Life Sciences BSc

Compulsory

• BB1725 - Biology of the Cell

  This module aims to provide a broad introduction to the understanding of living organisms at the cellular level through the study of genetics, cell biology and microbiology.

• GY1604 - Biosphere and Ecology

  To give students the knowledge and understanding of ecology, evolution and biogeography to enable them to describe the biosphere and explain the form and function of ecosystems. Students successful on this module will be able to look out of a window anywhere in the world and describe the processes that contributed to the formation of the ecosystem they can see in front of them.

• PY1611 - Brain and Cognition

  This module provides a grounding in cognitive and biological psychology.

• LS1600 - Critical Scientific Reading and Communication

  This module shows how the different areas of life sciences intersect using recent peer reviewed papers as an illustrative tool. Ethical issues surrounding genetics, medicine and science will be discussed. This assessment won "Most Innovative Form of Assessment" for the College at the 2019 Teaching Awards.

• BB1726 - Experimental Design and Bioinformatics

  To develop the competencies required in basic laboratory skills, experimental design and data analysis.

• SP1606 - Fundamentals of Human Anatomy and Physiology

  To provide students with a foundational knowledge of human anatomy and physiology in relation to sport, health and exercise contexts, to raise students’ awareness of key theories, principles and processes as they apply to sport, health and exercise-related activities and to engender an appreciation of how learned theories, principles and concepts may be applied in an interdisciplinary manner.

• BB1723 - Medical Biochemistry

  This module aims to introduce students to important classes of biomolecules and the ways in which these molecules are involved in biomedical pathways.

Compulsory

• Elective Study
• BB2707 - Career Planning and Entrepreneurship

  This module aims to develop recognition and competencies needed to gain employment and awareness of entrepreneurial skills.

Optional

• BB2738 - Analytical and Clinical Biochemistry

  This module aims to provide an understanding of a range of biochemical techniques used for clinical research and diagnosis.

• BB2739 - Applied Molecular and Cell Biology

  This module aims to provide students with a deeper understanding of molecular biology of cell growth and division, DNA replication through to protein synthesis and the role of enzymes within prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

• BB2734 - Bioinformatics and Big Data Analysis

  This module introduces the basics of R programming to read data and to perform simple analyses and graphs. Students will perform the statistical analysis mastered in their first year using R.

• GY2603 - Climate Change

  An understanding of the evidence for, and mechanisms behind, climate change. The module will allow students to explore data and analytical approaches to climate change and to unpick the precise mechanisms through which changes to the climate system are happening

• PY2611 - Cognitive Neuroscience

  This module aims to introduce students to: the different modes of human cognition (perceiving, imagining, reasoning, remembering, and language), to the main techniques used to study cognition, to the main empirical results in cognitive psychology, and to the main theories of cognition including historically important theories.

• LS2601 - Developing Research Methods and Data Analysis Skills

  To develop students’ appreciation of key ontological and epistemological positions, related research paradigms, methodologies and representations of data, to develop students’ understanding of the nature of different research paradigms, and associated techniques for data collection, analysis and presentation, to consolidate and develop quantitative research skills, understandings of statistical analysis and representations of data. To develop students’ ability to identify and frame viable research questions and appropriate methods for answering those questions, to provide the opportunity for students to create a proposal for a theoretically grounded final year project and to develop students’ understanding of research ethics and related processes.

• BB2736 - Developmental Genetics and Stem Cell Biology

  This module provides students with an understanding of embryogenesis and foetal development through the study of developmental mechanisms in model organisms and the role of stem cells in development.

• PY2610 - Developmental Psychology

  To examine key questions and theoretical debates in developmental psychology, to discuss and evaluate methodological approaches used to study human development, to develop a critical understanding of empirical evidence and theories related to key topics in developmental psychology (e.g., social, cognitive, and biological development across the lifespan) and to cover, in depth, the BPS curriculum area of developmental psychology.

• GY2607 - Ecosystems Stressors

  This module provides students with an understanding of pressure on Earth's ecological systems alongside the observed and predicted impacts.

• BB2731 - Genetics, Genomics and Human Health

  To provide students with a deeper understanding of the field of eukaryotic genetics and genomics. It will span from Mendelian genetics to the development of molecular genetics, genetic engineering, present day genomic technologies and the post genomic era.

• BB2735 - Human Pathology and Immunology

  To provide understanding of the cellular and molecular pathological processes involved in the development of important human diseases and to provide their diagnoses and treatments.

  This is accompanied by a a broad understanding of immunological mechanisms both in human health and disease, including innate and adaptive immunity, immune dysregulation and vaccine development.

• BB2732 - Medical Microbiology

  This module aims to give an understanding of medically important pathogens and infectious diseases, including epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical symptoms, therapeutics, vaccination and public health importance.

• SP2617 - Physiology of Sport and Exercise
  The aim of this module is to provide an overview of the body’s immediate response to, and recovery from, a single bout of exercise. Students will critically analyse and interpret experimental data. This will illustrate how the physiological systems of the body respond over time and adapt to the stress of repeated bouts of exercise, including how the body adjusts to environmental extremes (e.g. heat, cold and altitude).
• SP2618 - The Psychology of Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity: Theory and Application

  This module supports students to synthesise and critically evaluate contemporary sport and exercise psychology research. Topics covered include individual differences, exercise and cognitive function, decision-making and attention. Students also have the opportunity to showcase their own research project, for which they collect data as part of a team.

• GY2606 - Sustainable Development and Political Ecology

  Learn to understand environmental questions through a lens of political ecology. The module will provide opportunities to reflect on and develop own attitudes and values in relation to the environment. 

Compulsory

• Elective Study
• LS36XX - Final Year Research Project

  The module aims to provide the students with experience of conducting and writing up a substantial independent empirical research project in the Life Sciences. Possible research topics will be related to areas of staff expertise and include a broad range of both non-laboratory and laboratory-based projects. Specifically the aims of this module are to develop students’ ability to systematically investigate, using appropriate research methods, a topic related to the major stream of their studies in the Life Sciences, to cultivate in students independence of thought and the ability to find, interpret, and present material according to prescribed methods of investigation in the Life Sciences, to develop in students effective project management skills including an efficient use of resources and time and the capacity to meet identified deliverables, to ensure that students understand and meet requirements for ethical research in their Research Project, if applicable, to support students in developing effective communication skills and positive and productive professional working relationships and to support students in using appropriate technologies in research and project management.

Optional

• SP3619 - Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology
  The aim of this module is to familiarise students with contemporary topics in applied sport and exercise psychology (e.g. imagery, anxiety and performance and exercise as a mental health intervention), as well as encouraging deep thinking about the links between research and applied practice. The content covers relevant concepts, theories and research to derive applied interventions.
• BB3742 - The Biology and Treatment of Cancer

  To provide a detailed understanding of cancer, including the genes involved in carcinogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment.

• PY3632 - Disorders of Perception and Movement Control

  To critically evaluate theories relating to spatial perception, mechanisms underlying the control of movement and memory processes that are associated with them. The module draws upon experimental research and cognitive disorders that affect these processes (e.g., stroke and Parkinson’s disease) and to provide a practical introduction to the measurement of perception and motor control in psychology research and their potential application in clinical groups.

• PY3635 - Drugs, Hormones and the Brain

  To study the principles of neurotransmission, synaptic physiology and plasticity, to survey findings in psychopharmacology on the neurochemical basis of psychological disorders, pharmacological approaches to treatment, and mechanisms of action for recreational drugs/drugs of abuse and to survey findings in behavioural endocrinology on relationships between hormones and behaviour.

• BB3741 - Epidemiology and Disease Prevention

  To develop understanding of biomedical studies using human data at population level. Additional skills would include critical thinking about study design and dealing with different biases that could impact epidemiological inferences.

• BB3734 - Gene Therapies and Related Technologies

  To provide an understanding of the molecular aspects of biology relating to human disease and its genetic basis. How genetic diseases can be corrected using this knowledge and the molecular technologies required for treatment. 'Gene and Cell therapies and related technologies' will introduce how knowledge of the human genome gained from forward and reverse genetics and the Encyclopaedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) enables molecular intervention for successful treatments. Gene transfer technologies will be described alongside DNA and RNA sequence technologies to support an in-depth knowledge of the subject. Importantly, the safety profiles and potential side effects of gene transfer will be an important focus of the taught material. Lastly, the importance of protecting novel technologies will be taught with lectures on intellectual property for commercial exploitation.

• BB3744 - Genomic Medicine

  To introduce students to the principles of understanding medicine from the post-genomic perspective. To explore genomic organisation by integrating genomic, molecular and cell biology approaches.

• GY3603 - Leadership for Change

  To further develop the leadership and influence skills that will help students to promote sustainability or other forms of positive change within society and the environment (either individually or collectively). To encourage innovation, entrepreneurialism, the acquisition of additional awards and professional qualifications and to engage in personal and professional development activities that will enhance students’ employability.

• BB3745 - Medical Biochemistry

  This module will give students an understanding of selected specialist areas in biochemistry: steroid hormone biosynthesis and actions, cholesterol and calcium homeostasis.

• BB3739 - Medical Immunology

  To study advanced immunology with up-to-date knowledge of molecular and cellular interactions in the immune system. To apply immunological principles to the current understanding of various biological and clinical processes and mechanisms including cancer, transplantation, autoimmunity, pregnancy and aging, and immune intervention. Teaching will include information of the current research undertaken in Biosciences.

• BB3738 - Microbial Pathogenesis

  To provide a comprehensive understanding of cellular and molecular basis of microbial pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions.

• BB3740 - Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology

  To give students an understanding of the mode of action of drugs in the body, their therapeutic and toxic effects, as well as the way the body processes those drugs. To encourage students to critically evaluate drug development and safety testing.

• GY3604 - Nature-Based Climate Solution

  Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as “actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems, that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits”. This module will examine the ecological basis for NbS and explore the possibilities for implementing NbS in the context of societal demands for security from the negative consequences of climate change. NbS will be compared and contrasted with other types of adaptation and mitigation strategies, such as hard flood defences and carbon capture and storage and students will develop skills in identifying and critiquing a range of climate change adaptation and mitigation solutions, as well as policies that influence them.

• SP3618 - Physiological Limitations to Exercise Performance

  To provide a sound knowledge of the physiological determinants of exercise performance, with a specific focus on the high-performance athlete, to engage students in a detailed study of physiological limitations to exercise and to enable students to critically assess the influence of environmental extremes on exercise performance.