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2018/19 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue

MBiol, BSc Biological Sciences (Integrated Masters)

Programme code:MBBS-BIOS/BLUCAS code:C719
Duration:4 Years Method of Attendance: Full Time
Programme manager:Dr Andrew Macdonald Contact address:a.macdonald@leeds.ac.uk

Total credits: 480

Entry requirements:

A Level or Advanced Higher: AAA from 3 A2/Advanced Higher including Biology and another science or science-related subject. Critical Thinking and General Studies excluded.
International Baccalaureate: 35 (with 18 at higher level) including 6 in higher level Biology and another science or science-related subject at higher level.

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

Faculty of Biological Sciences Undergraduate School

Examination board through which the programme will be considered:

Faculty of Biological Sciences Undergraduate School

Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups:

The three year BSc programmes upon which the Integrated Masters are built meet the QAA Benchmarks and meet the QAA expectations for integrated masters programmes.
There are no specified QAA Benchmarks for Integrated Masters degrees in Bioscience, however the principle of such programmes in other subject areas is to ensure coverage of Honours level Benchmark requirements plus ensure that the higher Masters levels objectives are met.

Research training
Project-specific experimental skills
Accessing literature
Planning, including evaluation of hazards and environmental effects
Making oral presentations, writing reports, including critical evaluation
Participating in colloquia

Research project
Implementation of planned experiments
Recording of data and their critical analysis
Dissertation
Outcome potentially publishable

Advanced studies
In area of specialism to support research topic
Complementary studies outside, but cognate to, area of specialism

Problem solving
Development of general strategies including the identification of additional information required and problems where there is not a unique solution
Application of advances studies to the solutions of problems

Professional studies
Ethics and societal responsibilities
Environmental impact
Sustainability

The proportion of each activity will vary depending upon the programme’s learning objectives. However, research studies (training and project) are likely to form at least one-half of the master’s level study.

It is important to note that for students who may elect not to complete the fourth year of the programme, or who are advised that their performance makes it unlikely that they would be successful in completing the programme will have met the QAA benchmarks for the BSc and so will be able to graduate after 3 years.

Programme specification:

The MBiol, BSc Biological Sciences programme is distinctive because it develops an excellent breadth and depth of knowledge in the programme area together with an exceptional experience of advanced research delivered through an integrated research project.
The most important values which inform the MBiol, BSc Biological Sciences programme are to provide excellent students with the opportunity to gain substantial research training and experience through engagement with an individual research project conducted as part of a research team in an internationally recognised research laboratory.
The academic content of the MBiol, BSc Biological Sciences programme concentrates on developing an understanding of research through the delivery and active engagement in taught components, practical skills development, data analysis and problem solving elements culminating in a major research project supported by further research and transferable skills training and career planning opportunities.
The most important intellectual skills developed in the MBiol, BSc Biological Sciences programme are appreciation of the fundamental underpinning principles of the subject area leading through to the current state of the field informed by the research-based ethos of teaching and investigation.
The most useful practical skills, techniques and capabilities developed will be those underpinning the subject specific nature of the programme area, together with advanced level research skills expected of early stage PhD students.
Competency will be developed in a broad range of topics associated with biological sciences and the associated theme specifically, combined with competency in research methodology, the development of hypothesis driven research, the approach to the analysis of data and ability to solve problems, appropriate practical skills in the design and execution of suitable experiments, the production of publication quality outputs and the ability to communicate effectively.
The most important ways in which a student will learn are dependent upon the level of the students as they progress through the course. Initially delivery will be more research-informed teaching in lecture and seminar/tutorial and practical class settings leading to more independent research-based learning through lectures and independent study, small class teaching and project team or individual mentoring. Students will progress from the development of research-based practical skills in teaching labs to the design and execution of independent research work.
On completing the MBiol, BSc Biological Sciences programme we want students to know and understand their programme specialist subject from basic principles through to cutting edge research, and to appreciate the process of research and to be able to demonstrate implementation of these principles.
On completing the programme we want students to be able to compete worldwide with other students for high quality research opportunities within appropriate industries or for PhD positions to pursue research careers.


Year1 - View timetable

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

Candidates will be required to study 120 credits

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

BIOL1302Introductory Skills for Biological Sciences40 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
BLGY1232Introduction to Genetics10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
FOBS1135The Basis of Life20 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
FOBS1201Molecular Physiology20 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MICR1120Introduction to Microbiology20 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Optional modules:

Candidates may select 10 credits from the following optional modules:

BIOL1223Career and Professional Development for Life Scientists10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BIOL1225How can Biological Sciences change the world10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY1211Applied Biology and Agriculture10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BMSC1210Biology of the Mind10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BMSC1212Introduction to Pharmacology10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BMSC1214Human Endocrinology10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Discovery modules:

Candidates may select up to 10 credits of discovery modules.


Year2 - View timetable

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

Candidates will be required to study 120 credits

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

BIOL2110The Power of Genomics10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BIOL2111Genetic Engineering10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BIOL2210Biological Membranes and Cell Signalling10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BIOL2211Human Diseases10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BIOL2301Intermediate Skills for Biological Sciences40 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MICR2120Cell Biology of Disease10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Optional modules:

Candidates must select 30 additional credits of modules by following one of the themes listed below:

Theme 1: INFECTION AND DISEASE
Candidates must select 20 credits from the following compulsory modules:
a) Either BLGY2137 or MICR2121
b) MICR2221 is compulsory

Theme 1: INFECTION AND DISEASE
Candidates must select the following compulsory modules:

BLGY2137Parasitology10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
MICR2121Molecular Virology10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
MICR2221Medical Immunology10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Theme 1: INFECTION AND DISEASE
Candidates will be required to select 10 credits from the following options:

BIOL2223Employment, Career planning and Professional Development for Life Scientists10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY2296Human Genetics10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MICR2220Medical Bacteriology10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MICR2222Medical Virology10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Theme 2: MOLECULAR MEDICINE
Candidates must select the following compulsory modules:

BLGY2296Human Genetics10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BMSC2210Chemotherapy10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BMSC2214Introduction to Toxicology10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Theme 4: MOLECULAR ZOOLOGY
Candidates will be required to select the following compulsory modules:

BLGY2137Parasitology10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BLGY2262Animal Developmental Biology10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Theme 4: MOLECULAR ZOOLOGY
Candidates will be required to select 10 credits from the following optional modules:

BIOL2223Employment, Career planning and Professional Development for Life Scientists10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY2253Animals as Pests10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY2293Animal Physiology: from Ants to Whales10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY2296Human Genetics10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MICR2221Medical Immunology10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Theme 3: PLANTS & AGRICULTURE
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

BLGY2163How Plants Work10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BLGY2225Sustainable Food Production10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY2253Animals as Pests10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Candidates must seek advice from the programme manager in order to select a coherent programme of modules which satisfies the pre-requisites for their chosen level 3 specialisms.

Candidates who wish to study a modern foreign language module as part of their degree programme should discuss this with the programme leader.


Year3 - View timetable

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

Candidates will be required to study 120 credits

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

BIOL3305Advanced Skills in the Biosciences20 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
BIOL3398Research Tools and Applications20 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BIOL3399Extended Research Project Preparation20 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Optional modules:

THEME 1: INFECTION AND DISEASE and THEME 2: MOLECULAR MEDICINE
Students must select all of the following compulsory modules:

BIOL3112Advanced Topics for Biological Sciences 120 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BIOL3210Advanced Topics for Biological Sciences 220 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

THEME 1: INFECTION AND DISEASE and THEME 2: MOLECULAR MEDICINE
Students must select one of the following modules:

BIOL3211Advanced Topics for Biological Sciences 320 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BIOL3215Cancer Biology20 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

THEME 3: PLANTS AND AGRICULTURE
Students must select all of the following compulsory modules:


BLGY3173Plant Growth, Resources and Food Security20 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BLGY3205Applied Plant Science10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY3252Plant Developmental Biology10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

THEME 3: PLANTS AND AGRICULTURE
Students must select one of the following two optional modules:


BIOL3210Advanced Topics for Biological Sciences 220 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BIOL3211Advanced Topics for Biological Sciences 320 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

THEME 4: MOLECULAR ZOOLOGY
Students must select both of the following compulsory modules:

BLGY3251Animal Developmental Biology10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY3291Comparative Genomics10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

THEME 4: MOLECULAR ZOOLOGY
Students must select one of the following two modules:

BIOL3112Advanced Topics for Biological Sciences 120 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BLGY3110Applied Genetics20 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)

THEME 4: MOLECULAR ZOOLOGY
Students must select one of the following two modules:

BIOL3210Advanced Topics for Biological Sciences 220 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BIOL3211Advanced Topics for Biological Sciences 320 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Discovery modules:


Year4 - View timetable

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

Candidates will be required to study 120 credits

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

BIOL5382MExtended Research Project90 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
BIOL5394MSpecialised Research Topics and Skills30 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Optional modules:

Last updated: 26/06/2018

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