Programme Specification
BSc/MSci Biochemistry
Academic Year: 2019/20
This 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 full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.
This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our .
This specification should be read in conjunction with:
- Reg. XX (Undergraduate Awards) (see
- Module Specifications
- Summary
- Aims
- Learning outcomes
- Structure
- Progression & weighting
Programme summary
| Awarding body/institution | Â鶹ֱ²¥ University |
| Teaching institution (if different) | |
| Owning school/department | School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences |
| Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body | |
| Final award | BSc (Hons)/ BSc (Hons) + DPS/ BSc (Hons) + DIntS; MSci (Hons)/ MSci (Hons) + DPS/ MSci (Hons) + DIntS |
| Programme title | Biochemistry |
| Programme code | PSUB16/PSUM06 |
| Length of programme | BSc 3 years; BSc with DPS/DIntS 4 years; MSci 4 years; MSci with DPS/DIntS 5 years |
| UCAS code | C702, C700, C703, C701 |
| Admissions criteria | BSc - BSc + DPS/DIntS - MSci - MSci + DPS/DIntS - |
| Date at which the programme specification was published | Tue, 06 Aug 2019 10:44:38 BST |
1. Programme Aims
- To develop students’ scientific knowledge and understanding of scientific processes underlying life on earth from the molecular to organism level, with particular focus on those relevant to human health
- To develop students’ programme relevant practical skills, application of these skills to address a problem, and their critical awareness of practical techniques
- To develop students’ intellectual skills to research and synthesise scientific information, to apply their knowledge to develop arguments and to critically evaluate material, to equip graduates with the skills necessary to update their knowledge and understanding over a future career.
- To develop research skills to enable students to design and test hypotheses and to interpret and present data.
- To provide students with the opportunity to apply intellectual, research, and practical skills to design and conduct an independent piece of research
- To facilitate students’ engagement with emerging research in selected specialised areas to further their depth of understanding of life processes and develop their appreciation of the provisional nature of scientific knowledge
- To enable students to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of biochemistry in an industrial, economic, environmental, social and ethical context
- To equip students with transferable and independent learning skills for relevant employment
- Through providing the above skills, to advance students’ understanding of the breadth of biochemistry to support a variety of potential careers in both academia and industry through study, research and the opportunity to specialise via a dedicated research project in a chosen scientific area
- To support students with knowledge and skills acquisition in the fundamental areas of Biochemistry, Biology and Chemistry in conjunction with supporting subject areas
Additional Aims at Part D
- To foster in students a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights at the forefront of biochemistry research
- To equip students with a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship
- To develop students’ ability to show originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge for the interrogation of complex life systems
- To provide students with an understanding and ability to work between disciplines, including an awareness of techniques, methods and protocols used across the scope of the Biosciences.
2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:
- The Benchmark Statement for Biosciences
- The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
3. Programme Learning Outcomes
3.1 Knowledge and Understanding
On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the following areas:
|
K1 |
Key subject specific terminology, nomenclature, conventions and units; |
| K2 | The fundamental experimental techniques which inform the discipline; |
| K3 | Some major issues currently at the frontiers of research and development; |
| K4 | Safety, risk, hazard and ethics assessment as relevant to the discipline; |
| K5 | The main types of biological reaction and the key chemical characteristics associated with them; |
| K6 | The complexity of biological phenomena and how this is associated with evolutionary theory; |
| K7 | The diversity of structure in biology and the interrelationship between structure and function; |
| K8 | The rules of inheritance as governed and influenced by the structure of DNA; |
| K9 | Cellular types and key stages of cellular metabolism; |
| K10 | The association between societal developments and biological advances with an emphasis on the ethical landscape of biology; |
| K11 | The principles and methods used in understanding biochemistry and its relationship to health; |
| K12 | The methods for assessing the interactions between chemicals and biological systems; |
| K13 | The principles and procedures used in macromolecular analysis and the characterisation of structure leading to an understanding of molecular structure and behaviour; |
| K14 | The laws of chemistry and thermodynamics and their pivotal role in biological reactions (including catalysis); |
Additional knowledge and understanding at Part D:
| K15 | A systematic and comprehensive understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at the forefront of scientific research; |
| K16 | Knowledge and awareness of the accepted norms and professional expectations associated with the generation and publication of scientific results; |
3.2 Skills and other attributes
a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to:
|
C1 |
Apply their knowledge and understanding of essential facts, key concepts, principles and theories to solve problems and debate critical issues within the subject area; |
| C2 | Identify and analyse novel scientific problems and plan strategies for their solution, and apply acquired knowledge and understanding to inform individual research; |
| C3 | Solve quantitative and qualitative problems and collate, evaluate and interpret scientific information and data; |
| C4 | Research, justify and critically evaluate scientific material and arguments in a coherent and organised way appropriately adapted to the audience; |
Additional subject specific cognitive skills at Part D:
| C5 | Select appropriate research and enquiry strategies to solve complex problems or problems with incomplete data; |
| C6 | Demonstrate advanced analytical thinking skills and be able to handle complex information in a structured and systematic way; |
| C7 | Critically evaluate current research, appropriate to the speciality; |
b. Subject-specific practical skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to:
|
P1 |
Apply a broad range of practical investigative techniques including data collection, data analysis, statistical evaluation, hypotheses formulating and testing, current contextualisation and external referencing and validation; |
| P2 | Record, describe and critically evaluate data sets; |
| P3 | Extract, manipulate and interpret data from scientific databases; |
| P4 | Handle materials safely by taking into account their physical and inherent material properties, e.g. biological activity or chemical hazards; |
| P5 | Conduct standard laboratory procedures including the operation of standard instrumentation for the analysis of materials and recording of results; |
| P6 | Appropriately, monitor, record and document events and changes by observation and measurement; |
| P7 | Plan, design and execute practical investigations from the problem recognition stage, to the selection of appropriate techniques and procedures, through to the evaluation and appraisal of the results and findings; |
| P8 | Conduct thorough hazard/risk assessments associated with scientific investigations covering the materials, equipment and laboratory/field environment and comply with relevant ethical approval procedures for working with humans, human tissue samples, and mammalian cell culture; |
Additional subject specific practical skills at Part D
| P9 | Apply appropriate research techniques to develop new insights to investigate and solve problems; |
| P10 | Explain experimental results in terms of a broad range of theoretical mechanisms and concepts; |
c. Key transferable skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to:
|
T1 |
Apply numeracy and computational skills including error analysis, order of magnitude estimations, correct use of units and modes of data presentation; |
| T2 | Generate, organise, analyse and interpret quantitative, numerical, statistical and other forms of data effectively; |
| T3 | Select and apply appropriate technology from the range available to collate, present and evaluate results and ideas to a professional standard; |
| T4 | Work independently to solve problems, find alternative solutions, reach end goals and evaluate outcomes; |
| T5 | Deploy critical judgements and evaluations to arrive at supported conclusions; |
| T6 | Effectively manage time and effort in the organisation of work to ensure independent and pragmatic learning; |
| T7 | Work effectively in a team by co-operating and negotiating with peers, making decisions and resolving issues, difficulties and conflicts, as applicable; |
| T8 | Communicate in a variety of formats, both written and oral; |
Additional transferable skills at Part D
| T9 | Exercise initiative and demonstrate personal responsibility including in the making of decisions; |
| T10 | Demonstrate an advanced ability to handle and interpret complex information in a structured and systematic way; |
| T11 | Develop the independent learning skills required for continued professional development and lifelong learning; |
| T12 | Understand and be able to interrogate and apply a variety of theoretical and interpretive positions and be able to weigh the importance of alternative perspectives. |
4. Programme structure
Compulsory and optional modules must be taken such that the total modular weight for the year is 120 credits.
Year-long modules have equal credit weightings per semester.
4.1 Part A - Compulsory Introductory Modules:
|
Code |
Module Title |
Modular Weight |
Semester |
|
PSA601 |
Laboratory Skills for Biology I | 20 | 1&2 |
| PSA602 | Biochemistry and Cell Biology | 20 | 1 |
| CMA112 | Fundamental Chemistry | 20 | 1 |
| PSA604 | Study Skills, Research Design and Data Description | 20 | 1&2 |
| CMA106 | Structure and Reactivity I | 20 | 2 |
| PSA603 | Genetics and Molecular Biology | 20 |
2 |
4.2a Part B - Compulsory Degree Modules:
|
Code |
Module Title |
Modular Weight |
Semester |
|
PSB612 |
Functional Genomics | 20 | 1 |
| PSB611 | Laboratory Skills for Biology II | 20 | 1&2 |
| PSB403 | Research Methods: Data Analysis | 20 | 1&2 |
| PSB022 | Biochemistry of Exercise and Nutrition | 20 | 1&2 |
| PSB613 | Cellular Signalling and Transport | 20 |
2 |
4.2b Part B - Optional Degree Modules:
20 credits from optional modules listed in the table below and may include 10-credits from the University-wide Undergraduate Module Catalogue or Language Programme:
|
Code |
Module Title |
Modular Weight |
Semester |
|
CMB106 |
Structure and Reactivity II | 20 | 1 |
| CMB104 | Spectroscopy and Analysis 2 | 20 | 1 |
| CMB111 | Interdisciplinary Science | 20 | 1&2 |
| PSA606 | Anatomy and Physiology | 20 |
1&2 |
Compulsory and optional modules must be taken such that the total modular weight for the year is 120 credits, with a minimum modular weight of 50 in each semester.
4.3 Part I - Placement (for programmes with DPS or DInts only)
DPS Route: Candidates on degree programmes with professional training will register for the non-credit bearing placement module PSI002.
OR
DIntS Route: Candidates on degree programmes with international studies will register for the non-credit bearing placement module PSI005.
4.4a Part C - Compulsory Degree Modules:
Candidates must take the compulsory 40 credit Bioscience Research Project module which is divided between semesters with a permitted modular weight distribution of 10:30 or 20:20.
|
Code |
Module Title |
Modular Weight |
Semester |
|
PSC200 |
Project | 40 | 1&2 |
4.4b Part C - Optional Degree Modules:
80 credits from the optional modules listed in the table below to bring the total credit weighting for each semester to 50, 60 or 70:
|
Code |
Module Title |
Modular Weight |
Semester |
|
PSC621 |
Cellular Adaptation and Degeneration | 20 | 1 |
| PSC622 | Advanced Genetics of Health | 20 | 1 |
| PSC624 | Virology and Oncology | 20 | 1 |
| XXXXXX | Pharmaceutical Analysis and Drug Metabolism | 20 | 1&2 |
| PSC623 | Regenerative Medicine | 20 | 2 |
| CMD401 | Drugs: Modes of Action and Screening$ | 20 | 2 |
| CMD402 | Drug Synthetics and Properties$ | 20 | 2 |
$modules run alternate academic years
Compulsory and optional modules must be taken such that the total modular weight for the year is 120 credits, with a minimum modular weight of 50 in each semester.
4.5 Part D - MSci Compulsory Modules:
Candidates must take 120 credits of compulsory modules:
|
Code |
Module Title |
Modular Weight |
Semester |
|
PSD630 |
Part D Bioscience Research Project | 80 | 1&2 |
| PSD631 | Contemporary Health Issues | 20 | 2 |
| PSD632 | Advanced Laboratory and Research Methods in Biology | 20 | 1 |
5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award
For BSc
In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX and Regulation XI for programmes with DPS and DIntS (if applicable).
For MSci
For MSci students commencing Part A prior to 2019, in order to progress from Part A to B, from Part B to either Part I or Part C, from Part C to Part D and to be eligible for the award of an Extended Honours degree, candidates must achieve 120 credits and an average mark of 50% at each part.
For MSci commencing Part A or joining a cohort commencing Part A from 2019/20 onwards in order to progress from Part A to B, from Part B to either Part I or Part C, from Part C to Part D and to be eligible for the award of an Extended Honours degree, candidates must achieve 120 credits and an average mark of 55% at each part.
Candidates who, after reassessment, fail to achieve this mark at Part C will not progress to Part D, but may, at the discretion of the Examiners, be eligible for consideration for the award of BSc with a classification based on the candidate’s performance in Parts B and C and determined on the basis of the Part weightings for the BSc programme (40:60).
Candidates who, after reassessment, fail to qualify for the award of Extended Honours Degree in Part D may, at the discretion of the Examiners, be awarded a BSc with a classification based on the candidate’s performance in Parts B and C and determined on the basis of the Part weightings for the BSc programme (40:60).
Subject to the exception specified below, provision will be made in accordance with Regulation XX for candidates who have the right of re-assessment in any Part of the programme to undergo re-assessment in the University's Special Assessment Period (SAP).
Candidates who have accumulated fewer than 60 credits in any Part of the programme may not undergo re-assessment in the University’s SAP. Re-assessment in the SAP will also not be available for certain modules and this is indicated in individual module specifications.
6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification
Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C (and D if applicable). For BSc (Hons) degrees, the percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part C 60%: Part B 40% to determine the final percentage mark. For MSci degrees, the percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part D 40%: Part C 40%: Part B 20% to determine the final percentage mark.
