Programme Specifications

Biomedical Sciences (Nutrition, Health and Exercise) (with integrated year in industry)


1 : Awarding Institution / Body
Aberystwyth University

2a : Teaching Institution / University
Aberystwyth University

2b : Work-based learning (where appropriate)


Information provided by Department of Life Sciences:



3a : Programme accredited by
Aberystwyth University

3b : Programme approved by
Aberystwyth University

4 : Final Award
Bachelor of Science

5 : Programme title
Biomedical Sciences (Nutrition, Health and Exercise) (with integrated year in industry)

6 : UCAS code
B991

7 : QAA Subject Benchmark


Information provided by Department of Life Sciences:

Biomedical Sciences



8 : Date of publication


Information provided by Department of Life Sciences:

September 2023



9 : Educational aims of the programme


Information provided by Department of Life Sciences:

This degree scheme is designed to provide a broad understanding of the scientific basis of medical biology and explore how nutrition and exercise can be used to prevent and treat medical conditions. This will be achieved via an integrated programme of study, exploring current controversies, concerns and dilemmas relating to human health. Students will study modules in nutrition which links our health to the food we eat and how it is utilised in energy production. Students will also study modules in the subject areas of cell and molecular biology, human anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, microbiology, immunology, nutrition, metabolism, bioinformatics and genetics. They will develop understanding of research methods and the ability to apply this to new and interesting topics. Students will also undertake modules which encourage personal and professional development.

The required content of human anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, microbiology, pharmacology, cell and molecular biology and bioinformatics, identified in the Benchmark statement document for Biomedical Sciences are covered by core scheme modules.

The Biomedical Sciences benchmark statement indicates a greater focus on clinical laboratory skills than the Biosciences Benchmark Statement used as the primary focus of the Human Biology and Health (HBH) learning outcomes. Modules such as Client Assessment, Sport and Exercise Kinesiology, Sports Injury and Physiological Systems, help the students learn about clinical assessment when directly in contact with the client or patient, while modules such as Molecular Laboratory Skills, Cell biology, Microbial Diversity, Immunology, Applied Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, Parasitology develop laboratory based assessment skills suitable for work in clinical settings.

Additionally, the aim of the four year versions of the schemes will aim to develop graduate level skills, such as:

• Working independently

• Working as part of a team

• Respecting the views, beliefs, opinions and values of others

• Listening to, and engaging with, other speakers

• Effective verbal communication in a range of settings, including group discussions and debates and formal presentations

• Effective written communication in a variety of forms

• Use of information technologies to process, store, present and communicate information, including spreadsheets, databases, word processing, e-mail and the world-wide web

• Identifying, retrieving, sorting and handling information from conventional and electronic sources, including libraries, CD-ROMs, on-line computer resources and the world-wide web

• Time management and self-regulation of work regimes

• Research issues and solve problems

• Adapting to change

• Reading comprehension and interpretation of a range of written material

• Observational skills

• Collating, processing, interpreting and presenting numerical data

• Identifying appropriate career pathways and developing the capacity to compete



10 : Intended learning outcomes


Information provided by Department of Life Sciences:



10.1 : Knowledge and understanding


Information provided by Department of Life Sciences:

  • A1 The ability to explain biomedical sciences phenomena at a variety of levels (from molecule to cell to organ and system function) in the human body in relation to health and disease, explaining the common causes and effects of disease and the body's defence mechanisms and approaches to treatment.

  • A2 The ability to recognise and apply subject-specific theories, paradigms, concepts or principles (for example, the relationship between genes and proteins, or the nature of essential similarities and differences between prokaryote and eukaryote cells) to human health.

  • A3 An appreciation of ethical issues and professional integrity and standards in biomedical sciences and the impact this has on society and the advances in the biomedical sciences.

  • A4 An appreciation of the interdisciplinary nature of science and of the validity of different points of view.

  • A5 The ability to apply subject knowledge and understanding to address familiar and unfamiliar problems.

  • A6 Demonstrate a range of transferable skills including initiative, independence and commercial awareness (integrated year in industry version of scheme only).

Learning and Teaching

Lectures; tutorials; student-led seminars; problem-based learning scenarios and case studies; laboratory practicals; literature based research; computer-assisted learning; research leading to a dissertation.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Written examinations and coursework to include: report writing, essay writing, oral and poster presentations; the submission of a dissertation; assessment based on real life problems.



10.2 : Skills and other attributes


Information provided by Department of Life Sciences:

10.2.1 Intellectual Skills

  • B1 The ability to access and evaluate biomedical sciences information from a variety of sources, recognising the limits of current hypotheses and then to communicate the principles both orally and in writing in a way that is organised and topical.

  • B2 The ability to make evidence-based decisions on interpreting methodology and experimental data they collect as well as those published/reported by others by reading primary literature which are used as evidence base for scientific claims. They will be able to comment on the adequacy of the methods used to collect data and make interpretations and will understand statistical significance and statistical power when making judgements about the strength of the evidence.

  • B3 An awareness and understanding of intellectual property issues (IP) issues and how they relate to the innovation process and build on this knowledge and understanding of the role and impact IP within a research environment.

  • B4 The ability to obtain and integrate several lines of subject-specific evidence to formulate and test hypotheses.

  • B5 The ability to recognise the moral and ethical issues of investigations and appreciate the need for ethical standards and professional codes of conduct

  • B6 Demonstrate experience of working in a professional environment (integrated year in industry version of scheme only)

Learning and Teaching

Lectures; tutorials; student-led seminars; problem-based learning scenarios and case studies; work experience and laboratory practicals; literature based research; computer-assisted learning; research leading to a dissertation.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Written examinations and coursework to include: report writing, essay writing, oral and poster presentations; the submission of a dissertation; assessment based on real life problems.

10.2.2 Professional practical skills / Discipline Specific Skills

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

  • C1 The ability to conduct and report on investigations, which may involve primary or secondary data (for example from a survey database). These data may be obtained through individual or group projects in the appropriate subject.

  • C2 Experience and competence in a broad range of appropriate practical techniques and experimental skills relevant to the subject(s) studied within biomedical sciences including data collection, analysis and interpretation of data, and testing of hypotheses as well as the ability to place the work in context and to suggest lines of further investigation.

  • C3 Experience in planning (sample selection; ensuring validity, accuracy, calibration, precision, replicability), execution and presentation of hypothesis-driven experiments within a supported framework in which qualities such as time management, problem solving, and independence are evident, being aware of sample, test or observation, controls, observable outcomes and statistical analysis and highlighting uncertainty during collection.

  • C4 The ability to obtain, record accurately, collate and analyse data in the laboratory or elsewhere using appropriate practical techniques, working individually or in a group, as is most appropriate for the subject and to carry out basic manipulation of data (including qualitative data and statistical analysis, when appropriate).

  • C5 Knowledge and understanding of the application and importance of informed consent, research ethics (including respect for the rights of access and procedures for obtaining ethical permission and informed consent and issues relating to animal welfare and showing sensitivity to the potential impact of any investigations on the study and on other stakeholders), health and safety policies, risk assessment, Good Laboratory Practice, and Control of Substance Hazardous to Health to human biology and health, whilst also recognizing and explaining the importance of quality control and quality assurance as part of an understanding of the need for quality management systems and a culture of continued quality improvements of relevance to the subject(s) of study.

  • C6 Solve problems by a variety of methods, including the use of appropriate software.

  • C7 Applying principles, methods, approaches, concepts, skills and/or theories appropriate to the relevant biological sciences scheme in a professional context, as well as understanding the challenges of working in a professional environment (integrated year in industry version of scheme only).

Learning and Teaching

Professional practical skills are acquired and promoted through practical laboratory classes, lectures, seminars and other class activities, case studies undertaken in a range of real-life situations and experimental research for the dissertation.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Coursework to include: the submission of scientific reports, oral presentations and essays. Students are expected to demonstrate advanced critical, interpretative and analytical skills in both their coursework and written examinations. The dissertation should demonstrate student competence in practical and academic skills.



10.3 : Transferable/Key skills


Information provided by Department of Life Sciences:

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

  • D1 The ability to identify and work towards personal, academic, professional and career targets and development of the skills necessary for self-managed and lifelong learning (for example working independently, time management, organisational, enterprise and knowledge transfer skills); adoption of an adaptable, flexible and effective approach to study and work.

  • D2 The ability to use negotiating skills whilst also recognising and respecting the views and opinions of other team members.

  • D3 The ability to evaluate their own performance as an individual and a team member as well as the performance of others.

  • D4 Development of learning strategies which enable them to update their knowledge of the biomedical sciences.

  • D5 The ability to communicate about their subject appropriately to specialist and non-specialist audiences using a range of formats and approaches and appropriate language for the audience using a range of media critically as a means of communication and a source of information and cite and to reference information in an appropriate manner, including the avoidance of plagiarism.

  • D6 The ability to receive and respond to a variety of sources of information: textual, numerical, verbal, graphical.

  • D7 The ability to prepare, process, interpret and present data, using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques, statistical programmes, spreadsheets and programmes for presenting data visually.

  • D8 The ability to identify individual and collective goals and responsibilities and perform in a manner appropriate to these roles, in particular those being developed through practical, laboratory and/or field studies.

  • D9 Professionalism and an understanding of commercial pressures (integrated year in industry version of scheme only).

Learning and Teaching

Transferable/key skills are incorporated within modules and related to relevant assessments as appropriate. Students learn and develop skills through student and tutor-led seminars; problem-based learning scenarios; self-directed learning, oral presentations and experimental dissertation work. Students are also given the opportunity to produce a CV and will gain feedback. Students will be encouraged to undertake work experience, including access to the Year in Employment Scheme. Students will also develop transferable skills of communication, personal development and career planning.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

The skills listed above are assessed using exercise-based and essay assignments, project work, practical laboratory reports, the dissertation project, seminar presentations, unseen examinations essays and unseen short answer examinations.



11 : Program Structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards



BSC Biomedical Sciences (Nutrition, Health and Exercise) (with integrated year in industry) [B991]

Academic Year: 2023/2024Single Honours scheme - available from 2019/2020

Duration (studying Full-Time): 4 years

Part 1 Rules

Year 1 Core (120 Credits)

Compulsory module(s).

Semester 1
BR16320

Human Physiological Systems

BR17120

Genetics, Evolution and Diversity

BR17400

Skills in Nutrition, and Science Communication

BR17520

Cell Biology

Semester 2
BR16420

Human Anatomy and Kinesiology

BR17320

Biological chemistry

BR17420

Skills in Nutrition, and Science Communication

Part 2 Rules

Year 2 Core (120 Credits)

Compulsory module(s).

Semester 1
BR20620

Applied Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics

BR27420

Sport & Exercise Physiology

BR27500

Research Methods

Semester 2
BR22220

Immunology

BR22520

Sport and Exercise Nutrition

BR25920

Cell and Cancer Biology

BR27520

Research Methods

Year 3 Core (120 Credits)

Compulsory module(s).

Semester 1
BRS0000

Integrated Year in Industry

BRS0100

Integrated Year in Industry

Semester 2
BRS0060

Integrated Year in Industry

BRS0160

Integrated Year in Industry

Final Year Core (60 Credits)

Compulsory module(s).

Semester 1
BR30920

Applied Sports Nutrition

BR36400

Research Project

Semester 2
BR36440

Research Project

Final Year Options

Choose 60 credits

Semester 1
BR32020

Injury and Rehabilitation

BR36120

Molecular Pharmacology

BR37120

Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics

Semester 2
BR33720

Microbial Pathogenesis

BR33820

Parasitology

BR34420

Training and Performance Enhancement

BR36020

Molecular Biology of Development


12 : Support for students and their learning
Every student is allocated a Personal Tutor. Personal Tutors have an important role within the overall framework for supporting students and their personal development at the University. The role is crucial in helping students to identify where they might find support, how and where to seek advice and how to approach support to maximise their student experience. Further support for students and their learning is provided by Information Services and Student Support and Careers Services.

13 : Entry Requirements
Details of entry requirements for the scheme can be found at http://courses.aber.ac.uk

14 : Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of teaching and learning
All taught study schemes are subject to annual monitoring and periodic review, which provide the University with assurance that schemes are meeting their aims, and also identify areas of good practice and disseminate this information in order to enhance the provision.

15 : Regulation of Assessment
Academic Regulations are published as Appendix 2 of the Academic Quality Handbook: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/aqro/handbook/app-2/.

15.1 : External Examiners
External Examiners fulfill an essential part of the University’s Quality Assurance. Annual reports by External Examiners are considered by Faculties and Academic Board at university level.

16 : Indicators of quality and standards
The Department Quality Audit questionnaire serves as a checklist about the current requirements of the University’s Academic Quality Handbook. The periodic Department Reviews provide an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of quality assurance processes and for the University to assure itself that management of quality and standards which are the responsibility of the University as a whole are being delivered successfully.