1. To provide you with knowledge and understanding of biology from the fundamentals to the frontiers of the subject.

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1 1 Programme Title BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences (Animal Biology) BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences (Microbiology and Infectious Disease) BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences (Molecular and Cellular Biology) NQF Level: 6 2 Description of the Programme The BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences programme is a popular and flexible degree programme, giving you the option to design either a broad-based biology degree or a more focused degree specialising in areas of biology that interest you. You will have the opportunity to follow one of three specialisms animal biology, microbiology and infectious disease or molecular and cellular biology and graduate with your chosen specialism named as part of your degree title if you wish (ie BSc Biological Sciences (Animal Biology) or Biological Sciences (Microbiology and Infectious Disease) or Biological Sciences (Molecular and Cellular Biology)). After a foundation first year, which covers the range of biology from molecules to ecosystems, you have significant freedom of module choice in your second and final years. Options range from forensic science to the ecology of environmental change; from mammalian biology to the molecular basis of infection; from advanced cell biology to a coral reef field course. You can shape your degree as you wish following one of the named specialisms outlined above, or in other areas, or keeping your biological choices broad. 3 Educational Aims of the Programme The general aims of this programme are: To provide education intended to give you competence in Biosciences, and to encourage you to develop your intellectual capabilities within an institution that is committed to advancing research, scholarship and learning, and to disseminating knowledge. More specifically, this programme aims: 1. To provide you with knowledge and understanding of biology from the fundamentals to the frontiers of the subject. 2. To provide you with the basic scientific, intellectual, and practical training that will prepare you for lifelong learning, and, if you wish, for a career in biosciences research. 3. To enable you to experience a supportive learning environment that fosters your academic and personal development. 4 Programme Structure The BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences programme is a three year full-time or six year part-time programme of study at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 6 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). This programme is divided into three stages. Each stage is normally equivalent to an academic year. Your programme is also divided into units of study called modules which are assigned a number of credits. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work. 5 Programme Modules The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme. You may take optional modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module. Descriptions of the individual modules are given in full on the College website: 1

2 You may take elective modules outside of the programme up to 30 credits in Stages 2 and 3 of the programme as long as you have obtained the explicit permission of the Programme Director, any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module. Stage 1: 120 credits of compulsory modules Code Title Credits Compulsory Non- Condonable BIO1331 Animals 15 Yes No BIO1332 Biochemistry 15 Yes No BIO1333 Fundamental Principles for Bioscientists 15 Yes No BIO1334 Genetics 15 Yes No BIO1336 Ecology 15 Yes No BIO1337 Microbiology 15 Yes No BIO1338 Plants 15 Yes No BIO1339 Cells 15 Yes No Stage 2: 15 credits of compulsory modules, 105 credits of optional modules Code Title Credits Compulsory Non- Condonable BIO2071 Research Skills and Bioethics 15 Yes No BIO2066 Forensic Science 15 No No BIO2074 Marine Biology 15 No No BIO2076 Ecology and Environment 15 No No BIO2078 Medical and General Microbiology 15 No No BIO2081 Coral Reef Field Course 15 No No BIO2082 Animal Ecophysiology 15 No No BIO2085 Structure and Reactivity of Organic Compounds 2 15 No No BIO2086 Metabolism 15 No No BIO2088 Advanced Cell Biology 15 No No BIO2089 Molecular Biology of the Gene 15 No No BIO2090 Analytical Techniques in Biochemistry 15 No No BIO2092 Genomics and Introductory Bioinformatics 15 No No BIO2093 Modern Theories of Evolution 15 No No BIO2094 Molecular Microbiology 15 No No BIO2095 Plants and People 15 No No BIO2096 Practical Skills in Field Biology 15 No No PSY2214 Observations and Experiments in Animal Behaviour 15 No No PSY2215 Problems and Projects in Animal Behaviour 15 No No Stage 3: 45 credits of compulsory modules, 75 credits of optional modules Code Title Credits Compulsory Non- Condonable BIO3064 Biosciences Independent Research Project 45 Yes * Yes BIO3063 Biosciences Dissertations 45 Yes * Yes BIO3037 Ecology of Environmental Change 15 No No BIO3038 Mammalian Biology 15 No No BIO3041 Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry 15 No No BIO3042 Secondary Metabolism and Metabolites 15 No No BIO3044 Cell Cycle and Cancer 15 No No BIO3065 Environmental Microbiology 15 No No BIO3066 Evolution of Infectious Diseases 15 No No BIO3067 Ecotoxicology 15 No No BIO3068 Developmental Biology 15 No No BIO3077 Frontiers in Molecular Cell Biology 15 No No BIO3078 Cellular Basis of Immunity 15 No No BIO3079 Molecular Basis of Infection 15 No No 2

3 BIO3080 Microbial Effectors of Disease 15 No No BIO3082 Science Communication 15 No No BIO3083 Current Issues in Marine Biology 15 No No BIO3085 Horizons of Biochemical Research 15 No No BIO3086 Cell Biology of Disease 15 No No * You must choose either BIO3063 or BIO3064. Single Honours in Biological Sciences (Animal Biology) The programme comprises modules as for Single Honours Biological Sciences, including at least 90 Level 5/Level 6 (i.e. Stage 2 and Stage 3) credits from these specialist modules, which must include at least 60 credits from nonproject/dissertation modules: Code Title Credits BIO2074 Marine Biology 15 BIO2081 Coral Reef Field Course 15 BIO2082 Animal Ecophysiology 15 BIO3038 Mammalian Biology 15 BIO3063 Biosciences Dissertations* 45 BIO3064 Independent Research Project* 45 BIO3066 Evolution of Infectious Diseases 15 BIO3067 Ecotoxicology 15 BIO3068 Developmental Biology 15 BIO3083 Current Issues in Marine Biology 15 PSY2214 Observations and Experiments in Animal Behaviour 15 PSY2215 Problems and Projects in Animal Behaviour 15 Single Honours in Biological Sciences (Microbiology and Infectious Disease) The programme comprises modules as for Single Honours Biological Sciences, including at least 90 Level 5/Level 6 (i.e. Stage 2 and Stage 3) credits from these specialist modules, which must include at least 60 credits from nonproject/dissertation modules: Code Title Credits BIO2078 Medical and General Microbiology 15 BIO2089 Molecular Biology of the Gene 15 BIO2094 Molecular Microbiology 15 BIO3063 Biosciences Dissertations* 45 BIO3064 Independent Research Project* 45 BIO3065 Environmental Microbiology 15 BIO3066 Evolution of Infectious Diseases 15 BIO3078 Cellular Basis of Immunity 15 BIO3079 Molecular Basis of Infection 15 BIO3080 Microbial Effectors of Disease 15 Single Honours in Biological Sciences (Molecular and Cellular Biology) The programme comprises modules as for Single Honours Biological Sciences, including at least 90 Level 5/Level 6 (i.e. Stage 2 and Stage 3) credits from these specialist modules, which must include at least 60 credits from nonproject/dissertation modules: Code Title Credits BIO2088 Advanced Cell Biology 15 BIO2089 Molecular Biology of the Gene 15 BIO2092 Genomics and Introductory Bioinformatics 15 BIO3044 Cell Cycle and Cancer 15 BIO3063 Biosciences Dissertations* 45 BIO3064 Independent Research Project* 45 3

4 BIO3068 Developmental Biology 15 BIO3077 Frontiers in Molecular Cell Biology 15 BIO3078 Cellular Basis of Immunity 15 BIO3079 Molecular Basis of Infection 15 BIO3080 Microbial Effectors of Disease 15 BIO3086 Cell Biology of Disease 15 *Projects and Dissertations do not automatically relate to the named specialisms. If you wish your Project or Dissertation to count towards a named specialism you must take one that has been designated as such. A single specialist dissertation within BIO3063 counts as 15 credits. Specialist designation of all modules, projects, dissertations etc. will be confirmed by Biosciences and may be granted, withdrawn or amended by the Biosciences (Streatham) Undergraduate Education Committee. In matters of specialist designation for BSc Biological Sciences with Study Abroad, the decision of the Board of Examiners is final. 6 Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods On successfully completing the programme Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be you will be able to: accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching and evidenced by the following assessment methods: A Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge 1. Explain broadly all levels of biological organisation (molecular, cellular, organismal and ecological). 2. Describe in detail essential facts and theory in at least one subdiscipline of biology (e.g. molecular and cellular biology or organismal biology and ecology), including any subdiscipline named in brackets in the degree title. 3. Describe and critically evaluate aspects of current research in the biosciences with reference to reviews and research articles. Learning and Teaching activities (in/out of class) Within the programme, teaching and learning activities are designed to encourage a progressive acquisition of subject knowledge and skills by moving from study methods that have a greater degree of support and assistance towards more independent learning. The programme uses a diversity of teaching and learning methods: lectures; laboratory classes; research project or dissertation; group work and may optionally include a residential field course. Typically a 15 credit module would consist of x 1 hour lectures in which the core subject material will be provided. The lecture notes will be available via the University of Exeter Virtual Learning Environment and references to outside reading will be made available. Laboratory classes will normally run for either 3 or 5 hours and students will be provided with a written schedule describing in detail the experimental procedures. Students will normally work in groups (2-5 individuals depending on Stage) with an expectation the workload is divided equally. Some laboratory classes form the basis of assessment and require the submission of a final laboratory report. This will normally require data analysis in the form of tables and graphs. There is also an expectation that the data generated will be used in some subsequent calculations. Discussion of the findings or answers to short questions will be used to provide evidence of knowledge gained. The Stage 3 research project will normally take place in the 1st term where the student will undertake a project in a research group followed by production of a written report in the 2nd term; alternatively one dissertation will be written in each of terms 1 and 2. Assessment Methods 4

5 The programme uses a diversity of assessment methods such as: essay examinations; short answer and multiple choice tests (MCQ); practical work and reports; quantitative (numerical) problems; project report or dissertation; oral presentations. B Academic Discipline Core skills and Knowledge 4. With limited guidance, deploy established techniques of analysis, practical investigation, and enquiry within the biological sciences. Learning and Teaching activities (in/out of class) See above. Assessment Methods The programme uses a diversity of assessment methods such as: essay examinations; short answer and multiple choice tests (MCQ); practical work and reports; quantitative (numerical) problems; project report or dissertation; oral presentations. C Personal/ Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge 5. Communicate ideas effectively and professionally by written, oral and visual means. 6. Study autonomously and undertake projects with minimum guidance. 7. Select and properly manage information drawn from books, journals, and the internet. 8. Interact effectively in a group. Learning and Teaching activities (in/out of class) See above. Assessment Methods The programme uses a diversity of assessment methods such as: essay examinations; short answer and multiple choice tests (MCQ); practical work and reports; quantitative (numerical) problems; project report or dissertation; oral presentations. 7 Programme Regulations Credit The programme consists of 360 credits with 120 credits taken at each stage. We would normally advise you to take an even balance of 60 credits in each term; exceptionally you may be permitted to take credits in an asymmetric pattern (45 in one term and 75 in the other term). In total, students normally take no more than 120 credits at level 4, and must take at least 90 credits at level 6. Progression You can progress to the next stage (or in the final year, proceed to the award of an honours degree) once at least 90 credits have been passed in a stage, and provided that an average of at least 40% has been achieved over the 120 credits of assessment for that stage. Condonement is the process that allows you to pass a stage should you fail to achieve the required number of credits in any stage. You are required to achieve 120 credits in each stage of the programme. You must have achieved an average mark of at least 40% across the 120 credits of assessment including the marks for any failed and condoned modules. You will not be allowed reassessment in the condoned credit. Up to 30 credits of failure can be condoned in a stage. However, you must pass the modules marked with a 'Yes' in the 'noncondonable' column in the tables above. The pass mark for these modules is 40%. Assessment and Awards Assessment at Stage 1 does not contribute to the summative classification of the award. The award will normally be based on the degree mark formed from the credit weighted average marks for stages 2 and 3 combined in the ratio 1:2, respectively. 5

6 Classification The marking of modules and the classification of awards broadly corresponds to the following percentage marks: Class I 70% + Class II Division I 60-69% Class II Division II 50-59% Class III 40-49% Full details of assessment regulations for UG programmes can be found in the Teaching Quality Assurance Manual (TQA) on the University of Exeter website. Generic marking criteria are also published here. Please see the Teaching and Quality Assurance Manual for further guidance. 8 College Support for Students and Students Learning Biosciences offers every student meetings each term with a personal tutor and an academic tutor. The role of academic tutors is to instil a sense of academic rigour and thinking in our students. The role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff. The Biosciences website/fileserver includes the student handbook and learning materials. Every student has access to computers and printers within Biosciences. Each student can expect reasonable access to all teaching staff through appointments. The Biosciences Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students and staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision. ELE: All modules will have ELE pages. ELE is the University of Exeter's online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It provides an online set of integrated tools to support e-learning activities and enables students to access course materials and use tools such as Discussion Forums and Quizzes to interact online. 9 University Support for Students and Students Learning The following units at Exeter between them provide a wide range of student support services: Learning Resources At Exeter, the University Library maintains its principal collections in the main library buildings on the Streatham and St Luke's campuses, together with a number of specialist collections in certain Colleges. The total Library collection comprises over a million volumes and 3000 current periodical subscriptions. IT Services provide a wide range of services throughout the Exeter campuses including open access computer rooms, some of which are available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Helpdesks are maintained on the Streatham and St Luke's campuses, while most study bedrooms in halls and flats are linked to the University's campus network. Student Counselling Service - available free of charge, to provide confidential help and support. Student Health Centre. Study Skills Service - can provide one-to-one guidance and information on all aspects of academic study and skills. Family Centre (Streatham campus) provides high quality care and education for early-years children of students and staff. Student Advice Centre (Guild of Students, first floor, Devonshire House) is your first port of call for free, impartial and confidential advice on a range of issues: housing, finance, and academic matters. Students Guild: is the students' union of the University of Exeter. Student complaints procedure. Chaplaincy - here to support and encourage students from Christian and non-christian faiths. The International Student Support Office supports non UK students across all University of Exeter campuses. INTO University of Exeter partnership provides English Language and other preparatory courses for international students. 6

7 AccessAbility (Previously called the Disability Resource Centre [DRC]. The University is committed to supporting disabled students, staff and visitors on all its campuses. AccessAbility aims to provide advice, guidance, signposting to other services and, in some cases, face-to-face assistance. Employability and Graduate Development has over 40 staff working to help you improve your chances of getting a great job after you graduate. They provide expert advice to enable you to plan your future, through guidance interviews, psychometric testing, employer presentations, skills events, practice job interviews and CV preparation. 10 Admission Criteria All applications are considered individually on merit. The University is committed to an equal opportunities policy with respect to gender, age, race, sexual orientation and/or disability when dealing with applications. It is also committed to widening access to higher education to students from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience. Candidates must satisfy the general admissions requirements of the University of Exeter. Offers are made on the basis of the UCAS form; interviews are usually only for mature and non-a Level applicants. Biosciences offers an Open Day for interested applicants. Complete and up-to-date information on entry requirements for Biosciences is found on the University of Exeter Undergraduate Study website For further information about the typical offer please refer to the University of Exeter Undergraduate Applications website: Biosciences will consider sensitively and sympathetically any application from disabled or widening participation applicants. All teaching and examination materials (including the University of Exeter virtual learning environment ELE) will be prepared according current university guidelines to facilitate accessibility. 11 Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures. The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details. Biosciences undertakes annual review of all its programmes and modules. Assessment procedures and marking criteria are available for all students on the Biosciences website/fileserver: students are referred to these resources in the student handbook. 12 Indicators of Quality and Standards This programme is recognised by the Society of Biology which guarantees to students that it meets the educational requirements for Associate Membership of the Society of Biology upon graduation (AMSB) and provide a route to full Membership (MSB) following appropriate professional experience. 13 Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards 7

8 The University and its constituent Colleges draw on a range of data to review the quality of educational provision. The College documents the performance in each of its taught programmes, against a range of criteria on an annual basis through the Annual Programme Monitoring cycle: Admissions, progression and completion data. In Year Analysis data. Previous monitoring report. Monitoring of core (and optional) modules. External examiner s reports and University and College responses (reported to SSLC). Any Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body/accrediting body or other external reports. Consultation with employers and former students. Staff evaluation. Student evaluation. Programme aims. Subject areas are reviewed every five years through a periodic subject review scheme that includes external contributions. 14 Awarding Institution University of Exeter 15 Lead College/Teaching Institution College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Biosciences 16 Partner College(s)/ institution Not applicable 17 Programme accredited/validated by Not applicable 18 Final Award(s) Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc Hons) 19 UCAS Code (UG programmes) C NQF Level of Final Award(s): 6 21 Credit (CATS and ECTS) 360 CATS (180 ECTS) 22 QAA Subject Benchmarking Group (UG and PGT programmes) Biosciences 23 Origin Date: March 2011 Last Date of Revision: 7 March