to understand life processes. This will equip them with the background they require to develop a career in biology. Beyond knowledge acquisition, the course will develop skills which will produce students that are able to critically evaluate various sources and potentially conflicting sources of information and to be proficient in verbal and written communication. Biology will be able to work in a range of fields relating to science, who can operate efficiently and safely in field and laboratory, are able to communicate and understand data and concepts, are able to utilise specific applied skills to address diverse biological problems and are able to direct their own research and learning.

A1 Describe, discuss and understand the key biological concepts and phenomena relevant to Biology confidently, accurately and in detail, using appropriate terminology.

A2 Be aware of the full breadth of the Biosciences, from molecular to cellular, and from organism to ecosystem.

A3 Engage with literature in Biology to develop insight into the subject.

A4 Appreciate the contribution of Biosciences to the innovations that characterise the modern world, and the potential of Biosciences graduates from this field to develop sustainable solutions to current and future challenges.

A5 Stay up to date with advances in Biology, including aspects of sustainability, and appreciate the fluid nature of knowledge that evolves as new findings emerge.

A6 Understand the key concepts and techniques in general systems biology. Underpinning basic sciences including mathematics and computing (word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, etc.), biological chemistry, microbiology, analytical techniques and genetics (evolution, phylogeny, taxonomy, etc.).

A7 Gain knowledge and understanding of cellular biology, cell division, organelles and cellular homeostasis. Interactions of microbes, plants and animals with each other and with the environment.

Learning and Teaching
Lectures will convey substantial elements of the subject content, provide core themes and explanations of difficult concepts, as well as set the scene for and inspire students' independent learning. These lectures will include reference to experimental evidence and arguments for and against specific hypotheses.

Laboratory classes, fieldwork, and digital approaches to practical work (for example modelling and data mining using bioinformatic approaches) will be used illustrate scientific approaches to discovery, provide opportunities for acquisition of subject-specific technical and transferable skills and reinforce the lecture material.

The first- and second- year’s tasks in developing the practice and evaluation of hypothesis driven research will culminate in third year project/research based assignment. This will draw on the experience gathered during the programme as a whole and will include data collection and analysis. These data could be derived from the literature, field, or laboratory work.

Assessment Strategies and Methods
To assess subject specific knowledge/understanding a wide range of element will be assessed. These will be:

Laboratory and/or fieldwork reports

Project or dissertation report

Essays, summaries and assignments

Data interpretation exercises

Online activities

Critical analysis of case studies

Oral, poster, and other presentations such as journal articles

Unseen examinations

10.2.1 Intellectual Skills

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to:

B1 Recognise the relationships and interfaces between Biosciences and other subjects (both scientific and outside of the sciences), such that they are able to operate effectively in a multidisciplinary environment.

B2 Apply ethical awareness to working in the Biosciences, appreciate the historical context of the subject and the societal impacts of advances in the Biosciences.

B3 Develop, integrate, synthesise and apply the systematic and broad understanding of relevant and state-of-the-art biological concepts to solve complex problems.

B4 Interrogate and integrate diverse sources of scientific literature alongside other information sources, in order to design and develop methods for investigation and analysis, including in areas at the forefront of knowledge and outside their current specialist knowledge.

B5 Discuss the background, context, methods, results and potential impact of a significant research project.

Learning and Teaching
Each item of coursework will be set to develop the intellectual skills needed to analyse, synthesise, and summarise information critically from a variety of sources. Each component will also develop and test the skills required to construct grammatically correct documents in an appropriate academic style.

As the students progress through the course, they will be expected to consider and balance a number of perspectives and values and arrive at a considered critical judgment stating assumptions and limitations.

Students are expected to spend a significant proportion of their total study time on self-directed study, individually and within groups. This entails information seeking and the use of learning resources available in electronic or other format, reading, report writing and problem solving. The assessment of self-directed study is a specific component of each coursework mark schemes.

Assessment Strategies and Methods
The same methods as outlined in 6A will be used to assess intellectual skills but will represent an additional component of the assessment criteria

In all work, the ability of student to analyse, synthesise and summarise information critically from a variety of sources will be a major feature of the assessment criteria. All submitted work will be grammatically correct documents in an appropriate academic style and referencing relevant ideas and evidence. These should also shows that the student understands the importance of academic and research integrity.

Data-interpretative assessments will test student’s ability to provide statistically valid testing of results. Other assessments – particularly practicals, will develop the student’s computational and bioinformatics skills.

10.2.2 Professional practical skills / Discipline Specific Skills

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to:

C1 Apply knowledge and understanding of biological systems and methodologies to design experiments and to solve theoretical and practical problems, with awareness of appropriate controls, possible bias, ethics and sustainability.

C2 Describe, document and enact safe working practices in terms of managing biological, chemical, laboratory or field-based risk, through knowledge-based risk assessments and practical activities.

C3 Select and carry out appropriate quantitative and qualitative practical (laboratory, field or computational) techniques to solve problems relevant to the course, including consideration of the theoretical basis and limitations of various techniques.

C4 Complete independent open-ended investigative work through a project/research-based assignment relevant to the course. This could be a laboratory or field-based project, an evidenced-based review, and/or collecting and evaluating data from a variety of sources.

C5 Collect qualitative and quantitative data from investigations relevant to the course and analyse and interpret these data to allow testing of hypotheses, contextualising of findings, presentation of findings, and suggestions for further lines of investigation.

C6 Develop advanced experimental and investigative skills as appropriate for the project.

Learning and Teaching
Lectures; tutorials; student-led seminars; problem-based learning workshops, laboratory practical classes; literature-based research; computer-assisted learning; research leading to a dissertation

Assessment Strategies and Methods
Written examinations and coursework to include: report writing, essay writing, oral and poster presentations; the submission of a dissertation, problem-solving exercises.

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to:

D1 Acquire skills in research and data analysis.

D2 Deploy mathematical and statistical concepts, processes and tools, such as the manipulation of equations and graphical and statistical analysis, to solve problems or evaluate data.

D3 Develop problem-solving and creative thinking skills.

D4 Develop a thorough grounding in information technology skills and use appropriate databases, computational techniques and tools to aid further understanding of and insight into biological processes.

D5 Demonstrate the ability to work independently.

D6 Demonstrate time-management and organisational skills, including the ability to meet deadlines.

D7 Develop the ability to express ideas and communicate effectively, in both written and oral forms, selecting appropriate content, media and methods for the audience, purpose and subject.

D8 Demonstrate self-motivation and self-reliance.

D9 Collaborate and work successfully and inclusively in a group environment, contributing positively and flexibly to team outputs.

D10 Act professionally, with due regard for legal, ethical and societal responsibilities, modelling good practice that promotes positive, sustainable and inclusive perceptions of the Biosciences and of Bioscientists.

D11 Project plan, including, as appropriate, evaluation of ethics, hazards, environmental effects, sustainability and appreciation of costs.

Learning and Teaching
The course will integrate a wide-range of coursework exercises to develop and assess the Biologist’s intellectual skills in the ability to analyse, synthesise and summarise information critically from a variety of sources. This will be assessed as oral and written forms of communication. The latter will include electronic forms such as web-blogs. All written forms of communication will aim to aid in developing the graduate’s ability to construct grammatically correct documents in an appropriate academic style and format, using and referencing relevant ideas and evidence.

Verbal communication skills will be developed through a series of assessed and non-assessed subject specific presentations which feature throughout the course. These presentations will develop the graduate’s ability to verbally communicate their subject appropriately to a variety of audiences, including the general public, using a range of formats and approaches and employing appropriate scientific language.

Some coursework will be based around group work that will develop team working and interpersonal skills. These could involve practical, laboratory and/or field studies or joint work in case studies. Besides scientific content, the work will be aim to develop skills in recognising and respecting the views and opinions of other team members. This will be assessed through confidential peer assessment feedback.

Assessment Strategies and Methods
The same methods as outlined in 6A will be used to assess transferrable skills but will represent an additional component of the assessment criteria.

Different forms of assessment will be used to determine the students level of:

1) Problem solving (laboratory/fieldwork/project/dissertation reports; data interpretation exercises; critical analysis of case studies

2) Research skills (all assessment methods);

3) Communication (the quality of written work will be assessed as mentioned in 6B; but verbal skills will involve assessments of oral presentations)

4) Team work. Peer and self-assessment of team working skills will feature in certain assessments where case studies are considered through group-based study and submissions of group coursework.