Programme Specifications

N/A

Biosciences

September 2023

To provide students with subject specific knowledge required for research careers in the field of biochemistry.

Subject specific skills

To provide students with subject specific skills required for research careers in the field of biochemistry.

Generic and graduate skills

To provide students with the generic and graduate skills expected of any degree programme.

The MBiol schemes have specific learning outcomes for years 1-3 and basic subject knowledge remains unchanged. However, students will be able to demonstrate additional outcomes as a result of undertaking the M year. These additional outcomes provide an enhanced student experience and allow students to develop their knowledge of their subject areas in an extended research context better preparing them for postgraduate study but also giving them an edge in terms of employability. Specifically, the proposed degree aims to advantage students in the following additional ways:

• To apply approaches, concepts, skills, methods and/or theories in an extended research context.


• To develop independent research skills, advanced data handling and a higher-level qualification giving them a competitive edge in the graduate job market or in applying for postgraduate research positions. 


• To enable students to develop an understanding of global challenges relevant to biology and understand their research and study in the context of this.

Subject Specific Skills (Masters Level Year)

The Subject specific skills of the schemes will not change. Nevertheless, on the completion of their degree, students on these four year versions of the schemes will have gained a valuable insight in to how these skills can be applied in a research context as well as how the skills can be used to address global challenges in biology

Generic and Graduate Skills (Masters Level Year)

The generic and graduate skills of the schemes will not change. However, the four year integrated masters version of the schemes will additionally develop the skills listed below, though the nature and emphasis will depend on the exact research project:

• 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

Overall aim of the scheme

To enable graduating students to practice as professional biochemists.

Overall aim of the scheme

The overall aims of the schemes will not change relative to the three year versions. Additionally, the aim of the four year versions of the schemes will aim to develop graduate level skills, as described in the Generic and Graduate level skills section above.

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

• A1 The theory and practical application of scientific research.

• A2 The planning and conducting of scientific research.

• A3 The techniques required for data sampling, analysis and interpretation.

• A4 The requirements of successful communication of research to scientific and lay audiences.

• A5 A broad knowledge of the underlying principles of biochemistry.
  
  

Learning and Teaching

Taught through lectures, practical classes, research projects, workshops and tutorials, with staff-directed and self-directed study

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Subject knowledge will be assessed through exams, tests and coursework, using a variety of media

Demonstrate a range of transferable skills including initiative, independence and the ability to see their work in the context of global challenges.

Learning and Teaching (Masters Level Year)

During the M year students will develop their knowledge in the specific area of their research project. They will develop communication skills through working with their supervisor and other departmental staff / postgraduate students. They will additionally pursue taught modules to enhance their skills in research design, data analysis, research skills beyond their own project and placing their own contribution in the context of wider issues.

Assessment Strategies and Methods (Masters Level Year)

Students will be developed and assessed in the same way as the three year schemes for years 1-3. In year M smaller group size in the taught modules will enable team work and the use of individual presentations to assess students’ knowledge and understanding.

10.2.1 Intellectual Skills

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

• B1 Apply the skills needed for academic study and enquiry.

• B2 Evaluate research and a variety of types of information and evidence critically.

• B3 Critically analyse information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent comprehension of theory and practice, synthesising and summarising the outcomes.

• B4 Develop and apply strategies for appropriate selection of relevant information from a wide source and large body of knowledge.

• B5 Apply knowledge and comprehension to address familiar and novel problems.
  
  

Learning and Teaching

Taught through lectures, practical classes, research projects, workshops and tutorials, with staff-directed and self-directed study

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Intellectual skills will be assessed through exams, tests and coursework, using a variety of media

10.2.2 Professional practical skills (where applicable)

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

• C1 Design, apply and analyse various research/study techniques.

• C2 Plan, conduct, and report on investigations, including the use of secondary data.

• C3 Collect and record information or data in the library, laboratory or field, summarising it using appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative techniques.

• C4 Conceive, plan and undertake field and/or laboratory investigations in a responsible, ethical and safe manner, paying due attention to risk assessment, legislation concerning experimental animal use, relevant health and safety regulations, other legal requirements and sensitivity to the impact of investigations on the environment and stakeholders.

• C5 Communicate effectively with individuals and organisations in a range of scenarios.
  
  

Learning and Teaching

Taught through lectures, practical classes, research projects, workshops and tutorials, with staff-directed and self-directed study

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Practical skills will be assessed through tests and coursework, using a variety of media

10.2.1 Intellectual Skills (Masters Level Year)

• Demonstrate experience of working in a mixed research team

Learning and Teaching

Planning and logical development of research based on initial findings will be developed through the dissertation project.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Students will be developed and assessed in the same way as the three year schemes for years 1-3. In year M intellectual skills will be developed and assessed via the dissertation which is an extended piece of work in which students will be guided through the process of conducting research and writing it in a form relevant to publication.

10.2.2 Professional practical skills (where applicable) (Masters Level Year)

• Applying principles, methods, approaches, concepts, skills and/or theories appropriate to the relevant biological sciences scheme in a research context, as well as understanding the challenges of working with other

Learning and Teaching

These will be developed mainly through the dissertation project. Group work is also embedded in the taught modules.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Students will be developed and assessed in the same way as the three year schemes for years 1-3. In year M professional and practical skills are developed and assessed in the field and lab skills module as well as the dissertation.

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

• D1 Receiving and responding to a variety of sources of information: textual, numerical, verbal, graphical.

• D2 Communicating about their subject appropriately to a variety of audiences using a range of formats and approaches.

• D3 Preparing, processing, interpreting and presenting data, using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques, statistical programmes, spreadsheets and programs for presenting data visually.

• D4 Developing the skills necessary for self-managed and lifelong learning (e.g. working independently, time management and organisation skills).

• D5 Using the internet and other electronic sources critically as a means of communication and a source of information.
  
  

Learning and Teaching

Taught through lectures, practical classes, research projects, workshops and tutorials, with staff-directed and self-directed study

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Key skills will be assessed through exams, tests and coursework, using a variety of media

• Professionalism and an understanding of time management through independent planning

Learning and Teaching (Masters Level Year)

Developed through the research project.

Assessment Strategies and Methods (Masters Level Year)

Students will be developed and assessed in the same way as the three year schemes for years 1-3. In year M the dissertation will develop these further through guided, independent work