University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2014/15 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Life Sciences > School of Biochemistry > Biochemistry with Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (MSci) > Specification
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Programme code | 7BIOC009U |
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Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
Nigel Savery
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Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
School/department | School of Biochemistry |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 4 years (full time) |
This programme aims to develop the student’s interest in and knowledge and understanding of life's processes at a molecular and cellular level and to produce well-informed graduates with an excellent range of skills and attitudes appropriate to their future careers. Students will obtain:
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Acquisition of knowledge through lectures, workshops, seminars, tutorials, practical classes, web-based resources and directed reading with a strong emphasis on primary materials. Independent learning is achieved through written coursework, directed self-education and literary and practical research projects. |
Methods of Assessment | |
The knowledge base is largely tested through traditional unseen written examinations (which include essay/short answer and multiple choice questions and numerical calculations, data analysis and literature comprehension). Knowledge is also assessed project work, and a variety of coursework formats. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Intellectual skills are developed through lectures, workshops, tutorials, practical classes, web-based resources and directed reading with a strong emphasis on primary materials later in the programme. Independent learning is achieved through written coursework, directed self-education and literary and practical research projects. Units are structured in such a way that the skills develop progressively over the programme. |
Methods of Assessment | |
All assessment tasks (written examinations, assessed coursework, laboratory classes and research projects) test powers of analysis, synthesis, problem-solving and evaluation. Practical and literary projects provide an opportunity to assess the integration of these skills within the context of original independent study. Other formats of coursework are designed to assess intellectual skills. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Tutorials and workshops are used to develop oral communication by requiring students to engage in discussions and to make oral presentations. Team working is developed in practical classes, projects, coursework and in tutorial group projects. Written communication is developed through written assignments, assessed coursework and research projects. Digital skills are integral to research and students are encouraged to produce assignments in appropriate formats. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Assessment is primarily through written assignments (examinations, assessed coursework, laboratory write-ups and research projects) that provide evidence of written communication and digital skills as well as knowledge management and information retrieval. Oral communication and team working are assessed through formal presentations and vivas. |
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, students are expected to be able to demonstrate a sound knowledge of the fundamental principles of some of the core aspects of Biochemistry and competence in the relevant skills. It is expected that students should be able to relate this basic biochemical knowledge to a more detailed or advanced understanding of the subject later in the programme. The expectation is that their work at this level may require substantial direction from members of staff. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
At level I students are expected to be able to demonstrate that they have expanded the range and depth of their knowledge of Biochemistry 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 students are expected to expand the breadth and depth of their knowledge of Biochemistry through their study of the core curriculum and specialised options and through their literature and practical 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 and problems. They should also be able to keep abreast of new and forthcoming developments in biochemistry and in related areas of science. |
Level M/7 - Masters |
At level M students are expected to demonstrate an in-depth, understanding and critical awareness of the frontiers of biochemistry, and are expected to develop a comprehensive and practical understanding of biochemical techniques. They will apply this knowledge to an extended research project where they will they will show the ability to work independently on a research problem. At this level students will be able to synthesize complex knowledge and evaluate its significance. They will show an ethical awareness of the importance of biochemistry to society and be able to reflect on how to develop their professional skills independently. |
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 at undergraduate levels depends on your 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 clinical or 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 Medical and Veterinary Science are calculated on the assumption that you will work at least an average of 40 hours per week over the 29 weeks of the academic year. (In year five of the BVSc programme clinical training commitments raise this to 35 weeks). 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, practical classes and clinical instruction. Outside classes you will need to undertake two types of academic activity. One type is that directed by your unit (such as practical class reports, 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. Teaching is normally delivered during weeks 1-24 with weeks 25-29 being for private study and exams, except in the final year of most BSc programmes when teaching finishes in week 20.
Wednesday afternoon is set aside for students to engage in extracurricular activities, such as sporting activities. Students in the final year of the BVSc programme should note that they will not normally be able to continue with such activities due to clinical commitments. 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. Veterinary students will have commitments to extramural rotations during many vacations. All students are expected to use the Christmas and Easter holidays to revise for the mid-sessional examinations held in January and for the end of year examinations held in May/June. Should you be unsuccessful in the summer 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 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. On the Veterinary programme this is related to the need to demonstrate certain knowledge, skills and competencies required by professional, statutory or regulatory bodies. These may require students to undertake study and assessments at times outside normal university hours of work, including on days associated with religious observance.
The medical science BSc programmes conform to the University modular framework where10 credits represent about 100 hours of student work. (Please note that the BVSc Programme is not modular and therefore does not award credit points). 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/fmvs/media/uobonly/ug/assessment_feedback_statement.pdf
Dr Kelly Moule (phone 0117 331 2169, email S.K.Moule@bristol.ac.uk)
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Biological Chemistry 1A: Molecules of Life | BIOC10001 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Biological Chemistry 1B: Powering Biomolecular Interactions | BIOC10002 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Biochemistry: Cellular Composition Not available in this year | BIOC10003 | 20 | Mandatory | |
Biochemistry: Cellular Processes Not available in this year | BIOC10004 | 20 | Mandatory | |
Select from either: | ||||
Introduction to Microbiology | PANM12041 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Microbes and Disease | PANM12042 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
or | ||||
Normal and Tumour Cells | PANM12051 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Pathological Responses of Cells | PANM12052 | 20 | Optional | 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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