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.

Skills In Pharmaceutical Sciences

This unit will introduce you as a new student to the study of biology-based sciences at University level in the context of the discovery and application of drugs and other chemicals of importance to humans and other biological systems. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Pharmacology

Pharmacology will develop your knowledge and understanding of the molecular, cellular and physiological mechanisms of drug action and its role in alleviating human diseases. It emphases pharmacodynamics that evaluates drug action in the body at biochemical and physiological levels, and pharmacokinetics that examines how the body responds to drugs. Pharmacodynamics computer simulations will help you model drug actions. Pharmacology is an pivotal discipline due to its key role in the pharmaceutical industry

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. 

Human Metabolism

Human Metabolism is a fundamental discipline in biochemical and pharmaceutical sciences.  Additionally, the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, who accredit the BSc Biomedical Science course, list the biochemistry of processes that support life including cellular metabolism and its control as a key area of curriculum. This unit provides a theoretical understanding of the biochemical and cellular basis of human metabolism and aims to:

Introduce the basic processes of human metabolism: how the main classes of biomolecules are degraded and synthesised. 

Extend biochemical concepts from level 4 regarding the structure of biomolecules (carbohydrates, proteins and fats) to their enzymatic inter-conversions and how these are used to produce energy, energy storage compounds, functional and structural proteins and signalling molecules. 

Explain how metabolic transformations inactivate and, sometimes, activate drug molecules. The pharmacological relevance and utility of metabolic poisons will also be considered.

Drug Development

An understanding of how the complexities of the drug development cycle impacts upon the progress of ‘hits’ identified in high throughput assays through to new drugs   crucial in the pharmaceutical sector. To introduce the principles of high throughput automated assays in the identification and evaluation of new drugs. To compare and contrast traditional screening approaches with ‘in silico’ drug design. To extend the concept of drug design to encompass how drugs are metabolised and the impact of this process on successful drug development. To apply this knowledge to how drugs can be brought to market and the effects on the success and profitability of the pharmaceutical sector.

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

Immunology

The human immune system is second only to the nervous system in terms of its complexity and importance. The unit will impart a detailed understanding of  the immune system and how it functions in protecting against a vast range of pathogens and against diseases that arise within the body such as cancer and autoimmunity. This unit will enable you to you appreciate the crucial roles of the immune system in health and disease.

The Institute of Biomedical Science who accredit the BSc Biomedical Science degree specify Immunology as key subject area required within all their accredited courses. Qualified Biomedical Scientists may be employed as immunologists within NHS laboratories, where they are required to analyse samples from patients for evidence of immune-mediated diseases or match tissues for transplantation.

By comprehending the specific roles of the different cellular and humoral arms of the immune system you will learn how these different elements of the immune system interact to produce an appropriate, correctly directed and effective immune response. You will also become aware of how this complex system can malfunction and the serious impact of inappropriate immune responses on human health.

You will also learn about how immune specificity can be harnessed to produce effective modern technologies to prevent, diagnose and treat disease.

Immunology is particularly relevant to you if you wish to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical, biomedical or biotechnology industries, or in hospital diagnostic, veterinary or biomedical research laboratories.

Clinical Pharmacology And Public Health

This unit will provide an review of the theoretical concepts underlying pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Then explore their bearing on dosage optimization, the assessment of safety and efficacy of medicines in patients and the role of these studies in translating drug regimens into clinical practice. Emphasis will be on the relationships between drug delivery, pharmacokinetics, signal transduction, homeostasis, disease progression and treatment outcome. It will serve to illustrate how these topics contribute to the clinical arena. The sociological aspects of modern medicine and its contribution of public health in a wider context will be explored.

Pharmacogenetics

Pharmacogenomics will play a pivotal role in health care provision. It will inform a shift to “stratified medicine” in which bespoke drug therapies will be tailored to optimize individual patient outcomes and reduce troublesome side effects. The use of genomic biomarkers as predictors for drug responses and prevention of adverse reactions will become the primary basis of pharmacogenomic screening and use of using genomic biomarkers employed currently or in development will be considered.

Translational Medicine

The role of public-patient engagement in translational medicine and its implementation will be considered alongside the means for final commercialisation of the novel technologies (devices, procedures, engineering or IT solutions). The concepts of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Clinical Trials design and implementation will be discussed. To impart the background to the regulatory and ethical considerations, alongside the practical requirements, in the translation of new technologies into clinical environments. The use of pre-clinical models and UK regulations for their use will be introduced. As regulatory regimes are increasingly internationalized, the content will have considerable relevance outside the UK/EU.

Toxicology

The difference between a drug and a toxin is impossible to define adequately. Any compound (even water) has adverse effects at a high enough dose. The aim is to emphasise this ambiguity by imparting the underlying principles of toxicology and demonstrating how toxic chemicals including pharmaceuticals can produce adverse effects.

The aims of the module are to give a broad understanding of toxicology, from basic concepts and molecular mechanisms to specific organ toxicities and the crucial importance of pre-clinical/clinical pharmaceutical toxicology testing. The toxicology of therapeutic drugs, drugs of abuse, environmental pollutants and toxic chemicals of industrial importance will also be described. The module will provide a broad overview of toxicology with specific relevance to its application in the pharmaceutical sector. It will integrate aspects of clinical toxicology, drug metabolism and toxicokinetics, with extensive use of both clinical case reports concerning adverse drug reactions, drug misuse the clinical treatment of toxic poisoning.

Pharmacology Of Disease

Pharmaceuticals exist to treat disease and obviously it is vital that the correct drug therapies are used for each illness. This unit will integrate the causes of disease (metabolic, neoplastic, inherited, autoimmune and infectious) and how they progress from health to disease symptoms, with how treatments can intervene in the underlying pathophysiology to relieve the illness and so its symptoms. The focus of this unit is human illness and its treatment; the underlying mechanisms often apply to veterinary disease. The unit will equip you with the skills to relate biological characteristics of disease as it affects cells, tissues and organisms to the underlying fundamental processes and how these can be modified by specific pharmaceuticals to produce clinically desirable outcomes for the patient. Understanding how drugs can target specifically processes that cause disease is central to the pharmaceutical sector.

Drug Dispensing And Healthcare Policy

Pharmaceutical products (e.g. prescription or OTC drugs, controlled drugs, injections, infusions, blood-derived products, topical, external, and oral preparations, medicated interactive dressings, and medical gases) are hazardous and so managed using regulated standards and consistent procedures, which can also be extended to disinfectants and diagnostic reagents. The aims of this unit are:
To appreciate the importance of safe and secure handling and administration of pharmaceutical products
To increase awareness of potential risks to patients (and clinical staff) arising from the use and handling of medicines.
To understand how medicines are safely handled, prescribed, dispensed, and administered, and the authorizations required for healthcare practitioners
To assess how medicines are managed in a safe and consistent manner by prescribers, pharmacists, and practitioners administering them to ensure that patient safety and care-quality is maximised
To appreciate regulatory, legal, and health and safety requirements.

Pharmacology Research Project

This unit is an essential part of any BSc (Hons) degree. Level 6 students undertake scientific research and provides an opportunity to develop and appraise your personal qualities to inform your post-degree environment choice. You will plan, design and execute a piece of research work for which you will produce a formal report. You will develop your abilities to read, research and understand scientific literature. Your project will set a research question relevant to your degree and you must critically appraise your data, placing it in the context of its field. You will then provide a set of conclusions in response to your fundamental question. Full ethical consideration of your research question must also be carried out.

During your project, you will develop reflective skills as applied to research as you write your Reflective Research Record. 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 appropriate to a 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 as appropriate.
To use appropriate IT resources to support a written project report, producing documents which demonstrate a range of skills of written expression and scholarly vocabulary.
To communicate your work effectively in meetings with your supervisor and demonstrate 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.

Drug Delivery

Delivering therapeutics in a way that is optimal for patients: safe, pain-free, reliable, targeted, avoiding side-effects and enhancing drug local concentration is a central thrust of current drug development. Recently, drug delivery and targeting efforts have focused on drug carriers to target therapeutics selectively by navigating specific physiological barriers and by site-specific delivery to selected, specific tissues.