Programme Specification for the 2023/4 academic year
BSc (Hons) Biochemistry
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | BSc (Hons) Biochemistry | Programme code | UFS3BIOBIO03 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Full Time Part Time |
Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Campus(es) | Streatham (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 6 (Honours) |
2. Description of the Programme
The BSc (Hons) Biochemistry programme is aimed at understanding biological systems at a molecular level. After a foundation first year, which covers the range of biochemistry from organic chemistry to microbiology and cell biology, you have more freedom of module choice in your second and final years. The many optional modules allow you to shape your degree as you wish while still keeping a strong biochemical core. This Biochemistry degree leads to career opportunities in biotechnological, pharmaceutical and other industries, as well as many further study options.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
The general aims of this programme are:
To provide education intended to give you competence in Biochemistry, 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:
- To provide you with knowledge and understanding of biochemistry from the fundamentals to the frontiers of the subject.
- 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 biochemical research.
- To enable you to think critically, evaluate evidence, analyse, challenge, solve problems, work collaboratively, and communicate effectively.
- To enable you to experience a supportive learning environment that fosters your academic and personal development.
4. Programme Structure
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.
https://biosciences.exeter.ac.uk/current/modules/
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 Biosciences website:
You may take elective modules up to 30 credits outside of the programme in the second or final years 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.
You are also permitted to take the five, ten or 15 credit Professional Development Experience modules BIO3910, BIO3911 or BIO3912 in the second or final years. Registration on these modules is subject to a competitive application process. If taken, these modules will not count towards progression or award calculation.
Stage 1
120 credits of compulsory modules
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO1332 | Biochemistry | 15 | No |
| BIO1333 | Fundamental Principles for Bioscientists | 15 | Yes |
| BIO1334 | Genetics | 15 | No |
| BIO1337 | Microbiology | 15 | No |
| BIO1339 | Cells | 15 | No |
| BIO1345 | Structure and Reactivity of Organic Compounds I | 15 | Yes |
| BIO1347 | General Chemistry | 30 | No |
Stage 2
75 credits of compulsory modules, 45 credits of optional modules
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO2071 | Research Skills and Bioethics | 15 | Yes |
| BIO2085 | Structure and Reactivity of Organic Compounds II | 15 | No |
| BIO2086 | Metabolism | 15 | No |
| BIO2088 | Advanced Cell Biology | 15 | No |
| BIO2090 | Analytical Techniques in Biochemistry | 15 | No |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BioS S2 BSc-MSci Biochem opt 2023-4 | |||
| BIO2066 | Forensic Science | 15 | No |
| BIO2089 | Molecular Biology of the Gene | 15 | No |
| BIO2091 | Bioinorganic Chemistry | 15 | No |
| BIO2092 | Genomics and Introductory Bioinformatics | 15 | No |
| BIO2093 | Modern Theories of Evolution | 15 | No |
| BIO2099 | Molecular Plant Science | 15 | No |
| BIO2101 | Advanced Microbiology | 15 | No |
| BIO2106 | Employability and Workplace Learning | 15 | No |
| CSC2004 | Medical Genetics | 15 | No |
| CSC2005 | Introduction to Pharmacology | 15 | No |
| CSC2026 | The Biology of Cancer | 15 | No |
| CSC2027 | Experimental Pharmacology | 15 | No |
Stage 3
75 credits of compulsory modules, 45 credits of optional modules
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO3096 | Biosciences Research Project | 45 | Yes |
| BIO3085 | Horizons of Biochemical Research | 15 | No |
| BIO3093 | Energy Metabolism | 15 | No |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BioS SF BSc-S3 MSci Biochem opt 2022-3 | |||
| BIO3041 | Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry | 15 | No |
| BIO3046 | Frontiers in Plant Biology | 15 | No |
| BIO3073 | Specialist Topics in Chemical Sciences | 15 | No |
| BIO3077 | Frontiers in Molecular Cell Biology | 15 | No |
| BIO3082 | Science Communication | 15 | No |
| BIO3086 | Cell Biology of Disease | 15 | No |
| BIO3089 | Organic Synthesis and Drug Design | 15 | No |
| BIO3090 | Secondary Metabolites | 15 | No |
| BIO3092 | Bioinformatics | 15 | No |
| BIO3058 | Beyond the Frontiers of Medical Mycology | 15 | No |
| BIO3059 | Molecular Biology of Bacterial Infection | 15 | No |
| BIO3078 | Cellular Basis of Immunity | 15 | No |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Demonstrate broadly based knowledge and understanding in the biochemical and cellular levels of biological organisation. | 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; group work. Typically a 15 credit module would consist of 15-20 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. You 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 you will undertake a project in a research group followed by production of a written report in the 2nd term. If the project is literature-based, you will normally receive feedback on a draft report before production of the written report in the 2nd term. | 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; oral presentations. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
4. With limited guidance, deploy established techniques of analysis, practical investigation, and enquiry within the subject of biochemistry. | See above. | See above. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
5. Communicate ideas effectively and professionally by written, oral and visual means. | See above. | See above. |
7. Programme Regulations
Programme-Specific Rules
While BIO2085 is condonable to allow progression, any student wishing to undertake a laboratory-based chemistry project at Stage 3 must pass BIO2085 at Stage 2. This is to ensure that only those students with the necessary skills, knowledge and confidence undertake laboratory-based chemistry research at Stage 3. Any student who fails BIO2085 will be offered a wide range of alternative projects, including non-laboratory-based (theoretical) chemistry projects and laboratory-based projects in other (non-chemistry) subject areas.
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
You will be allocated a personal tutor for the duration of your studies. Their role is to both instil in you a sense of academic rigour and thinking, and to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme. This includes working with you to decide the appropriate optional module choices, and research project areas, and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. Project supervisors provide further academic and tutorial support once you move on to the research component(s) of the programme (stages 3 and/or 4). There is also a Programme Director who follows the cohort through to graduation and who will monitor student absences and progress, and meet any students needing additional support. You can also expect reasonable access to individual teaching staff through appointments. The Biosciences website and online Exeter Learning Environment (ELE) includes the student handbook and learning materials, and you have access to computers and printers within the University. You will also have access to the Biosciences external seminar speaker series where leading researchers are invited to give research seminars. The Biosciences Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students and staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
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.
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
BSc (Hons) Biochemistry
19. UCAS Code
C724
20. NQF Level of Final Award
6 (Honours)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | ECTS credits |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
[Honours] Biosciences
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 06/03/2012 |
Date of last revision | 07/07/2022 |
|---|
