Course specification and structure
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UDBIOSCI - BSc Biological Science

Course Specification


Validation status Validated
Highest award Bachelor of Science Level Honours
Possible interim awards Bachelor of Science, Diploma of Higher Education, Certificate of Higher Education, Bachelor of Science
Total credits for course 360
Awarding institution London Metropolitan University
Teaching institutions London Metropolitan University
School School of Human Sciences
Subject Area Biosciences
Attendance options
Option Minimum duration Maximum duration
Full-time 3 YEARS  
Part-time 4 YEARS  
Course leader  

About the course and its strategy towards teaching and learning and towards blended learning/e-learning

The BSc course is will promote a broad understanding of the range of subject areas allied to Biological Science. Knowledge and understanding of Biological Science is summatively assessed by time-constrained unseen examinations and by coursework comprising elements such as essays, practical reports, progress tests, poster presentations and seminar presentations completed during the course of the 30 week module. Coursework and online tests are also used to provide formative feedback. Formative diagnostic assessment of knowledge and understanding is carried out, particularly during the initial stages of the course.

Utilisation of the University’s VLE, WebLearn has become an invaluable tool with which to disseminate information and to support and assess student learning. Online progress tests will be used to provide students with feedback on their progress. Exams in several modules are delivered as online exams.

Feedback will be delivered on line and through provision of tutorial questions and answer sessions and other formative exercises.

Practical skills exercises at each level are used to monitor proficiency at experimental work. Assessment of Data handling skills are embedded in practical reports, problem solving exercises, information abstracting and reviewing exercises, poster presentations and seminar presentations.

The level 6 Research Project provides the ultimate measure of experimental and other practical skills. The excellent science centre also provides an unrivalled facility in which to carry out the level 6 Research Project module. BSc project assessment will culminate in the presentation of a dissertation and a viva exam, designed to allow the student to demonstrate their depth of knowledge and understanding.

Students have access to the North campus library which has recently been comprehensively refurbished. It provides specific group study areas as well as access to a comprehensive and regularly reviewed range of textbooks, journals and online learning resources. In addition, there are newly fitted ‘all access’ areas on the ground floor of the Tower building and the green lounge at Benwell Road. These areas come with comfortable seating and IT facilities.

Course aims

The BSc (Hons) Biological Science degree has been designed to produce graduates with extensive knowledge and understanding of the scientific basis of health and disease together with skills and competence in the associated technical and transferable skills. Graduates will be equipped for employment in the medical and allied research institutes, health agency laboratories*, in bioanalytical medical genetics and forensic units, in the pharmaceutical industry, and in information services, health and safety and science education. The analytical, numerical and communication skills developed by Biological Science graduates are also in demand in non-science-based careers such as those in the financial services sector, marketing and company administration.

* Students whose specific intention is to pursue a career as a Registered Biomedical Scientist in the NHS pathology services should transfer to the narrower IBMS (Institute of Biomedical Sciences) accredited BSc Biomedical Sciences, if their entry qualifications allow.

The aims of the single honours Medical Bioscience course are designed to consider the broad scope of Medical Bioscience, its facts, theories, technologies and applications. We will provide students with the requisite subject knowledge, understanding, skills and competencies fit for pursuit of a medical bioscience career at the molecular level through to the higher levels of organisation and integration in health and disease. The course will develop understanding of the research interface, its impact and potential. We will enhance employability awareness, professional performance and transferable evaluative skills, problem solving skills and communication skills.

Course learning outcomes

On the BSc Biological Science has been designed to reflect the elements required in the QAA outcomes for Biosciences.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course the student is expected to have developed:

  1. an appreciation of the fundamental concepts and principles of Biological Science .
  2. an understanding of the range and complexity of living systems and their relationships .
  3. skills of self-evaluation and reflection, and an awareness of the ethical dimension within which contemporary biological issues are explored .
  4. By the end of the course the student is expected to have developed higher order skills that are reflected in their ability to:
    critically evaluate and integrate information and develop ideas on issues, methodologies and processes within the context of Biological Science
  5. devise working hypotheses and test these within specified constraints
  6. undertake self-reflection and demonstrate the skills of self-management, self-presentation and decision making
  7. By the end of the course the student is expected to be able to:
    communicate concepts, principles and information effectively by oral, written and visual means with clarity and confidence .
  8. recognise personal responsibility, whether working individually or as a member of a team and respect the ethical standards and professional codes of conduct established within the scientific community
  9. identify and work towards targets for personal, academic and career development, and implement strategies for updating, maintaining and enhancing knowledge and skills .
  10. Appreciate the skills necessary to secure and retain employment, including communication, consideration for others, creativity, dedication and self-discipline.

Course learning outcomes / Module cross reference

By the end of the course the student is expected to have developed:

1. an appreciation of the fundamental concepts and principles of Biological Science:

AS4004 Anatomy and Physiology (for Applied Biology)

AS4003 Cell and Molecular Biology (for Applied Biology)

AS4002 Chemistry and Biochemistry (for Applied Biology)
AS4001 Laboratory Science (for Applied Biology)
AS5004 Metabolism and Microbiology
AS5005 Molecules of Heredity and Defence
an understanding of the range and complexity of living systems and their relationships. BS5052 Parasitology
AS6005 Biochemical Pathology: AS6006 Microbial Biotechnology


2. skills of self-evaluation and reflection, and an awareness of the ethical dimension within which contemporary biological issues are explored:

AS4001 Laboratory Science (for Applied Biology)
BS5K55 Ethics for Science
AS6P01 Research Project (for Applied Biology)

By the end of the course the student is expected to have developed higher order skills that are reflected in their ability to:

4. critically evaluate and integrate information and develop ideas on issues, methodologies and processes within the context of Biological Science:

AS4002 Chemistry and Biochemistry (for Applied Biology)
AS4001 Laboratory Science (for Applied Biology)
BS5K55 Ethics for Science
AS6P01 Research Project (for Applied Biology)

5. devise working hypotheses and test these within specified constraints.

6. AS6P01 Research Project (for Applied Biology)

7. undertake self-reflection and demonstrate the skills of self-management, self-presentation and decision making:

AS4001 Laboratory Science (for Applied Biology)
BS5K55 Ethics for Science
AS5004 Metabolism and Microbiology
AS6P01 Research Project (for Applied Biology)

By the end of the course the student is expected to be able to:

7. communicate concepts, principles and information effectively by oral, written and visual means with clarity and confidence:

AS4004 Anatomy and Physiology (for Applied Biology)
AS4003 Cell and Molecular Biology (for Applied Biology)
AS4002 Chemistry and Biochemistry (for Applied Biology)
AS4001 Laboratory Science (for Applied Biology)
BS5K55 Ethics for Science, BS5001 Blood Science
AS5005 Molecules of Heredity and Defence
AS5004 Metabolism and Microbiology
BS5052 Parasitology
AS6005 Biochemical Pathology:
AS6006 Microbial Biotechnology
AS6P01 Research Project (for Applied Biology)
AS6056 Bioinformatics and Molecular Modelling

8. recognise personal responsibility whether working individually or as a member of a team and respect the ethical standards and professional codes of conduct established within the scientific community:

AS6W54 Work Placement
AS6P01 Research Project (for Applied Biology)

• identify and work towards targets for personal development academic and career development, and implement strategies for updating, maintaining and enhancing knowledge and skills:

AS4001 Laboratory Science (for Applied Biology)
AS5004 Metabolism and Microbiology
AS6P01 Research Project (for Applied Biology)

• Appreciate the skills necessary to secure and retain employment, including communication, consideration for others, creativity, dedication and self-discipline:

AS4001 Laboratory Science (for Applied Biology)
AS5004 Metabolism and Microbiology
AS6P01 Research Project (for Applied Biology)
BS5K55 Ethics for Science

Principle QAA benchmark statements

Biosciences

Assessment strategy

Students are assessed through a variety of methods including problem solving exercises, in-class test, data analysis, practical reports, case studies, extended essays, examinations, research project interim report, oral examination and dissertation.

Practical skills are summatively assessed through coursework assignments, including those in the project module. Data handling skills are summatively assessed by practical reports, problem solving exercises, oral presentations and examinations.

Formative assessments include group activities in tutorial classes, mini-tests and project workshops.

Organised work experience, work based learning, sandwich year or year abroad

The course includes the option to take either a 15 credit Work Placement module at level 6 or a 30 credit Sandwich Placement module between level 5 and level 6. Students are not allowed to register for both these modules.

Course specific regulations

If attendance falls below 75% on a module, reassessment opportunities will not be available and instead the module will have to be retaken the following year with attendance and payment of fees. Mitigating circumstances cannot be claimed for missed classes; however Module Leaders will take account of absences that are a consequence of recorded disability or otherwise recorded as 'Authorised Absence' when applying the 75% threshold.

Modules required for interim awards

Module Code

Module title

Highest possible award gained if modules taken

AS4004

Anatomy and Physiology (for Applied Biology)

CertHE Biosciences

AS4003

Cell and Molecular Biology (for Applied Biology)

AS4002

Chemistry and Biochemistry (for Applied Biology)

AS4001

Laboratory Science (for Applied Biology)

AS5004

Metabolism and Microbiology

DipHE Biological Science

AS5005

Molecules of Heredity and Defence

BS5001

Blood Science

BS5K55

Ethics for Science

BS5052

Parasitology

AS6005

Biochemical Pathology

BSc Biological Science

AS6006

Microbial Biotechnology

AS6P01

Research Project (for Applied Biology)

Professional Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) accreditations & exemptions

On graduation, you'll be eligible to apply for Graduate or Associate Membership of the Royal Society of Biology, depending on your degree classification.

Career opportunities

You'll complete the course equipped for a career in medical and biological research, in hospital and public health laboratories or in the pharmaceutical, food, water and agricultural industries. Previous graduates have gone on to find work at companies such as the Royal Society of Biology.

You'll also develop analytical, numerical and communication skills that are in demand in other careers such as accountancy, journalism, marketing and teaching.

Entry requirements

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

  • 240 or more UCAS points from two or more A levels, including Biology and Chemistry at grade C or above (or equivalent, eg Applied Science A level Double Award at grade CC or BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science with MMM)
  • English Language and Mathematics GCSE at grade C or above (or equivalent)

Entry from appropriate foundation and access courses will also be considered.

If you don’t have traditional qualifications or can’t meet the entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, you may still be able to gain entry by completing the BSc Biological Sciences Extended Degree.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

Official use and codes

Approved to run from 2013/14 Specification version 1 Specification status Validated
Original validation date 01 Sep 2013 Last validation date 01 Sep 2013  
Sources of funding HE FUNDING COUNCIL FOR ENGLAND
JACS codes C100 (Biology): 100%
Route code BIOSCI

Course Structure

Stage 1 Level 04 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
AS4001 Laboratory Science (for Applied Biology) Core 30        
AS4002 Chemistry and Biochemistry (for Applied Biology) Core 30        
AS4003 Cell and Molecular Biology (for Applied Biology) Core 30        
AS4004 Anatomy and Physiology (for Applied Biology) Core 30        

Stage 2 Level 05 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
AS5004 Metabolism and Microbiology Core 30        
AS5005 Molecules of Heredity and Defence Core 30        
BS5001 Blood Science Core 30        
BS5052 Parasitology Core 15        
BS5K55 Ethics for Science Core 15        

Stage 3 Level 06 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
BC6060 Infection Control Core 15 NORTH SPR WED PM
BC6P01 Project Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR WED PM
BE6005 Biochemical Pathology Core 30        
BE6061 Fundamentals of Biotechnology Core 15        
BE6063 Energy Metabolism & Endocrinology Core 15 NORTH SPR WED AM
BC6051 Systems Pathology Option 15 NORTH AUT MON PM
BC6W54 Work Placement Option 15        
BE6056 Bioinformatics & Molecular Modelling Option 15 NORTH AUT WED AM