Microbiology And Biochemistry

This unit introduces the study of microorganisms by considering their scope and diversity. A theoretical understanding of basic microbial cell structure and growth curves is covered and complemented by the practical component of the unit.
The subject of biochemistry will be studied in the context of the living cell. By completing the unit you will be able to understand general biochemical principles, the structures of a range of biomolecules and the relevance of biochemistry to the study of biological subjects.
Both microbiology and biochemistry are practical subjects therefore this unit is designed to enable you to develop practical competencies in the fundamental techniques used in them. These techniques include the use of the light microscopes, histological preparation, the development of good sterile techniques in the handling of micro-organisms, design of biochemical assays and chromatography for separation.
You will also develop awareness for the need of good laboratory practice (GLP).
Microbiology and Biochemistry are key disciplines that form the basis of many different science careers both within the NHS, and within academic research or biotechnology laboratories. This unit also underpins the subjects of immunology, biological chemistry, metabolism, biotechnology, pathophysiology and clinical biochemistry which will be studied at Level 5 and 6 of your course.

Human Anatomy And Physiology

This unit aims to provide a broad understanding of Human Anatomy, the study of the structure and relationship between body parts, and Physiology, the study of the function of body parts and the body as a whole. This Unit will focus on the link between form and function, and therefore their integrated relationship. It will provide the foundation required for further study in applied human physiology and related subjects in second year. The basic systems of the body and their interrelationships will be explored.

Human Anatomy and Physiology are fundamental disciplines relevant to medicine, life sciences and forensic science. Their study enables the identification and analysis of tissues and structural changes within them that allow for the diagnosis of disease.

Within the Human Anatomy and Physiology Unit you will learn about the relationship between structure and function, and integration and interdependence of all body systems.

Cell Biology

The unit provides an introduction to cell biology. You will cover the structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell types and make comparisons between them. You will learn practical aspects in the fundamentals of microscopy and how that informs our ideas of cell structure.

Aims of this unit are:

• To provide a basic outline of the  cell as the fundamental unit of life and how it impacts on all areas of biology.
• To introduce sub-cellular organisation, the variety of cell types and to relate cellular structure to function.
• Understand the basic ideas of cellular differentiation and specialisation from stem cells to terminally differentiated cells.
• To provide a basic understanding of cellular signalling and the immune system.

Molecular Genetics

This unit reviews and develops your knowledge and understanding of basic ideas and concepts in molecular genetics and so provides a foundation for many principles in the biosciences. The materials covered provide a foundation for the further study in a wide range of topic areas from biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, through to applications in forensic science.

The aims of the unit are:

to introduce the basics of molecular genetics;

to relate the processes of cell division with chromosome function and structure, and to develop an understanding of genetic inheritance;

to develop the ability to understand and interpret data in simple tables and graphs; and

to foster an awareness of safe laboratory practices and develop laboratory skills and effective group work behaviour.

Skills In Biological Science

This unit will introduce you as a new student to the study of biology-based sciences at University level. It will develop a range of key study skills, with emphasis on the analysis and presentation of data. This unit will also provide you with orientation to the available resources in the learning resources centre, and provide you with some basic information about career planning and organisation. 

The unit also contains discipline-specific skills relevant to becoming a competent bioscientist, as well as transferable skills valuable to alternative areas of employment. Practical classes will provide an introduction to basic laboratory techniques and report writing including concepts of accuracy, precision and reproducibility in measurement.

The key aims of this module are:

• To provide a basic outline of the concepts related to life.
• Introduce key concepts in the evolution and diversity of life, as well as an understanding of organismal classification.
• To encourage you to think critically about your subject and engender a philosophy of critical self-appraisal allowing students to reflect and build upon your own learning experiences.
• To provide you with an appreciation of working with others in a higher education setting and empower you to become a confident, independent learner.
• To develop your ability to receive and respond to a variety of sources of information: textural, numerical, verbal and graphical.
• To learn how to access relevant scientific information from a variety of sources and communicate the principles in an appropriate manner in assessments.
• To allow you to record data accurately and appropriately from laboratory experiments
• To be able to analyse and report data from laboratory work and understand key concepts of accuracy, precision, reproducibility and uncertainty in scientific data.

Chemistry

This unit reviews and develops your knowledge and understanding of basic ideas and concepts in chemistry and provides a foundation for many of the principles in biosciences. The material covered will be useful for subsequent studies of biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, food and nutrition, forensic science, pharmaceutical science and pharmacology units.

The aims of the unit are:

to provide a fundamental understanding of chemistry;

• to develop skills in report writing and to develop the ability to handle data and presentation in simple tables and graphs; and
• to foster an awareness of safe laboratory practices and develop laboratory skills and effective group work behaviour.

Skills In Science

Within the Skills in Science unit, you will develop and practice a number of key subject-specific skills essential to a career in science. These include the ability to select and apply appropriate statistical analysis; evaluate relevant research literature and identify areas currently lacking in our knowledge or application; the ability to propose both a hypothesis and a novel experiment to address this hypothesis (including statistical analysis where appropriate); and the understanding to identify and address any health and safety or ethical considerations related to your proposal. These skills underpin the scientific method required for any scientific career. The basic notion of data analysis, identifying an issue, and developing a plan to address that issue is the basis of troubleshooting or product development in any career structure. In addition, within this unit, you will be equipped with transferrable skills such as presentation and communication skills, as well as planning and preparing for a career within your discipline. The skills developed within this unit will prove vital for the Level 6 research project unit and for a career in science. 

Medical Physiology

Medical physiology is a fundamental discipline in both medicine and biosciences. An understanding of physiology is a crucial requirement for employment in e.g. academic or government research laboratories or the biotechnology industry.

This unit will help you develop an understanding of the mechanisms by which the human body functions. Medical physiology builds on the knowledge gained at Level 4, with emphasis on homeostasis, cardiovascular, respiratory, kidney, neurology, endocrine, gastrointestinal and bone physiology in more depth. You will also study how physiological function becomes impaired in disease states. You will consider the impact of physiological changes in disease on drug development strategies.

The aims of this unit are:

To command in depth knowledge of human physiology

To explain the significance of homeostasis and develop an
ability to discuss human homeostasis with reference to the
structure and function of tissues and organs and the relationship between homeostasis and disease

Biotechnology

This unit aims to provide a theoretical and practical understanding of the main techniques that are in widespread use in the biotechnology industry.  On studying this unit you will be guided to understand the genetic processes that underpin biotechnological advances, to perform specialist gene expression experiments, and analyse, present and communicate data in a scientific manner.  

This unit will describe the molecular mechanisms of DNA replication, DNA transcription and RNA translation. It will describe how the biotechnology industry exploits these processes for human benefit to tackle the world’s current problems such as disease, pollution and food security. This unit is directly relevant to students studying Genetic Engineering in third year.

Life Science graduates who seek employment within academic or government research laboratories or within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries will also find that Biotechnology is a common and key discipline underlying the analysis and genetic manipulation of cells and tissues in many research contexts.

Food Microbiology

This Unit will provide the concepts and knowledge underlying the processes involved in food microbiology. It will provide an understanding of the critical importance of microbiology in food with an emphasis on biotechnological applications that will allow you to appreciate the role of microbiology in the food and nutrition industry.

You will gain an understanding of the main microbiological techniques that are in widespread use in the food industry. This includes the role of microbes in food, with their benefits for example in food processing and production, but also their hazard through spoilage and pathogenicity.

During the course of this study, you will be guided to perform specialist microbiological laboratory experiments that will demonstrate the molecular processes used in modern food technology.

During the course of this Unit, you will develop skills to examine, analyse (including statistical analysis where appropriate), present and communicate data in a logical scientific approach about the use of microbes within the food industries. These skills include the ability to select and analyse relevant research literature and the ability to understand and identify methods and applications to address current scientific issues.

Biochemistry

This unit aims to provide a theoretical  and practical understanding of the biochemical and cellular basis of metabolic biochemistry and allows you to appreciate the interplay of metabolic processes in an organism.

On studying this unit you will gain theoretical and practical understandings of the experimental techniques used to understand the functioning of enzymes and proteins within cells. You will also gain knowledge and experience in the analysis, presentation and communication of relevant experimental data in a logical scientific manner. You will be able to integrate concepts and understanding of the modes of regulation ofbiochemical pathways at the molecular, cellular and whole organism level; to examine the kinetic basis of enzyme catalysis and discuss the derivation and use of energy within the cells; to examine the major metabolic routes of synthesis and degradation of cell components.

The practical work within the unit will develop your ability to select and analyse relevant research literature and identify areas of scientific uncertainty where our knowledge or application needs further development. You will develop and apply abilities to understand and identify methods and applications toaddress current scientific issues and analyse data, including statistical analysis where appropriate.

Ecology And Evolution

An understanding of ecology and the scientific processes through which we can understand ecological interactions is essential for any biologist. This unit will develop your understanding of Earth’s organisms, how they interact and how people modify their habitats and interactions. It will provide you with the knowledge and understanding to form evidence-based opinions about the current changes being made to organisms and environments. The unit will also benefit students interested in careers or further study in the non-human elements of biological sciences.

The unit aims to:

·       Familiarise you with the scientific principles underpinning ecology and evolution.

·       Enable you to approach topical questions in ecology and evolution from a well-informed and evidence-based perspective.

·       Appreciate the relevance of field and laboratory investigations in ecological research.

Understand the extent to which organisms both influence and react to the environment.

Environmental Change

An understanding of the environment and the scientific processes through which we can understand it is essential for any biologist. Humans are ultimately dependent upon ecosystems for the provision of the goods and services that make life possible and enjoyable. However, changes to Earth’s ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles represent major changes to the conditions that have made human development possible. This unit will develop your understanding of Earth’s ecosystems and of how people modify them. It will provide you with the knowledge and understanding to form evidence-based opinions about the current changes being made to the environment and how these affect people. The unit will also benefit students interested in careers or further study in the non-human elements of biological sciences.

The unit aims to:

·       Enable you to approach topical questions in environmental science from a well-informed and evidence-based perspective.

·       Explore the changes that are happening to ecosystems as a result of climate change, land use change, agricultural intensification, pollution and deforestation.

·       Investigate the consequences of such changes for the provision of ecosystem services of benefit to humans.

Animals And Plants In Crime

This unit focuses on the use of animals and plants to aid forensic investigations, which includes a vast diversity of biological evidence that could be encountered at a crime scene.

It is essential that all forensic biologists have a working understanding of how to approach the examination and analysis of frequently encountered biological evidence types, and a good knowledge of the types of information that can be obtained from the rarer sample types, including how to preserve/recover them and which specialists to seek support from. This ensures that all of the available evidence on the case is utilised effectively to aid the investigation.

Biological Science Research Project

This unit is an essential part of your BSc (Hons) degree. It allows you as final year students to undertake scientific research and provides an opportunity to develop and appraise your personal qualities for future employment. You will plan, design and execute a piece of research work for which you will write a formal report. This will develop your abilities to read, research and understand scientific literature. Your project will set a research question relevant to your degree course and you must critically appraise your data and evidence from relevant research to provide a set of conclusions in response to your question.

During the process of your project, you will develop reflective skills as applied to research as you write your laboratory and reflective research diaries. This will allow you to demonstrate and evidence your ability to collect and analyse data along with a range of practical, interpretive and analytical skills indicative of a Biological Science graduate.

The key aims of this unit are:

• To research, plan, design and execute experimental methodologies relevant to scientific research work on an individual basis within the context of a research programme.
• To develop the techniques of critical analysis through critical evaluation and appraisal of your findings and their relevance to published scientific findings and data.
• To collect, record, collate and analyse data using appropriate techniques and to use relevant statistical techniques to investigate data.
• To use appropriate IT resources to support a written project report, producing documents which demonstrate a range of skills of written expression and vocabulary relevant to your course.
• To communicate your work effectively in meetings with your supervisor and evidence the skills associated with and developed during the project in your Reflective Research Record.
• To develop reflective skills as applied to research, based on maintaining a Reflective Research Record containing not only a record of your research work but also an appropriate reflection on it, providing evidence supporting the work submitted.

Biotechnology Innovations

Modern biotechnology has been revolutionised by a number of key innovations that have massively increased the amount of biological data that can be produced. This is perhaps most vividly exemplified by the revolution in DNA sequencing that has progressed from the Human Genome Project through to the 100,000 Genome project. The Human Genome project took over 10 years and cost around $3 billion. Innovations in sequencing technology now mean a complete genome can be sequenced in days for less than $1000.

In this unit you will explore the ways in which large scale ‘Omics’ (proteomics, genomics, metabolomics etc.) produce their data and also how disciplines like bioinformatics and modelling make use of data to generate new hypotheses. Once this theoretical foundation has been laid, the application of these techniques to problems in the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology industries will be discussed.

Environmental Microbiology

Microbes dominate the world’s ecosystems and underpin the processes on which all other life on the planet depends. They have been responsible for global environmental change and drove the original oxygenation of the atmosphere. In current ecosystems their metabolic processes contribute to major elemental cycles, biogeochemical processes, and organic contaminant degradation.

The aims of this course are to:

·         give a detailed understanding of the diversity and significance of microbes throughout global ecosystems.

·         examine the role of microbial metabolism in shaping the environment

·         understand microbial communities both in an ecological and microbiotal context

·         generate understanding of methods for analysing microbial populations and how these are practically applied

·         examine how microbes are used in industrial applications and for the benefit of society

·         assess the impact of microbes on public health and how our understanding of their interactions with us is changing

Applied Plant Science

Plants are useful sources of medicines, structural materials, and provide humans with food and valuable ecosystem services. Of the land plants, the flowering plants (angiosperms) dominate terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity hotspots, and are crucial for an understanding of global environmental dynamics. The origin of most food is plant crops, either directly or indirectly, and a current understanding of plant biology and biotechnology is essential to understanding food security.

The unit provides the scientific framework needed for understanding the importance of plant science and the interactions between plants and people. 

Biology Of Disease

Biology of Disease covers an integrated approach to pathology that is a fundamental discipline in both medicine and biosciences. It investigates pathophysiological processes that underlie specific diseases and the clinical signs and symptoms that are interpreted by the pathologist. In addition, it evaluates and synthesizes knowledge of the integrative molecular, metabolic and genetic basis of certain diseases and the progression from health to disease. 

The Institute of Biomedical Science who accredit the BSc Biomedical Science degree specify Biology of Disease as a key subject area required within all their accredited courses. Qualified Biomedical Scientists may be employed within NHS pathology/clinical biochemistry laboratories, where they are required to analyse patient’s samples taken from blood, urine or other body fluids to help with investigation, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. They also interpret results and play a major role in managing hospital and community analytical services.

BSc Biomedical Science graduates who seek employment within academic or government research laboratories, or within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry will also find that the Biology of Disease is a common and key discipline requiring understanding of biochemical analyses on specimens of body fluids and tissues and molecular biological techniques that allow the understanding of pathological processes.

Molecular Biology

DNA acts as the blueprint for life, the carrier of the genetic code that determines a cells’ make up and as such it is fundamental to Molecular Biology. Molecular Biology seeks to explain how the molecules of living matter interact to create life and operate within the cell and the whole organism.

The Institute of Biomedical Science who accredit the BSc Biomedical Science degree, specify Molecular Biology as a Key Subject Area required within their accredited courses. Qualified Biomedical Scientists may be employed within NHS laboratories where they are required to use Molecular Biology techniques such as Polymerase Chain Reaction.

BSc Biomedical Science graduates who seek employment within academic or government research laboratories or within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry will also find that Molecular Biology is a common and key discipline underlying basic cellular biology and behaviour in many research contexts.

You will learn about the applications of Molecular Biology techniques in analyses of DNA, RNA and protein. You also will further develop your key practical skills in Molecular Biology and will learn about detailed methodology used for gene manipulation.

Cellular Biology

Cell biology is at the forefront of research and biological, biochemical and medical sciences. This unit will examine the cellular processes that have driven the recent revolution in biotechnology and explore the ability to use molecular biology to diagnose and treat human genetic disorders in the current post-genomic era.

This unit is relevant to graduates who seek employment within academic or government research laboratories or within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries. Cellular Biology is a common and key discipline underlying basic biology and behaviour in many research contexts.

Within Cellular Biology you will learn about cell organisation and review genetic abnormalities and their relationship to metabolic disorders and cancers. You will practice a technique to measure cellular proliferation and analyse the data.

Professional Practice Year (Life Sciences)

The aim of this unit is to provide the opportunity to undertake career-related experience which will allow you to understand and undertake responsibilities in the work place at an appropriate level and use the opportunity to assess your readiness to undertake a career in your chosen field.