Date of Revision Date of Previous Revision 30/06/15 Programme Specification (2015-16) 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 BSc Honours Biochemistry Final Award (exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes) Programme Code BCM-BSC-S UCAS Code Criteria for Admissions (Please see General Regulations) Mode of Study (Full-time, Part-time, other) Type of Programme BSc Single Honours Biochemistry C700 JACS Code BSc C700 For current general University entry requirements for this programme go to http://www.qub.ac.uk/ado FT Length of Programme Three years Total Credits for Programme 360 CATS Awarding Institution/Body Teaching Institution School/Department Framework for Higher Education Qualification Level http://www.qaa.ac.uk/publications/informationan dguidance Queen s University Belfast Queen s University Belfast School of Biological Sciences Level 6 QAA Benchmark Group http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuringstandardsandqualit y/subject-guidance/pages/subject-benchmarkstatements Collaborative Organisation and form of Collaboration (if applicable) Accreditations (PSRB) ATAS Clearance N/A Not required Biosciences (Hons) N/A Date of next scheduled accreditation visit
External Examiner Name: Professor Panos Soultanas External Examiner Institution/Organisation School of Chemistry The University of Nottingham Room CBS/A13 Centre for Biomolecular Sciences (CBS) University Park Nottingham NG7 2RD Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations (Please see General Regulations) Programme Specific Regulations Students with protected characteristics Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations (Please see General Regulations) Yes No (If yes, please state here any exemptions to regulations which have been approved for this programme) n/a.the programme does not contain barriers to access or progression among protected groups. Please indicate No Fitness to Practise programmes are those which permit students to enter a profession which is itself subject to Fitness to Practise rules
Educational Aims of Programme On completion of the programme the student will be able to: Please list below the overarching aims and objectives of the programme. The overall aim of the programme is to provide a broad-based, high quality, learning and teaching environment that gives students the opportunity to: Acquire a basic knowledge of the theories and concepts and a practical experience of the techniques of biochemistry; Develop a wider appreciation of the biosciences; Develop and enhance their knowledge and understanding of the principles and techniques of the major sub-divisions of biochemistry Develop the intellectual, personal and team skills necessary for the world of employment and further study. Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills On the completion of this course successful students will Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Methods of Assessment be able to: Demonstrate ability in quantitative analysis and interpretation of experimental data. Solve problems based on numerical or verbal data or a mixture of the two Demonstrate critical reasoning Demonstrate ability to reliably record and process experimental data Proficiently use IT for data management and presentation Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills On the completion of this course successful students will be able to demonstrate: Good oral communication and presentation skills Specific classes in BSC1009 require the use of IT; thereafter the appropriate use of IT in the molecular bioscience is embedded in the theory and practical teaching in all modules. The research project, BBC3025 requires an extended write-up and data analysis for which students are trained by supervisors. Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies BSC1009: training and practice in oral presentations BBC3025: Seminar on research project (guidance Continuous assessment exercises in BSC1009; Laboratory reports, project (dissertation) report. Methods of Assessment Peer and staff assessment of seminars in BSC1009; research project talks assessed in
from supervisors given) BBC3025. Ability to communicate coherently and accurately in writing Time management and planning Capacity to learn through independent study Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding On the completion of this course successful students will be able to: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: the structure, biological function and biosynthesis of proteins, polysaccharides and nucleic acids the major metabolic pathways in eukaryotes and prokaryotes, and their control Written assignments and or examinations are required on all modules. Students receive feedback on written work. Time management is required in all practical classes and the project. In practical classes, academic staff and postgraduate demonstrators assist students with time management. Throughout the whole programme the ethos is one of working independently with learning resources through independent study. All modules have set texts and/or reading lists of scientific papers etc which students are encouraged to study in their own time. Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The learning and teaching of the core subject matter is achieved via modular lecture courses reinforced by laboratory practical exercises, directed reading and a final year research project. Practical reports; essays; written examinations; project report Practical work for BBC3025 is directly assessed by the supervisor and includes an element of time management. While not generally directly assessed in practical classes, good time management is often critical to successful completion of practical work. Written examinations and continuously assessed essays require additional material (ie not in lecture notes etc) for the highest marks. Methods of Assessment Practical reports; essays; written examinations; project report; class tests the role of lipids, hormones and signalling pathways in regulating cell function The chemical and physical principles underpinning biochemical separation methods, enzyme catalysis, biomolecular structure determination Recombinant DNA technology and protein engineering Biochemical aspects of human disease and nutrition Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific Skills On the completion of this course successful students will be able to Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Methods of Assessment
Ability to comprehend the scientific literature relating to Biochemistry and integrate information there from Carry out routine and investigative work in a biochemical laboratory Comply with health and safety regulations Interrogate and exploit bibliographic and bioinformatic databases Skills in the analysis and interpretation of biochemical 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. Laboratory skills are taught in practical classes associated with L1 and l2 modules and in the final year research project. Students are instructed about safety protocols relating to practical work and prepare risk assessments as part of their research project. Students are encouraged to engage with scientific literature from Stage 1. Several modules have continuous assessment exercises which require engagement with literature and/or bioinformatics. Final year research projects require independent use of a wide range of scientific literature. 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. Practical reports; project report; practical mark for project work Not directly assessed, but student failing to comply with health and safety regulations may be excluded from classes and consequently fail practical assignments. Continuous assessment of exercises requiring engagement with literature or bioinformatics. Project report. Examinations (use of appropriate scientific literature will be rewarded).
Programme Requirements Module Title Module Code Level/ stage Credits Availability Duration Pre-requisite Assessment S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Examination % Stage 1: Students must take the compulsory modules (120 CATS) listed below. Students who wish to study for the degree of BSc Honours in Biochemistry with Mathematics may substitute a Level 1 Mathematics module (20 CATS) for BSC1009. Genetics and Molecular Biology GEN1005 1 20 CATS 12 weeks None 30% 70% Introductory Skills for the Biosciences BSC1009 1 20 CATS 12 weeks None 30% Paper 49% Computer 21% Basic Chemistry 1 CHM1001 1 20 CATS 12 weeks None 40% 60% Biochemistry BCH1002 1 20 CATS 12 weeks None 30% 70% Structure, Reactivity and CHM1004 1 20 CATS 12 weeks A level chemistry 25% 75% Mechanism in Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry Microorganisms MCB1006 1 20 CATS 12 weeks None 30% 70% Stage 2: Students must take the compulsory modules (100 CATS) listed below and one other module (20 CATS) which it is recommended should be selected from the elective modules listed below. Enzymology CHM2009 2 20 CATS 12 weeks BCH1002 or 30% 70% GEN1005 Biochemical Methods BBC2015 2 20 CATS 12 weeks None 25% 75% Mammalian Biochemistry BBC2008 2 20 CATS 12 weeks None 25% 75% Microbial Metabolism and BBC2010 2 20 CATS 12 weeks None 25% 75% Physiology Molecular Genetics BBC2010 2 20 CATS 12 weeks None 25% 75% Virology VMI2001 2 20 CATS 12 weeks None 25% 75% Work Placement ALU2012 2 20 CATS 10 None 100% workshops and 16 week placement Genetic Systems BBC2020 2 20 CATS 12 weeks None 25% 75% Stage 3: Students must take the compulsory modules (120 CATS) listed below. Students who wish to study for the degree of BSC Honours in Biochemistry with Mathematics may substitute a Level 3 Mathematics module (20 CATS) module for one of: BBC3034, BBC3046, BBC3031 or BBC3045. Research Project BBC3025 3 40 CATS 24 weeks None 100% Biomolecular Structure BBC3034 3 20 CATS 12 weeks None 100% Genetic Manipulation and BBC3046 3 20 CATS 12 weeks BBC2012 20% 80% Biotechnology Cell Signalling BBC3031 3 20 CATS 12 weeks None 20% 80% Biochemical Basis of Disease BBC3045 3 20 CATS 12 weeks None 20% 80% Approved by Director of Education:
Print Name: Dr David Timson Signature:.. Date: 30/06/2015