UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE

Programme Specification

This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
  1. Awarding Institution / Body
/ University of Central Lancashire
  1. Teaching Institution
/ University of Central Lancashire
  1. University School/Centre
/ School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
  1. External Accreditation
/ Institute of Biomedical Science
  1. Title of Final Award
/ BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science
  1. Modes of Attendance offered
/ Full time
  1. UCAS Code
/ B940
  1. Relevant Subject Benchmarking Group(s)
/ Biomedical Science, referred to in the text as BMS (Biomedical Sciences).
  1. Other external influences
/ Institute of Biomedical Science
  1. Date of production/revision of this form
/ February 2012
  1. Aims of the Programme

  • To develop a knowledge and understanding of human biology and disease based on a scientific foundation, with the ability to apply knowledge and analyse and evaluate information.

  • To instil an appreciation of the study of biomedical science and its importance and application in different contexts.

  • To involve the learner in a stimulating learning environment in which students are encouraged to achieve personal growth in terms of a wide range of skills including communication, numeracy, IT, independence, interpersonal and group-working skills.

  • To develop competence in the definition, implementation and monitoring of plans for self-development.

  • To prepare the learner for a career in bioscience in positions requiring knowledge of human biology in relation to health and disease.

  1. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

A.Knowledge and Understanding
A1.Be able to discuss and critically evaluate the principles of biomedical science and the underlying biological components, including those related to disease. This will include some elements where the uncertainty, ambiguity and the limits of knowledge within the discipline are exemplified, (BMS 7, Basic Knowledge and Clinical Laboratory Specialities).
A2.Be able to discuss and determine appropriate methods of biomedical science relevant to practical problems, (BMS 7, Generic Skills and Clinical Laboratory Specialities).
A3.Be able to discuss and identify the areas of study covered within biomedical science, and discuss associated ethical issues, (BMS 7, Basic Knowledge and Generic Skills).
A4.Be able to determine an appropriate statistical test to analyse data that will be produced from various types of study and be able to use those tests, (BMS 7, Generic Skills).
Teaching and Learning Methods
A range of teaching and learning methods will be used including lectures, practicals, IT, laboratory sessions, tutorials, presentations, reading, problem solving exercises, case studies, and discussions and reflection.
Assessment methods
Students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding through a combination of workbooks; short notes; essays; reports of various types e.g. practical reports, summaries, data analysis; group and individual presentations; end of module examinations.The final module mark is based on a weighted aggregate of all assignments in that module.
B.Subject-specific skills
B1.Be able to describe and critically evaluate methods used in biomedical science, (BMS 7, Generic Skills and Clinical Laboratory Specialities).
B2.Be able to make use of appropriate laboratory equipment to enable a biological study to be undertaken, (BMS 7, Generic Skills and Clinical Laboratory Specialities).
B3.Be able to apply specialist knowledge of biomedical science to investigations and to new situations e.g. formulation of a hypothesis and designing experiments, (BMS 7, Generic Skills and Clinical Laboratory Specialities).
B4.Be able to design, perform and interpret the results of experiments investigating biological systems, (BMS 7, Generic Skills)
B5.Be able to discuss the safety aspects to be considered when undertaking laboratory based investigations and to work safely within a laboratory environment.
Teaching and Learning Methods
A range of teaching and learning methods will be used including data interpretation exercises; laboratory practical work, using workbooks or laboratory manuals and the production of appropriate written and/or oral material based on the work. Write laboratory reports. Safe working practices are included in all laboratory investigations, but particularly when designing experiments and in the final year research project. Material will also be explored in lectures, tutorials and seminars which will allow students the opportunity to discuss bioscience-based information and place it in a wider scientific context.
Assessment methods
Students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding through a combination of laboratory competencies; laboratory notebooks; workbooks; presentations; examinations; essays; reports of various types e.g. practical reports, data analysis; case studies and a research project report.The final module mark is based on a weighted aggregate of all assignments in that module.
C.Thinking Skills
C1.Be able to locate and appraise critically relevant published literature and extractpertinent information from such sources, (BMS 7, Generic Skills).
C2.Be able to define and develop strategies for solving problems, (BMS 7, Generic Skills).
C3.Be able to analyse a range of data derived experimentally, orfrom the literature or databanks, and evaluate it critically supported by logical and structured argument, (BMS 7, Generic Skills).
Teaching and Learning Methods
A range of teaching and learning methods will be used including lectures; practical work, data interpretation exercises; PBL exercises; case studies; discussions within the group and with tutors. A final year research module will give the students the opportunity to develop their research skills, including selection and interpretative skills and mastery of using primary and secondary sources.
Assessment methods
Students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding through a combination of workbooks; short notes; essays; presentations; examinations; reports of various types e.g. practical reports, summaries, data analysis and a final year research project.The final module mark is based on a weighted aggregate of all assignments in that module.
D.Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
D1. Be able to write using an appropriate scientific style (BB 3.2 & 3.7).
D2. Be able to work as a useful contributor to a group (BB 3.8) or independently (BB 3.9).
D3. Be able to use IT effectively for information retrieval, analysis, communication and presentation (BB 3.7).
D4. Be able to communicate effectively to transmit ideas and conclusions (BB 3.7).
D5. Be able to demonstrate planning, time management; work to deadlines carry out independent learning, including undertaking career planning and development (BB 3.9).
D6. Be able to produce a reflective portfolio based on work-based learning.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Coursework is generally required to be word processed; workshops developing skills in the use of appropriate IT sources, including the World Wide Web, the use of databases and suitable IT analytical packages; workshops on the library and literature searching; presentations; practical work incorporating numeracy and statistics; teamwork through tutorials, case studies, practicals and problem solving activities. Students are given guidance on the development of skills via the personal tutor system and associated portfolio.
Assessment methods
Students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding through a combination of written reports, presentations; laboratory notebooks; group and individual work; data analysis and presentation and a final year research project report.The final module mark is based on a weighted aggregate of all assignments in that module.
13.Programme Structures* / 14.Awards and Credits*
Level / Module Code / Module Title / Credit rating
Level 6 / BL3206
BL3215
BL3216
BL3217
BL3218
BL3219
BL3235
BL3298
Or
BL3299 / Biology of Disease
Immunology
Current Practice in Cell Science
Molecular Biomedicine
Current Practice in Clinical Biochemistry
Current Practice in Haematology
Current Practices in Clinical Microbiology
Group Research Project
Research Project / 20
10
10
10
10
10
10
40
40 / BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science
Requires 360 credits, including a minimum of 220 at Level 5 or above, and including 100 at Level 6.
BSc Biomedical Science
Requires 320 credits including a minimum of 180 at Level 5 or above, and including 60 at Level 6.
Level 5 / BL2203
BL2206
BL2211
BL2214
BL2215
BL2216
BL2217 / Molecular and Cellular Biology
The Investigation of Disease
Practical Skills and their Application
to Diagnostic Analysis
Physiological Systems
Biostatistics
Cellular Investigations
Systems Pharmacology / 20
20
20
20
10
20
10 / DipHE
Requires 240 credits including a minimum of 100 at Level 5 or above.
Level 4 / BL1216
BL1217
BL1219
BL1220
BL1221 / Research Skills
Introduction to Pharmacology
Biological Chemistry and Foundation Mathematics
Integrative Biological Sciences
Introduction to Healthcare Science
Elective module / 10
10
20
40
20
20 / CertHE
Requires 120 credits at Level 4 or above.
All modules at level six have been designated as core modules including the project modules (either BL3298 or BL3299) and are requirements for an honours award.
15.Personal Development Planning
The PDP programme is based around a number of assessments rather than stand-alone modules. Students are introduced to the idea of PDP and career planning through sessions in induction week, including a talk from a careers advisor or employer and meetings with their personal tutor. Reflection and self-assessment on their achievements and goal setting is supported by linking selected coursework to the reflection process. Students are asked to reflect (and record their reflections) on these pieces of work both before submission and after obtaining the mark and feedback. The students have meetings with their personal tutors who are responsible for discussing the reflection and notifying the module tutors that it has occurred. Reflection is encouraged by assessing its occurrence by modifying coursework marks.
Students are advised to keep a progress file containing the reflections and examples of work. In the 3rd year, students are asked to supply to their personal tutor their best examples and reflections showing achievement in a list of skills. Any references are based on the information the student has provided plus module results. Work on career development, CV writing or further study is incorporated in group sessions scheduled in induction week and via the personal tutor system.
16.Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications, together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
260 points including Biology or Chemistry at A2 level or Science at Advanced VCE or appropriate combination andMaths and English GCSE Grade C or above. Other acceptable qualifications include:
  • Scottish Certificate of Higher Education Higher Grade passes
  • Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Grade
  • International Baccalaureate
  • BTEC National Certificate/Diploma (DDD)
  • Kite marked Access Course
Students where English is not the first language need to demonstrate their ability in the English language through obtaining an IELTS score of 6 or above or equivalent.
Applications from people with relevant work or life experience and/or non-standard qualifications are welcome.
17.Key sources of information about the programme
  • Outside the University – QAA website, including the Biomedical Science benchmark statement; UCAS handbooks and web site; IBMS website.

  • University sources – University/School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences web sites; School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences brochures; University prospectus, Student Handbook.

LEVEL 6 / Module Code / Module Title / Core (C) or Compulsory (COMP) or Option (O) / Knowledge and understanding / Subject-specific skills / Thinking Skills / Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
A1 / A2 / A3 / A4 / B1 / B2 / B3 / B4 / B5 / C1 / C2 / C3 / D1 / D2 / D3 / D4 / D5 / D6
BL3206 / Biology of Disease / C /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
BL3215 / Immunology / C /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
BL3216 / Current Practice in Cell Science / C /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
BL3217 / Molecular Biomedicine / C /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
BL3218 / Current Practice in Clinical Biochemistry / C /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
BL3219 / Current Practice in Haematology / C /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
BL3235 / Current Practices in Clinical Microbiology / C /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
BL3298 / Group Research Project OR
Research Project / C /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
BL3299 / C /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
LEVEL 5 / BL2203 / Molecular & Cellular Biology / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
BL2206 / The Investigation of Disease / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
BL2211 / Practical Skills and their Application to Diagnostic Analysis / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
BL2214 / Physiological Systems / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
BL2215 / Biostatistics / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
BL2216 / Cellular Investigations / COMP /  /  /  /  / 
BL2217 / Systems Pharmacology / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
LEVEL 4 / BL1216 / Research Skills / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
BL1217 / Introduction to Pharmacology / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
BL1219 / Biological Chemistry and Foundation Mathematics / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
BL1220 / Integrative Biological Sciences / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
BL1221 / Introduction to Healthcare Science / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 