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BSc Biological Sciences

Academic Year 2018/19

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 processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.

Programme Title

BSc Biological Sciences

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

Bachelor of Science

Programme Code

BSC-BSC-S

UCAS Code

C100

HECoS Code

100345

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Mode of Study

Full Time

Type of Programme

Single Honours

Length of Programme

3 Academic Year(s)

Total Credits for Programme

360

Exit Awards available

INSTITUTE INFORMATION

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Biological Sciences

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

Level 6

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

N/A

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)

No

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

Methods of Assessment

They are assessed through written reports. Particularly at Stage 3, 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

Methods of Assessment

Practical reports, completion of practical skills portfolio

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

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

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

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

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

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

Methods of Assessment

Honours project progress

Work effectively with other people

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Practicals, final year Honours project, optional work placement

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

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

Methods of Assessment

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

MODULE INFORMATION

Stages and Modules

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 0% 30% 70%
Biodiversity BIO1305 1 40 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 40% 0% 60%
Molecular Basis of Life BIO1304 1 40 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 0% 25% 75%
Work Placement BIO2303 2 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Cell Biology 2 BIO2304 2 40 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 40% 0% 60%
Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics BIO2305 2 40 YES YES 24 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 60% 0% 40%
Invertebrate Biology BIO2203 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 20% 0% 80%
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 24 weeks N YES 5% 25% 70%
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 25% 0% 75%
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 0% 0% 100%
Behavioural Ecology 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%

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. BIO2303: 10 workshops and 16 week placement

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