Programme specification: Cancer Biology and Immunology with Study in Industry (BSc) in 2016/17

Programme code	7PANM013U
Programme type	Single Honours
Programme director(s)	Keith Brown
Faculty	Faculty of Life Sciences
School/department	School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Teaching institution	University of Bristol
Awarding institution	University of Bristol
Relevant QAA subject benchmark groups	Biomedical science (2023) (benchmark statement)
Mode of study	Full Time
Programme length	4 years (full time)

Students follow year 1 & 2 of the BSc Cancer Biology and Immunology programme.

The aim of these programmes is to produce graduates of high calibre who will know their subject in depth and have well-developed critical skills, and who will be well placed to meet the recruitment needs of employers. They will have selected four level H topics with at least three in pathology. It is further intended that graduates will have a range of transferable skills appropriate to the changing needs of the employment market in the future. Students will learn how to assimilate knowledge, to manage their time effectively, and to communicate scientific material in both oral and written modes by presentation of a dissertation, oral reports, and essay-type examination answers. They will learn good scientific method and laboratory skills, and how to analyse and interpret scientific data correctly: this will be achieved principally through their project work that is laboratory or literature based.

Students taking the programme with Study in Industry will be exposed, during the third year, to the industrial environment and to advanced technology, enabling both them and their potential future employers to assess their suitability for an industrial career. They will have had experience of and will have learned how to operate in the industrial workplace, and they will present a written account that demonstrates their ability to work and to communicate in an industrial environment.

Knowledge and Understanding

Programme Intended Learning Outcomes	Learning and Teaching Methods
Microbes including viruses, bacteria, fungi and protists. How microbes impact on society and the ways they can be controlled. Microbes that cause disease and how they do it. The structures of cells and tissues and how they interact to form complex multicellular organisms. Developmental biology. Cellular control processes. Gross pathology and histopathology. Cellular and molecular pathology. Genetics of human disease. Cancer biology. Stem cell biology. The structure and function of the immune system The principles of infection and immunity. Biochemistry including the structure and function of proteins and other macromolecules. Metabolism and its regulation. Molecular biology. Modern experimental techniques in microbiology, cell biology, histopathology, immunology, biochemistry and molecular biology. A choice of advanced aspects of specialised topics in microbiology, virology, cancer biology, immunology or stem cell biology.	Students follow year 1 & 2 of the BSc Cancer Biology and Immunology programme. Plenary lectures are the principal mode of imparting information. These are complemented by laboratory classes in which students learn experimental skills and how to handle materials safely. In Years 1 and 2 most laboratory classes are didactic: students gain experience of techniques of relevance to the advanced work in their third year. In Year 3 (Year 4 of programmes with study in industry) students undertake a research project on which they write a dissertation. Students also learn through tutorials, small group student-centred teaching allowing ready interaction between the teacher and the individual student. Students are encouraged to undertake independent reading throughout, mainly basic texts in the early stages and research papers later on. The Year in Industry provides for intensive learning in the industrial environment under the guidance of both an industrial and an academic (department-based) supervisor; such students undertake a project on which they write a dissertation.
	Methods of Assessment
	Students are formatively assessed by tests within individual units, marked work in laboratory classes, and the preparation of handouts, essays and problem-solving exercises in tutorials. They are assessed summatively by end of unit assessments and conventional end-of-year examinations. The final year research project and the Year in Industry dissertations are both assessed by two examiners.

Intellectual Skills and Attributes

Programme Intended Learning Outcomes	Learning and Teaching Methods
reason; analyse and interpret data; identify and solve problems; assemble concepts using information from more than one source; exercise independence of mind; form and defend scientific judgements.	Intellectual skills are developed through the teaching and learning programme outlined above. 1 is acquired principally through discussion in tutorials and interaction with teachers in these and in laboratory classes; 2 & 3 in laboratory classes; 4 in essay writing; 5 & 6 particularly in level H project work and in spoken presentations. These are centred at level H on cancer biology and immunology although in the earlier years we offer a more broadly-based curriculum.
	Methods of Assessment
	All our assessment methods seek to test the acquisition of these skills wherever possible. End-of-year examinations address 1 in particular; 2 & 3 are addressed in laboratory class assessments and a dedicated paper in level H is specifically concerned with 2. A mature display of skills 4, 5 and 6 is important for the award of class 1 and 2.1 Honours.

Other Skills and Attributes

Programme Intended Learning Outcomes	Learning and Teaching Methods
communicate in writing; communicate orally; be self-reliant and organise their time effectively; take appropriate decisions when needed; work as a group member and assess the importance of the ideas of others; use support services such as the library effectively; display an appropriate level of numeracy; display an appropriate level of IT skill; plan, execute and interpret the results of experimental work; manage a research project (students in the Study in Industry programme should be able to demonstrate this in an industrial as well as a university setting).	Some of these skills are acquired as a result of critical appraisal by staff and learning/teaching strategies are hence closely tied to assessment (below). More specifically, there is essay-writing guidance (1) and students have to organise themselves and their time in laboratory work and in meeting deadlines (3,4,5); oral presentations increase confidence in 2. Laboratory work and tutorial guidance instils 7 and university services supply 6 & 8. 9 & 10 are central to project work for students on industrial placement and, for all students, at level H.
	Methods of Assessment
	Assessed essays, end-of-year examinations, laboratory records and project write-ups (1); practice in essay writing is given from Year 1 and develops in the later years, with the additional constraint of time in 3-hour examinations. Final examinations interviews and oral presentations test (2); essays, laboratory records and projects test (3,4,5,6,7) – most laboratory work calls for collaboration with one or more fellow-students and, in the later years, with technical staff. Level H projects and industrial placements crucially test (9,10). Essays can involve experience of word processing, IT data retrieval and image scanning (8).

Intellectual Development

Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.

Level C/4 - Certificate	Students follow year 1 & 2 of the BSc Cancer Biology and Immunology programme. By the end of their studies at level C, students are expected to be able to use information acquired from textbooks and in lectures, practical classes and tutorials to demonstrate a sound knowledge of the fundamental principles of some of the core aspects of Pathology, Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and a level of competence in the relevant skills. It is expected that students should be able to relate this basic knowledge to a more detailed or advanced understanding of the subject later in the programme.
Level I/5 - Intermediate	Students follow year 1 & 2 of the BSc Cancer Biology and Immunology programme. At level I students are expected to be able to demonstrate that they have expanded the range and depth of their knowledge of Pathology, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics in selected areas. They should also have developed a higher and broader level of competence in the relevant skills and practical techniques. They are expected to be developing a capacity for self-directed learning. They should have reached a comparable level of competence in their other (usually biochemical) optional units.
Level H/6 - Honours	At level H students are expected to expand the breadth and depth of their knowledge of Cancer Biology and Immunology through their study of four specialist Topics and through their practical or literary research projects. At this level students are expected to be able to demonstrate their capacity for self-directed study using the skills acquired and developed at levels C and I, applying knowledge gained through formal teaching to new and as yet unexplored systems. They should also be able to keep abreast of new and forthcoming developments in Cancer Biology and Immunology and in related areas of biomedical science.

Intended Learning Outcome Mapping

BSc Cancer Biology and Immunology with study in industry ILO mapping 2015.docx

The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.

Admissions Information

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.

Faculty Workload Statement

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.

https://www.bris.ac.uk/biomedical-sciences/currentstudents/undergraduates1/assessment-feedback-statement-2015.pdf

Additional Information

The year on industrial placements takes place in Year 3. During this year the student is a full-time employee of the ls: an A2 in Chemistry is required in all cases. Studenindustrial organisation and participates in an approved project, under an industrial supervisor. The placement year is assessed on a written report by the student, the industrial supervisor's comments and an oral examination normally by the industrial supervisor and a Departmental examiner.

The Department welcomes students on the Study Abroad programme and takes a small number each year into Level C and I Units.

There are comparable requirements for those with other backgrounds such as Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers, Welsh Baccalaureate, European Baccalaureate, International Baccalaureate or BTEC National Diploma.

The Department welcomes applications for deferred entry, from mature candidates, and candidates from non-traditional backgrounds. We participate actively in the University's Widening Participation programme within the overall policy of Equal Opportunities.

Source For Further Information

Dr. Ann M. Pullen (phone 0117 9287511; email A.M.Pullen@bristol.ac.uk)

Year 3 (2016/17 entry cohort)

Students may transfer to this programme on successful completion of years 1 and 2 of the BSc Cancer Biology and Immunology.

Unit Name	Unit Code	Credit Points	Status
Cellular and Molecular Medicine Industrial Placement	PANM20004	120	Mandatory	AYEAR
		120

Year 4 (2016/17 entry cohort)

Unit Name	Unit Code	Credit Points	Status
Research Skills	PANM33011	40	Mandatory	TB-4
Students must choose a minimum of 60 credit points, and a maximum of 80, from the following::
Developmental Genetics and Embryonal Cancers	PANM33003	20	Optional	TB-4
Cancer Mechanisms and Therapeutics	PANM33004	20	Optional	TB-4
Advanced Immunology	PANM33001	20	Optional	TB-4
Immunopathology and Applied Immunology	PANM33002	20	Optional	TB-4
Students who have chosen only 60 credit points from the list above should also choose 20 credit points from the following:
Medical Microbiology	PANM33008	20	Optional	TB-4
Medical Virology	PANM33009	20	Optional	TB-4
Regenerative Medicine	PANM33005	20	Optional	TB-4
Haemopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation	PANM33006	20	Optional	TB-4
Frontiers in Infectious Diseases	PANM30001	20	Optional	TB-4
Cancer Biology and Immunology with Study in Industry (BSc)		120

Progression/award requirements

Unit Pass Mark for Undergraduate Programmes:

• 40 out of 100 – for level C/4, I/5 & H/6 units
• 50 out of 100 – for level M/7 units

For details on the weightings for classifying undergraduate degrees, please see the Agreed Weightings, by Faculty, to be applied for the Purposes of Calculating the Final Programme Mark and Degree Classification in Undergraduate Programmes.

For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.

Please refer to the specific progression/award requirements for programmes with a preliminary year of study, the Gateway programmes and International Foundation programmes.

Exit awards

All undergraduate degree programmes allow the opportunity for a student to exit from a programme with a Diploma or Certificate of Higher Education.

• To be awarded a Diploma of Higher Education, a student must have successfully completed 240 credit points, of which at least 90 must be at level 5.
• To be awarded a Certificate of Higher Education, a student must have successfully completed 120 credit points at level 4.

Integrated Master's degrees may also allow the opportunity for a student to exit from the programme with an equivalent Bachelor's degree where a student has achieved 360 credit points, of which 90 must be at level 6, and has successfully met any additional criteria as described in the programme specification.

The opportunities for a student to exit from one of the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry with an Award is outlined in the relevant Programme Regulations (which are available as an annex in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes).

Degree classifications:

• First Class Honours 70 and above
• Second Class Honours, First Division 60-69
• Second Class Honours, Second Division 50-59
• Third Class Honours 40-49
• Fail 39 and below

An Ordinary degree can be awarded if a student has successfully completed at least 300 credits with a minimum of 60 credits at Level 6.

The pass mark for the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine and Dentistry is 50 out of 100. The classification of a degree in the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry is provided in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.