University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2017/18 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Life Sciences > School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience > Physiological Science (MSci) > Specification
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Programme code | 7PHPH005U |
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Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
Lauren Goodhead
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Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
School/department | School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Relevant QAA subject benchmark groups | Biosciences (2023) (benchmark statement) |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 4 years (full time) |
To develop an understanding of, and to foster interest in, normal body function from the level of molecules to that of the whole body, with particular emphasis on mammalian physiology.
Students will develop :
1.an understanding of the way in which the principal body systems function, with the opportunity of specialising in selected topics
2.skills in the acquisition, interpretation and analysis of scientific data in the environment of an active research department
3.competence in a range of key skills applicable throughout their future careers, including written and verbal communication, digital literacy, problem solving and collaborative working.
4.skills that prepare them for: a career in academic or commercial research, in teaching, or in business; further professional training or study in related (e.g.clinical/paraclinical) or other fields
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Level 4/C: lectures, practical classes working in groups of 2 – 3, small group tutorials, some computer-based and/or web-based resources Level 5/I: lectures, practicals working in groups of ~2 – 3, with more emphasis on self-directed reading & web searches, and with more opportunity for practical work to be student-led than at level C Level 6/H: lectures, seminars, an original research project. Independent learning is fostered by the research project and by written coursework that is largely self-directed. Level 7/M – lectures, facilitated small group discussion, self-directed literature research, extended experimental research project supervision Independent learning is achieved through written coursework, directed self-education and library and experimental research projects. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Level 4/C: predominantly unseen examinations (MCQs, data interpretation, extended matching). Coursework essays. Level 5/I: unseen examinations (essays, MCQs, data interpretation questions); coursework online quizzes, practical write-ups, poster presentation, library projects. Level 6/H: unseen examinations (essays, MCQs, data interpretation and experimental design questions); Written research dissertation and oral presentation. Level 7/M – coursework, including a project plan, an extended research project dissertation. Peer marking is used at selected points throughout the programme. Formative assessment is also used throughout the programme, particularly in tutorial work, to provide students with feedback on their progress. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Level 4/C: Lectures, practical classes and small group tutorials. Level 5/I: Lectures, class tutorials, practicals, library-and practical-based self-directed learning projects. Level 6/H: Lectures, seminars, self-directed literature research, online tutorials and research project supervision. Level 7/M - lectures, facilitated small group discussion, self-directed literature research, extended experimental research project supervision. Practical work progresses from closely supervised practical classes in the first year to an extended experimental project in the final year. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Level 4/C: Unseen examinations, including MCQs, data interpretation questions, Coursework essay, practical reports and eBiolabs. Level 5/I: Unseen examinations including MCQs, essays, data interpretation, abstracting; coursework including online quizzes library projects, practical reports. Level 6/H: Unseen examinations including MCQs, essays, data interpretation and experimental design, review of a scientific paper and public engagement abstract; coursework including research project dissertation, oral presentation. Level 7/M – coursework, including a project plan, an extended research project dissertation, ideas development portfolios. There is a progressive emphasis on assessment methods that test the ability to critically evaluate source materials and to interpret and analyse data, rather than simply recall factual details. The emphasis on oral presentations and laboratory performance increases throughout the programme. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Level 4/C: Lectures, small group tutorials, practicals, seminars, personal tutorials. Level 5/I: lectures, online tutorials, workshops, practical classes. Level 6/H – Lectures, seminars, online tutorials, research project supervision. Level 7/M – lectures, seminars, individual supervision of research project, facilitated small group discussion. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Level 4/C – Coursework such as essays and abstracts, practical assessments online (eBiolabs), written practical report, Level 6/H - unseen examinations, including essays and data handling/interpretation, experimental design and MCQs, paper review and public engagement abstract; coursework including essays and data handling/interpretation, experimental design, research project dissertation, oral presentation Level 7/M – coursework, including a project plan, an extended research project dissertation, portfolios, oral and poster presentation, peer assessment of contribution to group work. Formative feedback is used throughout the programme. There is a development of assessment of small pieces of work in early years through to extensive project dissertations and portfolios showing the development of ideas in final year. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
By the end of their first year, students should be able to use information acquired from textbooks and in lectures, practical classes and tutorials to demonstrate a basic understanding of physiological processes. They should be able to carry out closely supervised practical work, using relevant IT and keyboard skills, and to interpret and manipulate some scientific data. They will have learned to work more independently than in school. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
By the end of their second year, students should have begun to develop the ability to synthesise information acquired from original research papers and web-based resources, although the main emphasis is still on formal teaching and textbooks. They should have deepened their knowledge base in physiology, in areas such as the central nervous system, cell biology, and integrated physiology. They should be able to extend worksheet-driven practical work into projects that include some student-led experiments. They should have broadened their IT skills and be able to interpret more complex scientific data. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
In the third year, critical faculties are developed further as source materials consist almost exclusively of research papers, and topics are studied at the current boundaries of knowledge. Students are expected to be able to direct their own study, with some guidance from lecturers, so as to demonstrate in-depth knowledge and critical evaluation of their chosen specialised topics in physiological science. They are expected to have developed the skills necessary to carry out an original project, to contribute to its planning, and to present their conclusions in the form of a research report. They should also be aware of some of the more general techniques and concepts that underpin modern research in the medical sciences. They must also be able to statistically analyse and interpret scientific data and apply their understanding to interpret unfamiliar data. Students are expected to confidently and effectively communicate ideas via oral presentations and written reports. |
Level M/7 - Masters |
Students are expected to be able to direct their own work, coming to independent decisions based on their own judgement. They are expected to be able to plan and design original experiments, including appropriate statistical analysis. They need to be able to critically appraise the quality of their own work and that of others. They need to be able to work collaboratively and creatively on long-term projects, setting their own goals and monitoring their own progress. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the undergraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
Workload Statement
Success as an undergraduate student depends on you being able to make the transition to self-motivated, independent learning. The programmes offered in the Faculty are designed to assist you in this development, in many cases by starting with units in which timetabled teaching, such as lectures and practical classes, provides the foundations of knowledge and skills in a subject, moving on to individual research based work. Over time you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your own learning, guided by the feedback on your work that you will receive from staff. But at the heart of your studies at every level there must be regular and disciplined individual reading, reflection and writing, whether in the library or at home. It is this skill of independent studies, above all others, that will serve you best when you leave the University.
Student workloads in the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences are calculated on the assumption that you will work at least an average of 40 hours per week over the academic year. This workload includes all types of activity related to the delivery and assessment of taught units.
A major component of this workload in the early years of your programme is the time that you spend in class, in contact with the teaching staff, which includes lectures, laboratories, tutorials and practical classes. Outside classes you will need to undertake two types of academic activity. One type is that directed by your unit (such as eBiolabs pre- and post-lab quizzes, practical class reports and project work). The other type requires you to pursue self-motivated independent learning in order to build your knowledge and understanding of the subjects you are studying. Such independent activities include reviewing lecture material, reading textbooks and the scientific literature, and revising for examinations. In later years of your programme, timetabled teaching will make up a smaller proportion of your overall workload and you will spend much of your time pursuing independent study.
Wednesday afternoons are set aside for students to engage in extracurricular activities, such as sporting activities. Note also that formal teaching is undertaken on Wednesday mornings, which in some programmes may preclude absences for travelling to sporting events.
You will be expected to work during most University vacations. All students are expected to use the Christmas and Easter holidays to revise for the examinations held in January and May/June, respectively. Should you be unsuccessful in the examinations, you should expect to set aside sufficient time over the summer vacation firstly to consolidate your understanding and then to revise intensively for the resit examinations held in August/September (resit examinations are not available in the final year of BSc programmes). Certain components of the teaching and assessment are mandatory - for details see individual programme regulations.
The biomedical sciences BSc programmes conform to the University modular framework where 10 credits represent about 100 hours of student work. We recognise that many students have to take paid employment to fund their studies. In order to achieve a sensible balance between work and study, you are advised to undertake paid work for no more than 15 hours per week in term-time.
Assessment Statement
Please select the following link for a statement about assessment. This is University of Bristol access only.
There is also an alternative 4-year programme in which the pre-final year (Year 3) is spent in Industry.
Dr Lauren Goodhead
Programme Director – Physiological Science
School of Physiology and Pharmacology
Medical Sciences Building
University Walk
Bristol
BS8 1TD
lauren.goodhead@bristol.ac.uk
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
University of Bristol,
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