Biological Sciences (Biochemistry) BSc (Hons)

First Year Module in Focus: Health and Disease

This module will survey the epidemiology of the most common human diseases contracted in developed nations, give insight into the pathophysiology of these conditions and an overview of modern treatments. Finally, given estimates of the general effect of genetics versus environment on our health, we cover life-style strategies to minimise, delay and perhaps avoid the contraction of these diseases. The module also focuses on the development of skills essential for working in a multidisciplinary team in the medical or biosciences whatever your vocation.

Second Year Module in Focus: Molecular and Cellular Biology

This module concentrates on practical aspects of molecular biology. In the first semester you will work in a group to attempt an ambitious experiment that takes place over 11 weeks. Starting with DNA sequence from the Human Genome Project you will design a method of isolating a human leukaemia-associated gene, place the gene’s DNA into a bacterial plasmid, sequence the gene to ensure it is correct then engineer bacteria to make this human leukaemia-associated protein.

In the second semester you will explore in depth the mechanics of the cell and how it communicates with its environment, looking in detail of the apparatus of cell signalling. This topic is of great importance as it underpins much research into the molecular genetics of many diseases, for example cancer.

Third Year Module in Focus: Biochemistry of Cancer

This module centres on developing a deeper understanding of how cancer develops, which includes the biochemical and molecular basis of DNA mutation, epigenetics, metastasis and much more. For the practical sessions, we use an authentic learning approach in which you will operate as a diagnostic team member. By evaluating case histories and analysing samples in the laboratory, you will diagnose and determine the treatment strategy for a mock cancer patient. This module provides our students with an opportunity to develop their team working and presentation skills.

Teaching

You will be taught through a combination of activities including on-campus and online lectures and seminars (tutor and student-led), practical laboratory investigations and/or field trips, tutorials, directed reading, self-directed study, group work and team projects, reflective practice, class discussions, case studies, independent research, and interactive workshops. Interactive workshops take a variety of formats and are intended to enable the application of learning through discussion and small group activities. Seminars enable the discussion and development of understanding of topics covered in lectures, and laboratory practical/field work sessions are focused on developing confidence in relevant practical skills and the ability to relate theory to practice.

To maximise flexibility for the wide range of students typically studying at the University of Worcester, some sessions may be delivered as blended learning via platforms such as the Blackboard VLE.

In addition, meetings with Personal Academic Tutors (PATs) are scheduled on at least four occasions in the first year and three occasions in each of the subsequent years of a course. These meetings are designed to support reflection on feedback, identify learning needs and to help students with their more general personal academic development. There is an opportunity to undertake a work experience module at Level 5. Students may also engage with an exchange scheme, spending a semester abroad.

The BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences course handbook shows how the Science Personal Development Planning skills, (based on the QAA Subject Benchmark Statement Biosciences October 2019), are linked to the individual modules in the course. Key and Transferable skills are mainly expressed through the Science PDP scheme. Practical skills for employment are also addressed through the Biosciences Skills Passport where students on all levels of the course will have the practical skills, they have gained recorded.

Contact time

In a typical week, students will have at least 12 contact hours of teaching, most of which will be on campus. The precise contact hours will depend on the optional modules selected and in the final year there is normally slightly less contact time to allow students to focus on their research project.

Typically, class contact time will be structured around:

• 4 hours of lectures/seminars
• 7 hours of supervised laboratory practicals
• 1 hour of group workshops
• 1 hour of Study Skills (Level 4 only)

Class sizes will vary; core subjects tend to have larger classes (70+), whilst more specialised modules will have smaller class sizes, often of 15 – 25.

Independent self-study

In addition to the contact time, students are expected to undertake around 24 hours of personal self-study per week. Typically, this will involve:

• Reviewing lecture notes and reading around topics to reinforce and expand on content
• Directed and self-directed reading and watching of video content
• Working through problems in appropriate texts and online
• Preparation of coursework assignments and revising for exams
• Working with colleagues on team tasks and projects

Independent learning is supported by a range of excellent learning facilities, including the Hive and library resources, the virtual learning environment, and extensive electronic learning resources.

Teaching staff

You will be taught by a committed, experienced, and expert teaching team. The team includes lecturers, senior and principal lecturers, associate lecturers, visiting professionals, laboratory technicians.

Teaching is informed by research and consultancy, and 82% of lecturers on the course have a higher education teaching qualification or are Fellows of the Higher Education Academy. You will be taught by academics whose research is nationally and internationally recognised..

You can learn more about the staff by visiting our staff profiles.

Assessment

The course provides opportunities to test understanding and learning informally through the completion of practice or ‘formative’ assignments. Each module has one or more formal or ‘summative’ assessment which is graded and counts towards the overall module grade. The precise assessment requirements for an individual student in an academic year will vary according to the mandatory and optional modules taken, but a typical formal summative assessment pattern for each year of the course is:

Year 1 (Level 4):

• 4 x lab reports
• 1 x scientific article
• 1 x video project
• 2 x short in-class test assessments
• 1 x exam, 2 x oral presentations
• 1 x practical test.

Year 2 (Level 5)

• 3 x practical file/report
• 2 x exams
• 2 x poster presentations
• 1 x practical test
• 1 x research proposal
• 1 x analysis skills test
• 2 x portfolio.

Year 3 (Level 6):

• 2 x practical reports
• 4 x exam
• 1 x oral exam
• 1 x in-class test
• 1 x literature review
• 2 x reports
• 1 x interim review
• 1 x research project report
• 1 x poster presentation.

Feedback

You will receive feedback on practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback on examination performance is available upon request from the module leader. Feedback is intended to support learning and you are encouraged to discuss it with personal academic tutors and module tutors as appropriate.

We aim to provide you with feedback on formal course work assessments within 20 working days of hand-in.

Programme specification

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please download the latest programme specification document.