University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2017/18 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Life Sciences > School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine > Biomedical Sciences (BSc) > Specification
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Programme code | 7PANM026U |
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Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
Keith Brown
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Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
School/department | School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 3 years (full time) |
This programme aims to develop the student’s interest in and knowledge and understanding of areas of biology and biochemistry relating to human health and disease, and to produce well informed graduates who will know their subject in depth and have well-developed skills and attitudes appropriate to their future careers. Students will obtain:
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Plenary lectures are the principal mode of imparting information. Students also learn through workshops and tutorials, small group student-centred teaching allowing ready interaction between the teacher and the individual student. These are complemented by laboratory classes in which students learn experimental skills and how to handle materials safely. In Years 1 and 2 students gain experience of a wide variety of practical techniques across the breadth of the biomedical sciences. The practical classes are supported by web-based resources including the bespoke eBiolabs dynamic laboratory manual. In Year 3 students undertake a research project on which they write a dissertation. Students are encouraged to undertake independent reading throughout, mainly basic texts in the early stages and research papers and reviews later on. There are opportunities for students to work collaboratively in group work and as well as in the laboratory. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Assessment of the knowledge base is largely through unseen written examinations (which include multiple choice questions, essays, short note questions, numerical calculations, data analysis and literature comprehension). Course work assessments include pre- and post-lab quizzes in the eBiolabs dynamic laboratory manual, laboratory reports, oral presentations, poster presentations, essays, reports and a project dissertation. Prompt and useful feedback will support assessment for learning. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Intellectual skills are developed through the teaching and learning programme outlined above. 1 is acquired principally through lectures, discussion in tutorials and interaction with teachers in these and in laboratory classes; 2 and 3 in laboratory classes and project work, and in preparation for oral presentations; 4 in workshops, tutorials, practical and project work; 5 and 6 in lectures and discussions across the programme, including in the skills unit. |
Methods of Assessment | |
All assessment tasks (written exams including MCQs, essays, short note questions, numerical calculations, data analysis and literature comprehension) and project work test powers of analysis, synthesis and problem solving. Practical, bioinformatics and literary projects assess these skills in the context of independent study. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Guidance for 1 and 2 are provided in lectures, workshops and by library staff. Tutorial presentations and workshops are used to develop oral communication skills (2). 3-8 are developed across the programme including in laboratory and project work. Students plan their time in laboratory and project work, and to meet deadlines generally (9). 10 is developed in the skills unit at level 5/I and central to the research project for students level 6/H. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Assessments including written examinations, essays, practical reports and dissertations test 1 and 2. Oral presentation skills (2) are assessed in tutorials, the project talk and vivas. Course work assessments of practical work via eBiolabs post-lab quizzes and laboratory reports, as well as project work test 3-7. Laboratory work, projects and group work require collaboration (8) and the ability to manage a project (10), this is assessed by other students in the level 5/I skills unit and by supervisors for the research project. Time management is essential across the programme and is important for timed written examinations, including data handling and literature comprehension examinations (9). |
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 studies at level C/4, 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 biomedical sciences 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. The expectation is that students at this level may require substantial direction from members of staff. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
At level I/5 students are expected to be able to demonstrate that they have expanded the range and depth of their knowledge of biomedical sciences 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. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
At level H/6 students are expected to expand the breadth and depth of their knowledge of specific areas of biomedical sciences, 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/4 and I/5, applying knowledge gained through formal teaching to new and as yet unexplored systems. Students are expected to develop intellectual and reasoning skills necessary for a research project. They should also be able to keep abreast of new and forthcoming developments in biomedical science. |
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.
Initially there will not be a sister programme with Study in Industry.
It is envisaged that the admissions requirements for the programme will be AAA to include Chemistry and at least one other science (Biology or Physics) or Mathematics. The contextual offer will be AAB.
Dr Keith Brown, Programme Director, School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Keith.Brown@bristol.ac.uk
0117 33 12071
Dr Ann Pullen, Faculty Education Director, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences
a.m.pullen@bristol.ac.uk
0117 33 12025
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Biochemistry: Cellular Composition | BIOC10003 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Biochemistry: Cellular Processes | BIOC10004 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Normal and Tumour Cells | PANM12051 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Pharmacology 1A | PHPH10003 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Fundamentals of Body Function | PHPH10014 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases | PANM10001 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
120 |
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.
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