BiochemistryBSc (Hons)

Anatomy & Physiology 1

This module introduces students to the theoretical and practical aspects of human anatomy and physiology in health and disease. It is designed for life-science students with an interest in human biology, but particularly for those wishing to pursue advanced studies in the Biosciences or Forensic Science.
This module aims to provide students, through lectures, tutorials and practical classes, with a sound knowledge of human body structure using appropriate anatomical nomenclature and an in-depth understanding of the physiology of selected body systems. The module will also aim to introduce basic concepts in immunology and pathology.

Anatomy & Physiology 2

This module introduces students to the theoretical and practical aspects of human anatomy and physiology in health and disease. It is designed for life-science students with an interest in human biology, but particularly for those wishing to pursue advanced studies in the Biosciences.
This module aims to provide students, through lectures, tutorials and practical classes, with a sound knowledge of human body structure using appropriate anatomical nomenclature and an in-depth understanding of the physiology of selected body systems. The module will also aim to introduce basic concepts in immunology and pathology.

Biochemistry

The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s, Framework for Higher Education Qualifications. This module is concerned with biochemistry focusing on the properties of key biochemical molecules and their role in biochemical function. This module aims to provide students with the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of some personal responsibility.

Cell Biology

A core module which provides students with an understanding of basic cell structures and an awareness of different cell types and relates the structure and activities of cell components to their functions and to cellular activities as a whole.
The second half of the module is concerned with biochemistry focusing on the properties of key biochemical molecules and their role in biochemical function.
The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s Framework for Higher Education Qualifications. Specifically it aims to expose students to some of the key questions of cell biology concerning cell structure and intracellular activities. Provide students with practical experience in a range of laboratory-based biological techniques. Enhance students' ability to manage themselves and to develop organisational, critical and analytical skills which are applicable to the workplace.

Fundamentals of Molecular Biology

The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s, Framework for Higher Education Qualification. This module aims to provide an overview of the organisation, expression, and replication of genetic information in prokaryotes and eukaryotes together with principles of Mendelian inheritance; examine the consequences of mutation on gene expression together with an introduction to techniques of gene analysis and manipulation. This module aims to provide students with the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of some personal responsibility.

General Microbiology

This module focuses on the structure and classification of a selected range of microorganisms and their impact on human society. Laboratory classes develop the skills required to work safely and cooperatively in the laboratory.
This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to:
study the classification, structure and function of bacteria, fungi, protoctista and viruses;
understand the diverse nature of microorganisms, their roles in the environment and their impact on human society as normal flora and as agents of disease;
the exploitation of microorganisms by humans in medicine and biotechnology.

Laboratory Skills and Techniques

This module aims to provide students with a solid basis in aspects of chemistry appropriate to underpin their undergraduate biosciences course. Its aims are aligned with the qualification and descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s Framework for Higher Education Qualification. The module provides an introduction to core aspects of chemistry – atoms, periodic table, molecules, bonding and functional groups, organic molecular structure and the naming and drawing chemical structures, concept of moles and reaction processes.

This module will also introduce students to safe contemporary and good laboratory practice in the laboratory environment, practical bioscience techniques, simple chemical techniques and the discipline of accurate laboratory record keeping. The module also aims to develop basic laboratory practice: personal safety (as expedited by COSHH and Risk Assessments), awareness of others and where appropriate to consider ethical issues that can have an impact on the execution of a given experiment. The development of study skills will include writing laboratory records, scientific reports and essays. The analysis of data will also be a core component of the module. It develops competence in laboratory skills through practical work, and in scientific writing.

Professional Studies

This module will develop students’ transferable skills to enable them to derive maximum benefit from their chosen courses of study, provide clear guidance on the University’s teaching, assessment and progression regulations to facilitate students’ smooth passage through their chosen courses of study.

The module will introduce students to the learning resources and support facilities available within the University to assist them with their personal and professional development. Specifically this module will also introduce students to safe contemporary (GLP) practice in the laboratory environment, practical bioscience techniques, simple chemical techniques and the discipline of accurate laboratory record keeping. The module also aims to develop basic lab practice: personal safety (as expedited by COSHH and Risk Assessments), awareness of others and where appropriate to consider ethical issues that can have an impact on the execution of a given experiment. The development of study skills will include writing laboratory records, scientific reports and essays. The analysis of data will also be a core component of the module.

The module aims to introduce students to the development, scope and organisation of their chosen discipline and its associated professional bodies and employment opportunities. The transferable skills that will be developed will also prepare students for employment.

Fundamentals of Medicinal Chemistry

The module provides experience, knowledge and understanding of the principles and practices of medicinal chemistry. Explores the rational for biochemical principles that are fundamental to the study of medicine and related healthcare areas. The module will cover general and applied biochemistry, focusing on the structure and function of important drug targets such as receptors, enzymes, and nucleic acids. Material will review biochemistry knowledge and expand in preparation for areas such as the general principles and strategies involved in discovering and designing new drugs.

Human Immunity

This module provides an introduction to physiological, cellular and molecular fundamentals of human immunology. It includes consideration of innate and acquired immune defences, genetic variation and immune defence, and immune responses or involvement in a range of pathological conditions. The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s, Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.
The module integrates the knowledge and skills acquired from other modules and encourages independent learning through the access of information using appropriate laboratory, primary and secondary sources, and informatics resources. It develops competence in laboratory skills through practical work, and in scientific writing. It aims to develop students’ qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment including developing ability to solve problems and gather and interpret data to inform a focussed theme and writing reports. Moreover, students have an opportunity to develop self-management employability skills by engaging fully with the learning material and opportunities made available to them, and by continually reflecting on their progress through the module using the regular feedback opportunities available to them.

Metabolism

This module focuses on understanding key principles of metabolism. These principles are illustrated through study of the major metabolic pathways. How metabolism interacts with the nutritional environment is discussed throughout the module.
The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s Framework for Higher Education Qualifications This module aims to provide an understanding of the principles of metabolism encourage an appreciation of the diversity and interconnection of metabolic pathways, and to stimulate an understanding of the applicability of metabolism in a broad range of biological context. This module will also provide students with the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of some personal responsibility and decision making

Methods of Bioanalytical Analysis

This module will overview the bioanalytical analytical analysis methods commonly encountered within biomedical science supporting quantitative and qualitative analyse of biological and pharmacological agents and their metabolites. Modern instrumental methods will be reviewed and practical experience given.
The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s, Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.
The module aims to introduce students to a range of techniques for determining the presence of an element or compound in a specified sample and the concentration at which it occurs and to describe the theoretical background and instrumental requirements for these techniques. Through extensive practical work and structured examples, it will give students experience of quality control, quality assurance, handling analytical results and assist students to develop practical skills in selected techniques and develop a feel for sample preparation, instrument calibration and other practical aspects of analysis.

Microbiology

This module investigates the key metabolic pathways in eukaryotes and prokaryotes and investigates how these pathways, in different organisms, satisfy energy requirements for growth and reproduction using the nutrients in their surroundings. This module also examines the intrinsic and extrinsic factors which regulate microbial growth and development.
The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the QAA’s the Quality Assurance Agency’s, Framework for Higher Education Qualifications. It provides students with the opportunity to study the nutritional requirements for microbial growth and the intrinsic and extrinsic factors which regulate microbial growth and development. This module aims to provide students with the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and decision-making. Students will be encouraged to engage meaningfully through the curriculum, to enable them to reflect on, plan and review their own personal and academic skills. This will enable students to develop well supported claims to their achievements and be able to articulate these to others. The University will facilitate students in the recognition and recording of their achievements.

Molecular Biology

This module will enable students to extend their understanding of the principles of molecular biology in eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms, with emphasis on understanding mechanisms of gene expression, genome structure, variation and replication, and genetic inheritance and genetic causes of disease. The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s, Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.

The module integrates the knowledge and skills acquired from other modules and encourages independent learning through the access of information using appropriate laboratory, primary and secondary sources, and informatics resources. It develops competence in laboratory skills through practical work, and in scientific writing. It aims to develop students’ qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment including developing ability to solve problems and gather and interpret data to inform a focussed theme and writing reports. Moreover students have an opportunity to develop self-management employability skills by engaging fully with the learning material and opportunities made available to them, and by continually reflecting on their progress through the module using the regular feedback opportunities available to them.

Infection Control

This module fosters an understanding of the principles of infection control in the management of infectious disease. It uses paradigms of sources and transmission routes of infection to apply theory to practice. This module uses the identification methods to underpin principles of investigating infection control
The aim of this module is to enhance the understanding of infection and routes of infection. The module will help students appreciate the concepts of pathogens, contaminants, the host and their inter-relatedness in the chain of infection. Raising students awareness of methods used to control and prevent infections will be explored.
This module aims to provide students with the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring: the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility; decision making in complex and unpredictable contexts; and, the learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature.

Parasitology

The module addresses the major parasites of medical importance. It emphasises those aspects of parasite life-cycles that contribute to disease and pathology, the anti-parasite immune responses they engender, how parasites evade these responses, and alternative control measures.
The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s, Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
The aims of this module are to review a range of medically important parasites, investigating the variety of parasite life-cycles as these contribute to disease and pathology. The module aims to advance students’ abilities in parasite recognition and diagnosis and develop students’ understanding of immunological control, evasion of that control, the development of anti-parasite vaccines and alternative methods of control.
This module aims to provide students with the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring: the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility; decision making in complex and unpredictable contexts; and, the learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature.

Work Placement (for Life Sciences)

Description: This module focuses on extending students' learning experience by providing them with an opportunity to tackle real-life problems, appropriate to their academic level, by undertaking a short period of professional activity in the workplace. The placement needs to be approved prior to being undertaken, by the work placement coordinator. It is expected that the student should work for 140 hours, for which they will be required to provide evidence (completed in the summer or part-time over the Autumn or Spring semester). The suitability of the opportunities will be assessed on an individual basis. Where required, students will be supported in finding suitable opportunities and with all aspects of their job search and applications. However, it is the students’ responsibility to obtain suitable employment, and roles cannot be guaranteed. DBS checks and or Hep B vaccination may be required for some placements (NHS or School-based).
This module aims to provide the student with an opportunity to: Increase their personal and professional development and gain experience of the culture and structure of a working environment; evaluate, and critically reflect on, the workplace as well as the student's role and contribution to it; and to apply previously-learnt academic knowledge to the task in hand. Explore employment options and consider future career plans. It will also ensure that suitable health and safety requirements are in place and the work activity will be approved by the module team in advance.

Biochemical Pathology

This module will enable students to extend their understanding of disease. Students will learn how these pathological processes can be modulated in the treatment of disease and poisonings.
The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s, Framework for Higher Education Qualifications. This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to understand the principles and practices of biochemical pathology . This will be by expanding a student's knowledge and understanding of human biotransformations (metabolism) particularly as they influence the nature of disease(pathology) and toxic states (toxicology). Students will engage with problems in and pathology and study a range of topics including metabolic pathology. They will be given the opportunity to study the aetiology and treatment of disease.

Clinical Biochemistry

The module covers the advanced aspects of the role of Clinical Biochemistry, as practiced in a pathology department. More in-depth focus on disease screening, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring in clinical biochemistry, the principles and application of common methods used in the clinical setting and point of care testing, therapeutic drug monitoring and the investigation of substances of abuse. Quality control and quality assurance, sample quality and regulatory issues within clinical biochemistry.
Students’ clinical biochemistry skills will be developed in the laboratory in practical sessions. Theoretical and practical problems will be employed to assist students in the development of their analytical and problem-solving capabilities. Case studies will be examined to give students practice in diagnosis.

Genomics

This module provides information and guidance to facilitate an understanding and knowledge of the theory and practical applications of molecular biology, genetics and genomics. It explains the underlying mechanisms of molecular biology and enables these ideas to be expanded to the understanding of human health and disease.

To provide, thorough in depth study, knowledge and understanding of the theory and practical applications of the underling molecular biology of modern genetics and genomics. This module will investigate both historical and modern approaches to genomics. It will reinforce analytical, evaluative and communication skills. The module will also enable students to research a topical issue in depth and present it and reflect on the topics studied and their application in biomedical practice.

Project

This module will enable students to demonstrate the skills necessary to carry out a scientific programme requiring significant research. It will allow students to demonstrate the final development of their subject knowledge, skills and understanding through extended research based on laboratory, literature/meta-analysis of databases or bioinformatics research. This research will lead to the presentation of a detailed written report.
The research project and laboratory skills sessions will enable students to carry out at least 24 hrs on directed competency skills-based activities and an equal amount of time on independent work-related learning activities on various themes approved in conjuction with the School Employer Liasion Board. In addition students will spend 230 hours on project-related activities

This module aims to encourage the student to reflect and build upon their subject knowledge and expertise by means of a specific investigation requiring significant research; develop the skills necessary to plan, carry out, analyse and report upon the results of an experimental or analytical programme on a scientific topic; allow the student to demonstrate that s/he has achieved a high level of personal development through working independently with the minimum necessary supervision; allow the student to demonstrate their understanding and application of safe and considerate working practices, particularly within the laboratory.
In addition the module will also encourage students to develop professional work-related learning skills through the competencies skills sessions which have been developed to map to and are responsive to employers requirements.

Systems Pathology

This module characterises the aetiology, pathophysiology, clinical investigation and treatment of selected systems diseases that make a significant contribution to morbidity and mortality within healthcare. Aspects covered begin with an overview of pathology, followed by a systems approach to disease, including cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, endocrine, immune disorders, obesity, diabetes, inborn errors of metabolism, nutritional deficiencies, and cancer
The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s, Framework for Higher Education Qualifications. More specifically the module aims to provide an opportunity for in-depth study of selected body systems with reference to the pathogenesis of disease, its diagnosis and therapeutic options. The module will also highlight the pivotal role of pathology in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of disease. In addition students will be shown how body structure and function continues to change throughout the lifespan with reference to the increasing incidence and pathophysiology of selected “age-related” systems diseases. Students’ ability to research and evaluate biomedical issues and present their findings in a cogent manner will be developed.
This module aims to provide students with the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring: the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility; decision making in complex and unpredictable contexts; and, the learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature.

Toxicology

This module will enable students to extend their understanding of disease and toxicity. They will study the influences of endogenous and foreign compound metabolism on pathology. Students will learn how these pathological processes can be modulated in the treatment of disease and poisonings.

The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s, Framework for Higher Education Qualifications. This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to understand the principles and practices of biochemical pathology . This will be by expanding a student's knowledge and understanding of human biotransformations (metabolism) particularly as they influence the nature of disease(pathology) and toxic states (toxicology). Students will engage with problems in toxicology and pathology and study a range of topics including forensic, regulatory and environmental toxicology and metabolic pathology. They will be provided with an understanding of the key role of foreign compound (xenobiotic) metabolism in biochemical toxicology and given the opportunity to study the aetiology and treatment of disease and poisonings.

Applied Immunology

The module focuses on the development and operation of the immune system in both health and disease and explores current research in immunopathology, stem cells and immunotherapy. The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s, Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.
Understand the mechanisms of the mammalian immune system in defence against disease; using an understanding of the basic mechanisms of the immune system, understand the consequences of inappropriate responses of the immune system; examine the applications of immune products in the areas of diagnostics and immunotherapy.

Energy Metabolism & Endocrinology

This module aims to integrate the biochemical and physiological aspects of energy balance and how energy homeostasis may be regulated with reference to clinical metabolic disorders and obesity. This module will also provide students with the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of some personal responsibility; decision making in complex and unpredictable contexts; and the learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature

Virology

This module will focus on the structure, genome and replication strategy of viruses, their role in disease, epidemiological factors that facilitate transmission and their control with antiviral drugs and vaccines.
This module aims to provide students the opportunity to study the genome classification, structure, function, and replication strategy of viruses using specific examples where appropriate. Students will explore virus-host interactions and will need to appreciate some of the epidemiological factors facilitating transmission and strategies for disease control. These control measures will include some consideration of human behaviour and animal husbandry, vaccination/immunisation and the use of antiviral drugs. Finally the applications of recombinant viruses in medicine and biotechnology will be introduced.