Undergraduate Programme Specification
BSc Microbiology
Academic Year 2021/22
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 Microbiology | Final Award (exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes) |
Bachelor of Science | |||||||||||
Programme Code | MCB-BSC-S | UCAS Code | C500 | HECoS Code |
100353 - Microbiology - 100 |
ATAS Clearance Required | No | |||||||||||||
Mode of Study | Full Time | |||||||||||||
Type of Programme | Single Honours | Length of Programme | Full Time - 3 Academic Year(s) | Total Credits for Programme | 360 | |||||||||
Exit Awards available |
Institute Information
Teaching Institution |
Queen's University Belfast |
School/Department |
Biological Sciences |
Quality Code Higher Education Credit Framework for England |
Level 6 |
Subject Benchmark Statements The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies |
Biosciences (2019) |
Accreditations (PSRB) |
|
Royal Society of Biology |
Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 16-10-18 |
Regulation Information
Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations None |
Programme Specific Regulations In addition to the Study Regulations for Undergraduate Programmes: in order to be awarded an honours degree, the honours degree students must pass the honours project module |
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
The BSc Honours Microbiology Programme is designed to give graduates in-depth knowledge into the concepts and theories relating to microbiology. This course allows students to understand the complexity and diversity of life through the study of micro-organisms at the molecular and physiological level through to their genetics and evolution. Students will gain a broad appreciation of the importance of microbiology to human health, agri-food production and the environment and the field of biotechnology. The programme is underpinned by an active research environment and aims to enable all students to develop comprehensive subject-specific knowledge with practical and transferable skills in the area of microbiology whilst, encouraging creative thinking and innovation. On completion of the programme successful students will have developed the knowledge and expertise required to pursue a research or other professional career in the Microbial Sciences.
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes: Cognitive SkillsOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Analyse, synthesise and critically evaluate scientific literature. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Outcomes are achieved through lectures, practical Methods of Assessment Students are assessed through unseen written examinations, class tests, practical reports, oral presentations, essays, posters, case studies, data analysis and a project thesis. |
Apply subject knowledge and understanding to generate hypotheses to address familiar and unfamiliar problems. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Outcomes are achieved through lectures, practical Methods of Assessment Students are assessed through unseen written examinations, class tests, practical reports, oral presentations, essays, posters, case studies, data analysis and a project thesis. |
Demonstrate the ability to evaluate critically the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems and appreciate the limitations of current hypotheses. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Outcomes are achieved through lectures, practical Methods of Assessment Students are assessed through unseen written examinations, class tests, practical reports, oral presentations, essays, posters, case studies, data analysis and a project thesis. |
Recognise the importance of academic and research integrity and ethical issues of investigations. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Outcomes are achieved through lectures, practical Methods of Assessment Students are assessed through unseen written examinations, class tests, practical reports, oral presentations, essays, posters, case studies, data analysis and a project thesis. |
Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & UnderstandingOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the theoretical basis of microbiology (to include bacteriology, immunology, mycology and virology). |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Knowledge-based subject-specific learning and teaching is provided through lectures, module practical classes, discussions, field work, tutorials, group work, final year project work, online learning via the University VLE and independent study. Methods of Assessment Students are assessed through unseen written examinations, class tests, practical reports, oral presentations, essays, posters, case studies, data analysis and a project thesis. |
Appreciate the ways in which studies in pure microbiology underpin applied aspects of microbiology. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Knowledge-based subject-specific learning and teaching is provided through lectures, module practical classes, discussions, field work, tutorials, group work, final year project work, online learning via the University VLE and independent study. Methods of Assessment Students are assessed through unseen written examinations, class tests, practical reports, oral presentations, essays, posters, case studies, data analysis and a project thesis. |
Exhibit a critical awareness of the ability of microbiology to enhance the quality of life with respect to human health, agri-food production and the environment. Recognising that microbiology spans diverse areas including medicine, ecology, biotechnology and other molecular biosciences. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Knowledge-based subject-specific learning and teaching is provided through lectures, module practical classes, discussions, field work, tutorials, group work, final year project work, online learning via the University VLE and independent study. Methods of Assessment Students are assessed through unseen written examinations, class tests, practical reports, oral presentations, essays, posters, case studies, data analysis and a project thesis. |
Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of biodiversity and evolution through the study of micro-organisms. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Knowledge-based subject-specific learning and teaching is provided through lectures, module practical classes, discussions, field work, tutorials, group work, final year project work, online learning via the University VLE and independent study. Methods of Assessment Students are assessed through unseen written examinations, class tests, practical reports, oral presentations, essays, posters, case studies, data analysis and a project thesis. |
Learning Outcomes: Subject SpecificOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Comprehend the scientific literature relating to microbiology and integrate information there from to address problems, and formulate and test hypotheses. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Scientific writing workshops, library courses, online Methods of Assessment Students are assessed through written reports, direct observation in the laboratory (OSPE) or field, essays and honours project thesis. Students are referred to the primary literature in support of taught modules and prepare a project-oriented review. Practical reports, completion of practical skills portfolio. Completion of /compliance with Ethical procedures, COSHH and Risk Assessment. |
Be able to devise, evaluate and carry out experimental work in a microbiology laboratory. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Scientific writing workshops, library courses, online Methods of Assessment Students are assessed through written reports, direct observation in the laboratory (OSPE) or field, essays and honours project thesis. Students are referred to the primary literature in support of taught modules and prepare a project-oriented review. Practical reports, completion of practical skills portfolio. Completion of /compliance with Ethical procedures, COSHH and Risk Assessment. |
Document and present data, using appropriate statistical analysis. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Scientific writing workshops, library courses, online Methods of Assessment Students are assessed through written reports, direct observation in the laboratory (OSPE) or field, essays and honours project thesis. Students are referred to the primary literature in support of taught modules and prepare a project-oriented review. Practical reports, completion of practical skills portfolio. Completion of /compliance with Ethical procedures, COSHH and Risk Assessment. |
Be proficient in the use of IT for accessing databases and scientific literature, manipulating, processing and presenting data and written assignments. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Scientific writing workshops, library courses, online Methods of Assessment Students are assessed through written reports, direct observation in the laboratory (OSPE) or field, essays and honours project thesis. Students are referred to the primary literature in support of taught modules and prepare a project-oriented review. Practical reports, completion of practical skills portfolio. Completion of /compliance with Ethical procedures, COSHH and Risk Assessment. |
Interrogate and evaluate bibliographic and bioinformatic databases. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Scientific writing workshops, library courses, online Methods of Assessment Students are assessed through written reports, direct observation in the laboratory (OSPE) or field, essays and honours project thesis. Students are referred to the primary literature in support of taught modules and prepare a project-oriented review. Practical reports, completion of practical skills portfolio. Completion of /compliance with Ethical procedures, COSHH and Risk Assessment. |
Comply with health and safety regulations and ethics procedures relevant to the specific project type and/or practical environment. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Scientific writing workshops, library courses, online Methods of Assessment Students are assessed through written reports, direct observation in the laboratory (OSPE) or field, essays and honours project thesis. Students are referred to the primary literature in support of taught modules and prepare a project-oriented review. Practical reports, completion of practical skills portfolio. Completion of /compliance with Ethical procedures, COSHH and Risk Assessment. |
Learning Outcomes: Transferable SkillsOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Demonstrate an ability to communicate and apply knowledge of the biological |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The development of transferrable skills is embedded Methods of Assessment Students are assessed through unseen written examinations, class tests, practical reports, oral presentations, essays, posters, case studies, data analysis and a project thesis. |
Exhibit the personal and intellectual skills necessary for the world of employment and lifelong learning including: |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The development of transferrable skills is embedded Methods of Assessment Students are assessed through unseen written examinations, class tests, practical reports, oral presentations, essays, posters, case studies, data analysis and a project thesis. |
Demonstrate innovation in science through discovery and the application of knowledge. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The development of transferrable skills is embedded Methods of Assessment Students are assessed through unseen written examinations, class tests, practical reports, oral presentations, essays, posters, case studies, data analysis and a project thesis. |
Demonstrate proficiency in the use of computers for data management and presentation. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The development of transferrable skills is embedded Methods of Assessment Students are assessed through unseen written examinations, class tests, practical reports, oral presentations, essays, posters, case studies, data analysis and a project thesis. |
Demonstrate proficiency in the collation, quantitative analysis, graphical presentation, and interpretation of experimental data, and the ability to problem-solve. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The development of transferrable skills is embedded Methods of Assessment Students are assessed through unseen written examinations, class tests, practical reports, oral presentations, essays, posters, case studies, data analysis and a project thesis. |
Module Information
Stages and Modules
Module Title | Module Code | Level/ stage | Credits | Availability |
Duration | Pre-requisite | Assessment |
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
S1 | S2 | Core | Option | Coursework % | Practical % | Examination % | ||||||
Structure, Reactivity and Mechanism in Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry | CHM1004 | 1 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% | ||
Fundamentals of Chemistry | CHM1011 | 1 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% | ||
The World of Microorganisms | BIO1301 | 1 | 40 | YES | YES | 24 weeks | N | YES | 40% | 0% | 60% | |
Biodiversity | BIO1305 | 1 | 40 | YES | YES | 24 weeks | N | YES | 50% | 0% | 50% | |
Molecular Basis of Life | BIO1304 | 1 | 40 | YES | YES | 24 weeks | N | YES | 40% | 0% | 60% | |
Ecology and Environmental Science | BIO1309 | 1 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 50% | 0% | 50% | ||
Work Placement | BIO2303 | 2 | 20 | YES | YES | 24 weeks | N | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% | |
Cell Biology | BIO2104 | 2 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% | ||
Advanced Cell Biology | BIO2304 | 2 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | Y | YES | 40% | 0% | 60% | ||
Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics | BIO2305 | 2 | 40 | YES | YES | 24 weeks | N | YES | 50% | 0% | 50% | |
Experimental Biochemistry | BIO2102 | 2 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | Y | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% | ||
Microorganisms in Action | BIO2202 | 2 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | Y | YES | 40% | 0% | 60% | ||
Plant and Soil Science | BIO2106 | 2 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% | ||
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 | 20% | 0% | 80% | ||
Microbiome: Biotechnological applications and ‘Omic manipulations | BIO3203 | 3 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | Y | YES | 40% | 0% | 60% | ||
Industrial Microbiology | BIO3103 | 3 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% | ||
Medical Microbiology | BIO3209 | 3 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | Y | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% |
Notes
Stage 1: Students must take the compulsory modules (80 CATS) listed and a further module (40 CATS) which are strongly recommended to be from the optional modules listed. CHM1004: Pre-requisite - A-Level Chemistry CHM1011: Students wishing to take this module should discuss with their Advisor of Studies before choosing. Students must take an equal distribution of CATS points between semesters
Stage 2: Students must take the compulsory modules (100 CATS) listed and ONE other module (20 CATS) which it is recommended should be selected from the optional modules listed. BIO2202 Pre-requisite: BIO1301 BIO2102 Pre-requisite: CHM1011 BIO2304 Pre-requisite: BIO2104 Students must take an equal distribution of CATS points between semesters
Stage 3: Students must take the compulsory modules (100 CATS) listed and one other module (20 CATS) which it is recommended should be selected from the optional modules listed. BIO3203 Pre-requisite: BIO1301 BIO3209 Pre-requisite BIO1301 Students must take an equal distribution of CATS points between semesters