detail

MSci Biological Sciences

Academic Year 2017/18

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance and Enhancement processes as set out in the DASA Policies and Procedures Manual.

Programme Title

MSci Biological Sciences

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

Master in Science

Programme Code

BSC-MSCI-S

UCAS Code

C102

JACS Code

C100 (DESCR) 100

Criteria for Admissions

A-level:
AAB including Biology and at least one from Chemistry (preferred), Geography, Mathematics or Physics + GCSE Chemistry grade C or GCSE Double Award Science grades CC + GCSE Mathematics grade C
OR
AAB including Double Award Applied Science + GCSE Biology and Chemistry grade C or GCSE Double Award Science grades CC + GCSE Mathematics grade C
OR
AAA including Biology + GCSE Chemistry grade C or GCSE Double Award Science grades CC + GCSE Mathematics grade C.
Note: it would be an advantage to have studied Chemistry beyond GCSE level.

Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher Level):
A2B2B2B2B2B2 including Higher Level grade B2 in Biology and at least one from Chemistry (preferred), Geography, Mathematics or Physics + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade C in Chemistry and Mathematics
OR
AAB2B2B2B2 including Higher Level grade B2 in Biology + Ordinary Level grade C in Chemistry + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade C in Mathematics.
Note: it would be an advantage to have studied Higher Level Chemistry.

International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please click on Your Country in the International Students website.

If you are an international student and you do not meet the entrance requirements, you should consider a preparation course at INTO Queen's University Belfast, which will prepare you for successful study on these degree courses. INTO at Queen's is based on the University campus and offers a range of courses including the International Foundation in Engineering and Science.

For students whose first language is not English
An IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs

ATAS Clearance Required

Health Check Required

Portfolio Required

Interview Required

Mode of Study

Full Time

Type of Programme

Undergraduate Master

Length of Programme

4 Academic Year(s)

Total Credits for Programme

480

Exit Awards available

INSTITUTE INFORMATION

Awarding Institution/Body

Queen's University Belfast

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Biological Sciences

Framework for Higher Education Qualification Level
www.qaa.ac.uk

Level 7

QAA Benchmark Group
www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

Biosciences (2007)

Accreditations (PSRB)

REGULATION INFORMATION

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

None

Programme Specific Regulations

The following regulations should be read in conjunction with the University’s General Regulations.
Transfers to and from the programme
Students enrolled on BSc in Biological Sciences may transfer into this programme at any stage provided that they have a weighted mean mark of at least 60%.
Students enrolled on this pathway may transfer to BSc in Biological Sciences up until the end of Stage 3.

Progression
To progress from Stage 3 to Stage 4, students must obtain a weighted mean mark across Stage 1, 2 and 3 of at least 60% and attain a minimum mark of 60% in the Honours project module. Students who do not meet these requirements will be required to transfer to the BSc in Biological Sciences.

Degree Classification
The following module weightings should be used when calculating the honours classification: Stage 1 5%, Stage 2 15%, Stage 3 30%, Stage 4 50%.

Students with protected characteristics

The programme does not contain barriers to access or progression among protected groups.

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF PROGRAMME

On completion of the programme the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an extensive knowledge and understanding of concepts and theories relating to the biological sciences from the molecular and cellular aspects through to the whole-organism

2. Demonstrate a range of practical laboratory skills with respect to the investigation and manipulation of biological material and physical, chemical and biological measurements relevant to the biological sciences, and the application of these skills in a research project setting

3. Demonstrate proficiency in the collation, quantitative analysis and interpretation of experimental data, and the ability to problem-solve

4. Demonstrate an ability to communicate and apply knowledge on the biological sciences

5. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of computers for data management and presentation

6. Demonstrate intellectual, personal and team skills necessary for the world of employment and further study

7. Demonstrate the ability to propose, plan and carry out high quality research work in the discipline.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Demonstrate an extensive knowledge and understanding of concepts and theories relating to the biological sciences from the molecular and cellular aspects through to the whole-organism

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practicals, independent study

Methods of Assessment

End of semester examinations, mid-semester class tests, essays, practical reports, oral/poster presentations, project write-ups

Demonstrate a range of practical laboratory skills with respect to the investigation and manipulation of biological material and physical, chemical and biological measurements relevant to the biological sciences, and the application of these skills in a research project setting

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practicals, final year project work

Methods of Assessment

Practical reports, project assessment

Demonstrate proficiency in the collation, quantitative analysis and interpretation of experimental data, and the ability to problem-solve

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practicals, final year Honours project, optional work placement

Methods of Assessment

End of semester examinations, mid-semester class tests, essays, practical reports, oral/poster presentations, project write-ups

Design, plan and manage a significant sized research project

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Through their MSci research project

Methods of Assessment

Project proposal, research diary, interim reports and dissertation.

Demonstrate the ability to evaluate, problem solve and make decisions based on their own and others evidence.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Review of own and others work, through literature and practice.

Methods of Assessment

Project proposal, interim reports, and presentation.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of:
1. the similarities and diversity of living things and the processes which underpin life on earth;
2. a range of biological sciences from the molecular to the whole organism approach, based on the recurring theme of evolution through natural selection;
3. the major theories and concepts of the biological sciences
4. show in-depth knowledge and understanding of a specific aspect of the subject.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Knowledge-based subject-specific learning and teaching is provided through lectures, tutorials, directed reading, field-work and computer-based learning materials and extended in a specific area through the Honours and MSci projects

Through the MSci project

Methods of Assessment

Students are assessed primarily through unseen written examinations but also on the basis of practical reports, oral presentations, essays and a project thesis. Course work may be assessed personally, by peers or by staff
Interim reports, dissertation and presentation for MSci project

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Comprehend the scientific literature relating to Biological Sciences and integrate information there from

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Skills in the analysis and interpretation of biological sciences data are developed in practical class exercises at Stages 1 and 2 and the research project at Stage 3. Competence in laboratory work is developed incrementally through set practicals and the final year research project to the MSci research project.

Methods of Assessment

They are assessed through written reports. Particularly at Stage 3 and 4, students are referred to the primary literature in support of taught modules, and prepare a project-oriented review.

Carry out routine and investigative work in a biological sciences laboratory

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Subject specific practicals, practical skills workshops, final years Honours project, optional work placement and MSci project.

Methods of Assessment

Practical reports, completion of practical skills portfolio, MSci diary.

Comply with health and safety regulations

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students are instructed about safety protocols relating to practical work and prepare risk assessments as part of their research project.

Methods of Assessment

Completion of / compliance with COSHH Risk Assessments

Interrogate and evaluate scientific, bibliographic databases

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Scientific writing workshops, library courses, online teaching material

Methods of Assessment

Written reports, essays, honours project thesis, MSci dissertation and interim reports.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Demonstrate an ability to communicate (orally and in writing) and apply knowledge on the biological sciences

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practicals, final year Honours project, optional work placement, MSci project

Methods of Assessment

End of semester examinations, mid-semester class tests, essays, practical reports, oral/poster presentations, project write-ups

Demonstrate personal-, intellectual-, independent- and team-skills necessary for the world of employment and further study

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Practicals, final year Honours project, optional work placement, MSci project

Methods of Assessment

Practical reports, oral/poster presentations, project write-ups

Demonstrate proficiency in the collation, quantitative analysis and interpretation of experimental data, and the ability to problem-solve

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practicals, final year Honours project, optional work placement, MSci project

Methods of Assessment

End of semester examinations, mid-semester class tests, essays, practical reports, oral/poster presentations, project write-ups

Demonstrate proficiency in the use of computers for data management and presentation

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practicals, library courses, final year Honours project, MSci project

Methods of Assessment

Practical reports, oral/poster presentations, project write-ups

Demonstrate effective time management and planning

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Practicals, final year Honours project, optional work placement, MSci project.

Methods of Assessment

Honours project progress. MSci interim reports.

Work effectively with other people

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Practicals, final year Honours project, optional work placement, MSci project.

Methods of Assessment

practical reports, oral/poster presentations, project write-ups

Show an ability to learn through independent study

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Practicals, final year Honours project, optional work placement, MSci project.

Methods of Assessment

practical reports, oral/poster presentations, project write-ups

Demonstrate self-reliance

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Practicals, final year Honours project, optional work placement, MSci project.

Methods of Assessment

practical reports, oral/poster presentations, project write-ups

MODULE INFORMATION

Programme Requirements

Module Title	Module Code	Level/ stage	Credits	Availability		Duration	Pre-requisite			Assessment
				S1	S2			Core	Option	Coursework %	Practical %	Examination %
The World of Microorganisms	BIO1301	1	40	YES	YES	24 weeks	N	YES		20%	20%	60%
Biodiversity	BIO1305	1	40	YES	YES	24 weeks	N	YES		35%	15%	50%
Molecular Basis of Life	BIO1304	1	40	YES	YES	24 weeks	N	YES		15%	25%	60%
Work Placement	BIO2303	2	20	YES	YES	24 weeks	N		YES	100%	0%	0%
Cell Biology 2	BIO2304	2	40	YES	YES	40 weeks	N	YES		50%	0%	50%
Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics	BIO2305	2	40	YES	YES	40 weeks	N		YES	50%	0%	50%
Coastal and Oceanic Biology	BIO2206	2	20		YES	12 weeks	N		YES	40%	0%	60%
Experimental Biochemistry	BIO2102	2	20	YES		12 weeks	N		YES	100%	0%	0%
Invertebrate Biology	BIO2203	2	20		YES	12 weeks	N	YES		40%	0%	60%
Applied Ecology	BIO2107	2	20	YES		12 weeks	N		YES	100%	0%	0%
Microorganisms in Action	BIO2202	2	20		YES	12 weeks	N		YES	40%	0%	60%
Animal Biology and Physiology	BIO2306	2	40	YES	YES	40 weeks	N		YES	50%	0%	50%
Plant Biology and Rhizosphere Interactions	BIO2106	2	20	YES		12 weeks	N	YES		100%	0%	0%
Applied Genetics	BIO2205	2	20		YES	12 weeks	N		YES	40%	0%	60%
Research Project	BIO3308	3	40	YES	YES	24 weeks	N	YES		100%	0%	0%
Parasitology	BIO3107	3	20	YES		12 weeks	N		YES	100%	0%	0%
Zoonoses	BIO3204	3	20		YES	12 weeks	N		YES	40%	0%	60%
Industrial Microbiology	BIO3103	3	20	YES		12 weeks	N		YES	100%	0%	0%
Immunology and Pathogenisis of Infectious Diseases	BIO3104	3	20	YES		12 weeks	N		YES	100%	0%	0%
Animal Behaviour	BIO3108	3	20	YES		12 weeks	N		YES	100%	0%	0%
Global Change Biology	BIO3205	3	20		YES	12 weeks	N		YES	50%	0%	50%
Conservation Biology	BIO3206	3	20		YES	12 weeks	N		YES	50%	0%	50%
Research Project (MSci)	BIO4301	4	120	YES	YES	24 weeks	N	YES		100%	0%	0%

Notes

Stage 1: Students must take the compulsory modules (120 CATS) listed.

Stage 2: Students must take the compulsory modules (80 CATS) listed and either two other 20 CAT modules, or one 40 CAT module from the optional modules listed.

Stage 3: Students must take the compulsory module (40 CATS) and four other 20 CAT modules form the optional modules listed.

Stage 4: Students must take the 120 CAT module listed.