2017/18 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue

BSc Biological Sciences (Biotechnology with Enterprise)

Total credits: 360

Entry requirements:

A level or Advanced Higher: AAA-AAB from 3 A2 levels /Advance Higher including Biology and another science or science-related subject at A2 level. Critical thinking and General Studies is excluded. International Baccalaureate: 35-34 points (with 16-18 at higher level) including 6 in HL Biology and another science or science related subject at HL.

School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme:

School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences

Examination board through which the programme will be considered:

Faculty of Biological Sciences Undergraduate School

Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups:

Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Guidance
While no QAA Subject Benchmark exists for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, QAA guidance has been published. This programme follows the guidance: it includes an emphasis on key theories of entrepreneurship in the economy and society as a subject discipline while further focussing on processes of identifying and developing new enterprise opportunities. The programme will support students in developing their personal development in relation to subject-domain knowledge, personal skills development and independent learning. Furthermore, the programme meets QAA guidance through access to alumni, industry advisors and practical enterprise projects within the curriculum and through the University’s extra-curricular provision.

Biosciences
Subject knowledge and understanding
- A broad-based knowledge and understanding of molecular and cellular biology, including aspects of biochemistry, microbiology, cell biology, genetics, and immunology and their application to biotechnology and applied scientific innovation.
- A broad-based knowledge and understanding of forms of entrepreneurship and enterprising activity together with relevant enterprise development processes.
- Integration of Biotechnology with Enterprise represents an ideal partnership for students who demonstrate an interest and flair for understanding the applications of science and their commercialisation.

Practical skills
- Undertake sufficient practical work to ensure competence in basic experimental skills appropriate to biotechnology
- Design, plan conduct and report on investigations, involving primary or secondary data
- Obtain, record, collate and analyse data using appropriate techniques, working individually or as a group.
- Undertake laboratory investigations of living systems in a responsible, safe and ethical manner.

Graduate and transferable skills
Intellectual skills
- Recognise and apply subject-specific theories, concepts and principles in biotechnology and enterprise.
- Analyse, synthesise, and summarise information critically, including published research.
- Obtain and integrate several lines of subject-specific evidence to formulate and test hypotheses.
- Apply subject-specific knowledge and understanding to address familiar and unfamiliar problems.
- Recognise the moral and ethical issues of investigations, and appreciate the need for ethical standards and professional codes of conduct.

Numeracy skills
- Handle information of varied type; textual, numerical, graphical, verbal.
- Collect, record and analyse data in laboratory and enterprise settings; ensure validity, accuracy, calibration, precision, replicability and highlight areas of uncertainty
- Process, interpret and present data, using appropriate quantitative and qualitative techniques, statistical programmes, spreadsheets and programs for presenting data visually

Communication, presentation and information technology skills
- Communicate about their subject to different audiences using varied formats and approaches, using appropriate language and terminology
- Cite and reference work appropriately, including the avoidance of plagiarism
- Use the internet and other electronic sources critically as a means of communication and a source of information

Interpersonal and teamwork skills
- Identify individual and collective goals and responsibilities Recognise and respect the views and opinions of other team members
- Negotiating skills
- Evaluate performance as an individual and a team member: evaluate the performance of others
- Develop an appreciation of the interdisciplinary nature of both science and enterprise, and of the validity of different points of view

Self-management and professional development skills
- Develop skills necessary for self-managed and lifelong learning
- Identify and work towards targets for personal, academic and career development
- Develop an adaptable, flexible and effective approach to study and work
- Commercial awareness

Programme specification:

The introduction of the BSc Biotechnology with Enterprise creates a novel opportunity for students to gain a sound grounding in a broad range of biological sciences areas which underpin the growing biotechnology industry, combined with an understanding of the knowledge and skills required to bring a new idea to the marketplace. It combines existing or modified modules in biological sciences, and modules in biology relating to applied biology and genetics with a suite of modules, both existing and new, from the Leeds Enterprise Centre, to produce an integrated BSc programme which is distinct from the existing portfolio of programmes offered by the School/Faculty.

The biological sciences elements of the BSc Biotechnology programme are distinct from the Biological Sciences degree programme in each year, offering a different combination of modules from those available on any of the four existing biological sciences themes, and appropriate to students with a focus on biotechnology. In Year 3, students will undertake biotechnology-related advanced topic units.

Collaboration with Leeds Enterprise Centre, part of the prestigious Leeds University Business School, provides a distinctive programme that ensures that students have access to the very best educational experience and support as they embark upon their studies. Students will study modules from the portfolio already offered by Leeds Enterprise Centre, in addition to two modules created especially for with Enterprise degree programmes across the institution.

New with Enterprise programmes will form part of the campus-wide portfolio of activities and student education opportunities that support Enterprise at the University of Leeds. As a result, successful applicants undertaking this programme of study will benefit from opportunities to work with students engaged in enterprising activities from different disciplines, while further being able to access support and information from a range of related student services.

The inclusion of enterprise modules delivered in conjunction with the Leeds Enterprise Centre provides a distinctive flavour to this programme by developing student skills in the areas of creativity, business development and finance.

At the end of the programme students should:
- Have gained a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the major areas of biological sciences and be able to identify potential technological applications of biological systems, living organisms or derivatives thereof;
- Have gained a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of entrepreneurship and enterprise development activity in relation to economic and societal outcomes, in local and global contexts.
- Have received training and personal development opportunities in generic and transferable skills and attitudes necessary for further academic study and/or a career in the Biosciences/Biotechnology or those that may reasonably be required of a graduate employee;
- Have knowledge of current bioscience & biotechnological techniques and methodologies, with hands-on experience of some of these;

The programme should provide:
- comprehensive knowledge and understanding of molecular and cell biology, microbiology, genetics and bioinformatics;
- an emphasis on the applications of biotechnology in the modern world, both commercially (e.g. pharmaceuticals, agriculture etc.) and clinically;
- a developmental approach to the teaching of biotechnology, from foundation in Year 1 to the cutting edge of the subject in Year 3;
- integrated teaching of enterprise modules across all years of study with an emphasis in Years 2 and 3 on business planning and research implementation of business-associated concepts, coupled with tutorial- and seminar-based delivery of biotechnology related enterprise examples.
- experience of a variety of teaching methods (lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials and computer-assisted learning packages);
- a substantial amount of small-group teachi ng throughout the course, including practical laboratory groups, workshops, weekly academic/skills tutorials in Year 1 and further academic tutorials throughout Years 2 and 3;
- personal tutor meetings (supported by LeedsforLife) scheduled throughout the programme to guide students in their personal and career development and in formulating their learning plans;
- teaching that draws on the combined expertise of several bioscience departments with highly-rated, research-active staff many of whom have research groups using biotechnological methods;
- a final-year project in enterprise and business development delivered by colleagues in LUBS complemented with a research tools and applications project in biotechnology (20 credit);
- a series of Advanced Topic Units (ATUs) with an emphasis on those related to Biotechnology, from which finalists choose those that appeal to their interests and career aspirations;
- training in generic skills suitable for a wide variety of careers in research, science-based industry and other employment;
- an opportunity for suitably-qualified students to experience an industrial placement in Year 3 following successful completion of Year 2, e.g. in the biotechnology industry;
- an opportunity for suitably qualified students to study at an overseas university in Year 3 following successful completion of Year 2;
- an opportunity for suitably-qualified students to transfer onto the Integrated Masters (MBiol) programme;
- opportunities for summer studentships and internships.

Year1 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 10 credits from the following optional modules:

Year2 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Optional modules:

Candidates are required to take 20 credits of modules from the following subsets:

Candidates are required to take 10 credits of modules from Subset A below:

Candidates are required to take 10 credits of modules from subset B below:

Year3 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 20 credits from the following optional modules:

A Biotechnology pathway of selected Advanced Topics will be followed by students undertaking this programme

Last updated: 15/06/2017

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