University of Bradford
Department of Biomedical Sciences
Awarding and teaching institution: / University of BradfordFinal award: / BSc (Honours) [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level H]
Programme title: / Biosciences
Duration: / 3 years full time
UCAS code:
Subject benchmark statement: / Biosciences
Date produced: / Original April 2004 revised Sept 2005
Biology and its associated sciences have undergone a revolution over the last 100 years and the current level of understanding of biological systems has paved the way for immense advances in our understanding of fields, such as Medicine, Biotechnology, Agriculture, Environmental and Forensic Sciences and Conservation. These advances will substantially alter the world in which we live over the next few decades. However, as with all new technologies, there are challenges that require highly skilled individuals to develop and apply them. This Biosciences course, jointly run by the School of Life Sciences and the School of Archaeological, Geographical and Environmental Sciences will provide the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills to pursue a career in these new and exciting fields. The course focuses on the study of biological systems at the molecular, cellular, organismal and ecological level.
The Schools of Life Sciences and Archaeological, Geographical and Environmental Sciences have excellent reputations in both teaching and research with the teaching rated as excellent in several areas during recent subject reviews. There is a strong research culture in both Schools evidenced by Biomedical Sciences scoring 5 at the last Research Selectivity Exercise. The most recent external review of Geography and Environmental Science in 2003 expressed confidence in the academic standards set and in the learning opportunities offered.
The aims and outcome statements have been referenced to the QAAHE Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, the QAAHE Biosciences benchmarking statement and the University of Bradford’s Teaching and Learning Strategy (T&L) and Excellence PLUS strategy (X+).
Programme Aims
The programme is intended to:
· develop a systematic understanding of the molecular and cellular aspects of biology together with a significant understanding of biology at the level of the organism and ecosystem, with areas of specialisation in depth; develop an appreciation of the contribution of evolutionary theory and relevance of ethical concepts to the Biosciences;
· foster an appreciation of the uncertainty, limits and provisional nature of knowledge;
· develop a range of practical skills necessary for laboratory and field investigations;
· facilitate an integrated understanding of the molecular, organism and ecological aspects of biology through the pursuit of independent study;
· provide a supportive and structured environment which enables you to take responsibility for and manage your own learning and prepares you for lifelong learning;
· develop your insight into research and scientific method;
· provide you with the opportunity to enhance your learning through an optional intercalated year;
· develop your personal and key skills and prepare you for seamless progression to employment or further study.
Learning Outcomes
On completing this course you will be able to:
Subject Knowledge and Skills:
(A1) Evaluate, discuss and apply aspects of the Biosciences at the molecular, cellular, organismal and ecological level;
(A2) Interpret the evolutionary implications and appraise the ethical problems of modern Biosciences.
(A3) Evaluate and appraise experimental and laboratory techniques and be able to apply them to experimental, laboratory and field investigations;
(A4) Select, apply and appraise appropriate methodologies and statistical tests;
(A5) Write and interpret scientific reports and literature;
(A6) collect, interpret and critically review scientific data and literature;
(A7) Employ skills associated with laboratory and field practice including the ability to evaluate and apply health and safety policies, good laboratory practice, undertake COSHH and risk assessments and the importance of quality control and assurance;
(A8) Optionally, you will have the opportunity to develop further these skills through an intercalated year.
Core Academic Skills:
(B1) Employ problem solving skills to interpret biological data;
(B2) Apply knowledge and understanding to the solution of problems of familiar and unfamiliar nature
(B3) Demonstrate critical thinking through the application of rational deductive reasoning, including: problem identification/clarification; hypothesis generation; hypothesis testing;
(B4) Optionally, you will have the opportunity to develop further these skills through an intercalated year.
Personal & Key Skills
In accordance with the Benchmark Statement for Biosciences and the Excellence PLUS strategy, you will be able to:
(C1) Use and apply numerical and statistical techniques; use problem solving skills, employ, IT skills, written and oral communication skills, and team working skills;
(C2) Use the range of personal transferable skills that are required in a working environment and prepare you for lifelong learning;
(C3) Undertake autonomous learning and take responsibility for individual and group decisions;
(C4) Optionally, you will have the opportunity to develop further these skills through an intercalated year.
You are encouraged to include a year, intercalated between Stage 2 and Stage 3, gaining work experience in a research or commercial environment.
The Curriculum
The curriculum is designed to provide the maximum student choice consistent with a coherent academic programme and, to this end, the course comprises both core and optional routes. All students will study core routes in Molecular Biosciences and Independent Study and will have the option of studying optional routes of Biosciences at the organismal level or at the ecological level. This involves 30 optional credits at Stage 1 and 60 optional credits at Stage 2. At Stage 3, you will undertake a core 40 credit project and 80 optional credits. The choice of Stage 3 modules is dependent on the modules that you studied at Stages 1 and 2 The curriculum is designed to enable you to develop the necessary level of knowledge of the Biosciences suitable for a variety of careers or further study. The course focuses of the study of biological systems at the molecular, cellular, organismal and ecological level and enables your to select areas of specialism, whilst concentrating of core aspects of Biosciences at the molecular and ecological level. Core to the curriculum is the interpretation of biological systems in terms of evolution and an appreciation of the ethical implications of the modern Biosciences and the modules of independent study and the final year project will enable you to integrate these concepts into your understanding of the Biosciences. Throughout the curriculum you will have the opportunity to develop the skills associated with laboratory and field practice including the ability to develop COSHH and risk assessments and procedures to ensure compliance with, and the importance of quality control and quality assurance.
Assessment Regulations: a summary (the full and most recent progression regulations are maintained on the Web: http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/acsec/QA_Hbk/Undergrad_Regs_.html)
To pass and proceed from each Stage to the next, and also to be eligible for a classified Honours award, you must achieve at least 40% in 100 credits and 35% in the other 20 credits.
The class and division of the Honours degree that you are awarded is based on the overall weighted marks that you receive for Stages 2 and 3. Stage 2 contributes 30% and Stage 3 70%. The classes and divisions of the Honours degree are awarded on the basis of the following minimum final overall weighted average marks:
70.0% or above: / First Class Honours60.0% or above: / Second Class Honours – First Division
50.0% or above: / Second Class Honours – Second Division
40.0% or above / Third Class Honours
If you complete Stage 1 successfully, you are eligible for a Certificate of Higher Education; if you complete Stage 2 successfully, you are eligible for a Diploma of Higher Education. The learning outcomes for these awards and the final award are consistent with those of the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.
Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategies
The teaching and learning strategy takes into consideration the learning outcomes for the course, progression through stages of study, the nature of topic studied and the need for you to demonstrate greater autonomy in your learning as you progress through the course. Stage 1 provides a foundation in the general principles of the Biosciences with an element of flexibility to allow you to develop you own areas of interest. You will develop your knowledge and understanding of scientific principles and laboratory skills. You will begin to analyse and interpret information and start to develop the skills that you require for autonomous learning. At Stage 2, you will develop further your depth of knowledge, understanding and skills. You will start to develop autonomy in your learning and develop increasing responsibility for achieving learning outcomes. You will continue to analyse and interpret information and you will begin to evaluate scientific data. At Stage 3, you will study, in increasing depth, specialised areas of the Biosciences of your choice and develop, particularly through the project, your critical and analytical skills.
Subject Knowledge and Skills:
Teaching methods consist of; lectures to develop knowledge and understanding and discipline specific skills (A1,A2,A3,A4,A5,A6); laboratory classes and project work to develop knowledge and understanding and laboratory and research skills (A1,A2,A3,A4,A5,A6,A7); workshops and case studies to develop knowledge and understanding (A1,A2,); directed study comprises a major learning strategy which will develop the ability to evaluate and discuss core and optional aspects of the Biosciences (A1,A2,A3) along with your ability to evaluate and appraise scientific techniques (A4). At stage 1, you will be examined, primarily, on the breadth of knowledge via MCQ and short answer examinations (A1). Coursework assignments will give you the opportunity to gain experience in report writing and data handling and interpretation (A2,A3,A4). As you progress through stages 2 and 3, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate increasing skills of analysis, synthesis and criticism through a wide variety of assessment strategies, including examinations (A1,A2,A3,A4,A5,A6), report writing (A1,A3,A4,A5,A7), group work (A1), critical appraisal (A1,A2,A3,A6), case studies (A1,A6,), simulation exercises (A1,A3) and the project report (A1,A2,A3,A4,A5,A6,A7).
Core Academic Skills:
Teaching methods consist of; laboratory classes and project work to develop laboratory and research skills (B1,B2,B3); workshops and case studies to develop critical thinking (B1,B2,B3); directed study comprises a major learning strategy which will develop your ability to employ problem solving skills and apply knowledge and demonstrate critical thinking. Coursework assignments will give you the opportunity to gain experience in applying knowledge and understanding and critical thinking (B1,B2,B3). As you progress through stages 2 and 3, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate your core academic skills through a wide variety of assessment strategies, including examinations (B1,B2,B3), report writing (B1,B2,B3), group work (B1,B2,B3), critical appraisal (B1,B2,B3), case studies (B1,B2,B3) and the project report (B1,B2,B3).
Personal & Key Skills
Laboratory classes, case studies, and project work personal transferable skills and skills associated with autonomous learning. (C1,C2,C3); Group work will build your team working skills and encourse you to take responsibility for individual and group decisions. As you progress through stages 2 and 3, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate your Personal & Key Skills through a wide variety of assessment strategies, including examinations (C1,C2,C3), report writing (C1,C2,C3), group work (C1,C2,C3), critical appraisal (C1,C2,C3), case studies (C1,C2,C3), simulation exercises (C1,C2,C3) and the project report (C1,C2,C3).
The provision of an optional intercalated year allows for the further development these outcomes (A8,B4,C4). These assessment strategies are both formative and summative and permit you to reflect upon and develop your knowledge, understanding and skills.
Admission Requirements
Offers are made following detailed consideration of each individual application. Most important in the decision to offer a place is our assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed on this particular course. Entrance requirements will vary but are set after consideration of each applicant’s academic background and achievements and all other relevant experience. A typical offer to someone seeking entry through the UCAS scheme would be 260 points, which should include two science subjects. Two AS levels are accepted in place of a third A-level subject. Applications are welcome from candidates with non-standard qualifications or who, lacking academic qualifications, have significant relevant experience. Applications are welcomed from students doing the Science Foundation year. Prior learning can be accredited to enable exemption from aspects of the course and it is possible to gain direct entry Stages 2 and 3 of the course. Each case will be considered on its merits and applicants should contact the Admissions Officer to discuss their case. Approximately 20 students are admitted to the award each year.
Student Support and Guidance
The University and the Department have well-deserved reputations in this area. You will be allocated a Personal Tutor who you will see at least fortnightly throughout the first year and will continue to support you with regular timetabled meetings throughout the course. Your Personal Tutor will be responsible for your pastoral care during your time at University and will be your first point of contact for areas of concern or guidance. During Stage 1 the tutor will play a significant role in the development of academic abilities and personal transferable skills. Further guidance at all Stages is available from Course Tutors, Examination Officers and the Intercalation Tutor. You will have an individual supervisor for your final year research project. You will also be supported in all aspects of your course by University and Departmental student handbooks and by module study guides. Along with specific tutorials these study guides will provide you clear guidance as to which optional modules you should choose enabling you to develop the most appropriate programme of study. Regular feedback on your individual performance will be provided. The support provided by the Department is enhanced by a strong university infrastructure, including particularly the Disabilities Office and the Careers Service, and the Library and Computing facilities. The Department is very responsive to student feedback though a staff-student liaison Committee which includes the Subject Librarian and a representative of the Computing Centre.
Further Information
If you would like more information about the University of Bradford, please check the undergraduate prospectus. More details about the course can be obtained from the Admissions Tutor of the Biomedical Sciences Department.
Curriculum Table