2021/22 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue
MBiol, BSc Biochemistry (Integrated Masters)
Programme code: | MBBS-BIOC | UCAS code: | C709 |
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Duration: | 4 Years | Method of Attendance: | Full Time |
Programme manager: | Dr Anastasia Zhuravleva | Contact address: | A.Zhuravleva@leeds.ac.uk |
Total credits: 480
Entry requirements:
A Level: AAA, including Chemistry and another science subject. (Science subjects: biology, human biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics OR Science-related subjects: PE, geography, psychology, use of maths and statistics). Critical Thinking and General Studies excluded. Applicants taking a Science A-level (in England) will be required to achieve a pass in the practical element in addition to the standard A-level grade requirement. When an applicant is taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) or the Cambridge International Project Qualification (Cambridge IPQ) this can be considered alongside A-levels and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A-levels, this would be ABB at A-level and grade A in the EPQ (BSc applicants) or AAB and grade A in the EPQ (MBiol applicants).
GCSE: Grade 6 (B) or above at GCSE Maths and Grade 4 (C) or above at GCSE English.
- IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any component or equivalent English language qualification.
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 including:
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 offers students an excellent breadth and depth of knowledge plus the exceptional experience of advanced research. The initial two years of the programme follows the existing BSc Biochemistry programme. The year 3 will be similar to that for students enrolled on the 3 year BSc programme but integrated with year 4 with students undertaking a research project comprising of a 20 credit research project and 20 credit research literature project at level 3. The fourth year of the programme is research focused, comprising an 90 credit research project and 30 credits of research topics and skills training. There is a strong emphasis on independent learning, problem solving and data analysis, taught in the context of the subject. The extended individual project allows students to develop their research skills in greater depth and produce a report containing material of publishable quality that could contribute to a research publication.
The programme aims to provide an understanding of the structure and function of living things at a molecular level. It covers both fundamental and applied topics and applies the molecular approaches of chemistry to the vast variety of biological systems in a practical way. It is one of two biochemistry programmes offered by the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, the second being Medical Biochemistry. Both degrees share a common first year with specialisation as the course progresses with students studying defined modules and/or defined Advanced Topic Units aligned to their programme. Further specialisation is achieved through the research projects completed at levels 3 and 5 (year 4). These include the 20 credit research project, the 20 credit literature review project and the 90 credit final year project: the content being specific to their programme of study. The research project and the biochemistry specialist taught modules covered during the different levels of study, will collectively develop both breadth and depth of knowledge in Biochemistry together with an exceptional experience of research delivered through and integrated research project.
This programme is distinctive because it develops an excellent breadth and depth of knowledge in Biochemistry together with an exceptional experience of advanced research delivered through an integrated research project.
The most important values which inform the MBiol, BSc Biochemistry 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 Biochemistry 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 Biochemistry 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 Biochemistry 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 Biochemistry 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 abili ty 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 Biochemistry 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 MBiol, BSc Biochemistry 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:
BIOC1302 | Introductory Biochemistry: Practical Skills | 20 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
BIOC1303 | Introductory Biochemistry: Problem Solving and Data Handling | 20 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
BIOC1304 | Introductory Integrated Biochemistry: the Molecules and Processes of Life | 50 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
BLGY1115 | Introduction to Cell Biology: from Molecules to Cells and Tissues | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Optional modules:
Candidates will be required to study at least 10 credits from the following optional modules:
BLGY1237 | Introduction to Genetics | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
BMSC1210 | Biology of the Mind | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
BMSC1212 | Introduction to Pharmacology | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
MICR1202 | The Microbial World | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
MICR1220 | Introduction to Immunology | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Discovery modules:
Students may select upto 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:
BIOC2302 | Intermediate Biochemistry: Practicals | 20 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
BIOC2303 | Intermediate Biochemistry: Skills | 20 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
BIOC2306 | Intermediate Biochemistry | 30 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
BIOL2111 | Genetic Engineering | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
BIOL2210 | Biological Membranes and Cell Signalling | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
MICR2120 | Cell Biology of Disease | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Optional modules:
Students must select a minimum of 10 credits and a maximum of 20 credits of optional modules.
BMSC2210 | Chemotherapy | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
FOBS2240 | Skills in Communicating Research beyond the University | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
MICR2221 | Medical Immunology | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
MICR2222 | Medical Virology | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Candidates who wish to study a modern foreign language can do so by arrangement with the programme leader
Discovery modules:
Students may select up to 10 credits of Discovery modules.
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:
BIOC3111 | Advanced Topics in Biochemistry I | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
BIOC3221 | Advanced Topics in Biochemistry 2 | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
BIOC3231 | Advanced Topics in Biochemistry 3 | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
BIOC3303 | Advanced Biochemistry: Skills | 20 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
BIOL3398 | Research Tools and Applications | 20 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
BIOL3399 | Extended Research Project Preparation | 20 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
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:
BIOL5382M | Extended Research Project | 90 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
BIOL5394M | Specialised Research Topics and Skills | 30 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Optional modules:
Discovery modules:
Last updated: 30/06/2021 16:09:27
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