University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2022/23 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Life Sciences > School of Biochemistry > Biochemistry with Study in Industry (BSc) > Specification
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Programme code | 7BIOC004U |
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Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
Mike Jones
|
Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
School/department | School of Biochemistry |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Relevant QAA subject benchmark groups | Biosciences (2023) (benchmark statement) |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 4 years (full time) |
This section sets out why studying this programme is important, both in terms of inspiring you as an individual and in considering the challenges we face. It describes how this degree programme contributes to:
This programme aims to provide an understanding of life's processes in molecular terms and to produce well informed graduates with a broad range of skills and attitudes appropriate to their future careers. Students will obtain:
- A broad understanding of the principal areas of biochemistry, with opportunities for specialisation in selected topics.
- The intellectual framework for the acquisition and analysis of experimental data.
- Training in a range of key skills, including practical experience of basic and specialised biochemical techniques, in the environment of an active research department.
The learning outcome statements shown below for your programme have been developed with reference to relevant national subject benchmarks (where they exist), national qualification descriptors (see the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) and professional body requirements.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies are listed to show how you will be able to achieve and demonstrate the learning outcomes.
This programme provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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Acquisition of knowledge through lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical classes, web-based resources and directed reading with a strong emphasis on primary materials. Independent learning is achieved through written coursework, directed self education and literary and practical research projects. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
The knowledge base is largely tested through traditional unseen written examinations (which include essay/short note questions and numerical calculations, data analysis and literature comprehensions). Literary and practical projects are separately assed and contribute to the final mark. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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Intellectual skills are developed through lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical classes, web-based resources and directed reading with a strong emphasis on primary materials in the final year. Independent learning is achieved through written coursework, directed self-education and literary and practical research projects. Units are structured in such a way that the skills develop progressively over the programme. A skills map is available which details the allocation of skills to particular units. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
All assessment tasks (written examinations, assessed coursework, laboratory classes and research projects) test powers of analysis, synthesis, problem-solving and evaluation. Practical and literary projects provide an opportunity to assess the integration of these skills within the context of original independent study. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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|
Tutorials are used to develop oral communication by requiring students to engage in discussions and to make oral presentations. Team working is developed in practical classes and projects and in tutorial group projects. Written communication is developed through written assignments, assessed coursework and research projects. Computer/keyboard skills are integral to laboratory work and projects and students are encouraged to produce word-processed written assignments. "Managing knowledge" and "planning and design" are progressively developed as written assignments and projects are undertaken. See the skiils map for further details of the allocation of exercises to units. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
Assessment is primarily through written assignments (examinations, assessed coursework, laboratory write-ups and research projects) that provide evidence of written communication and computer/keyboard skills as well as knowledge management and information retrieval. Oral communication and team working are assessed through formal presentations. |
This section describes what is expected from you at each level of your programme. This illustrates increasing intellectual standards as you progress through the programme. These levels are mapped against the national level descriptors published by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
By the end of their studies at level C, students are expected to be able to demonstrate a sound knowledge of the fundamental principles of some of the core aspects of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and a level of competence in the relevant skills. It is expected that students should be able to relate this basic biochemical knowledge to a more detailed or advanced understanding of the subject later in the programme. The expectation is that their work at this level may require substantial direction from members of staff. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
At level I students are expected to be able to demonstrate that they have expanded the range and depth of their knowledge of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in selected areas. They should also have developed a higher and broader level of competence in the relevant skills and practical techniques. They are expected to be developing a capacity for self-directed learning. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
At level H students are expected to expand the breadth and depth of their knowledge of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology through their study of the core curriculum and specialised options and through their literary and practical research projects. At this level students are expected to be able to demonstrate their capacity for self-directed study using the skills acquired and developed at levels one and two, applying knowledge gained through formal teaching to new and as yet unexplored systems. They should also be able to keep abreast of new and forthcoming developments in biochemistry and in related areas of science. |
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the undergraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
UG Workload Statement
Success as an undergraduate student depends on you being able to make the transition to self-motivated, independent learning. Programmes are designed to assist you in this development, in many cases by starting with units in which timetabled teaching, such as lectures and practical classes, provides the foundations of knowledge and skills in a subject, moving on to individual research-based work. Over time you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your own learning, guided by the feedback on your work that you will receive. At the heart of your studies at every level there must be regular and disciplined individual reading, reflection and writing and it is this skill of independent studies, above all others, that will serve you best when you leave the University.
Most programmes use credits and a 20 credit unit broadly equates to about 200 hours of student input. This includes all activities related to the teaching, learning and assessment of taught units.
A component of this is the time that you spend in class, in contact with the teaching staff, which includes activities such as lectures, laboratories, tutorials and fieldwork. Some of this activity may be online and could consist of activity that is synchronous (using real-time environments such as Blackboard Collaborate) or asynchronous (using tools such as tutor moderated discussion forums, blogs or wikis).
In some programmes there are field courses and/or placements that will take place in concentrated periods of time.
Outside scheduled activities you are expected to pursue your own independent learning to build your knowledge and understanding of the subjects you are studying. Such independent activities include, reviewing lecture material, reading textbooks, working on examples sheets, completing coursework, writing up laboratory notes, preparing for in-class progress tests and revising for examinations.
We recognise that many students undertake paid employment. To achieve a sensible balance between work and study, you are advised to undertake paid work for no more than 15 hours per week in term-time.
Professional Programmes
Many undergraduates in the Faculty of Health Sciences will be following the professional programmes of:
For these professional programmes, full time attendance is compulsory unless absence is formally approved. Academic activities are timetabled throughout the 5-day week and student workload is around 40 hours per week on average. Where possible, students in the early years are permitted Wednesday afternoons for sport and extra-curriculum activities. This may not be available in later years of professional programmes as when a student progresses through the curricula there is an increasing exposure to clinical and professional activities. Students in clinic or on placements may need to stay later than core times of 08.00 – 18.00 or even overnight to observe out-of-hours activities. This increasing exposure to clinical activities means that students on these professional programmes often have longer term dates than the University standard. Individual years within programmes are likely to vary in length (for example because of the timings of placements) and further information on this will be found in individual programme regulations. Another important point to note is that many of the assessments sit outside of the standard University examination timetable and are likely to be more frequent meaning that students will more oftentimes be engaged in revision activities and self-directed learning.
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty Assessment and Feedback Statement for Undergraduate Students. University of Bristol access only.
The year on industrial placements takes place in Year 3. During this year the student is a full-time employee of the industrial organisation and participates in an approved project, under an industrial supervisor. The placement year is assessed on a written report by the student, the industrial supervisor's comments and an oral examination by two examiners from the School of Biochemistry.
All students on this programme will undertake a placement year in the 3rd year of study. They will also be required to attend interviews/recruitment events for potential placements in their 2nd year of study. There may be costs for travel, accommodation, visa and insurance. Costs will depend on the location of the placement/interview.
Dr Mike Jones
School of Biochemistry
Biomedical Sciences Building
University Walk
Bristol BS8 1TD
email: M.R.Jones@bristol.ac.uk
Telephone 0117 3312135
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Biological Chemistry 1A: Molecules of Life | BIOC10001 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Biological Chemistry 1B: Powering Biomolecular Interactions | BIOC10002 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Biochemistry: Cellular Composition | BIOC10003 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Biochemistry: Cellular Processes | BIOC10004 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
40cp of options chosen from the following: | ||||
Fundamentals of Molecular Microbiology | PANM10003 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases | PANM10001 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Normal and Tumour Cells | PANM12051 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Disease and Defence | PANM10002 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Mechanisms of Drug Action | PHPH10015 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Pharmacology 1B | PHPH10004 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Physiology 1A | PHPH10017 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Physiology 1B | PHPH10018 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Certificate of Higher Education | 120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Macromolecular Structure, Dynamics and Function | BIOC20002 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Molecular Cell Biology | BIOC20001 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Recombinant DNA Technology | MOLG22100 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Gene expression and rearrangement | MOLG22200 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Biomedical Research, Employability and Enterprise Skills | MVSF20001 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Units from the following list totalling 20 credit points: | ||||
Infection and Immunity | PANM22041 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Cellular and Molecular Pathology | PANM22042 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Pharmacology of the Nervous System | PHPH20011 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Pharmacology of Body Systems | PHPH20012 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Or another 20 credit points of options normally chosen from the open unit catalogue, subject to availability and timetabling constraints. Choice would exclude PSYC10014 Science of Happiness | ||||
Choose open units | OPEN | 20 | Optional | |
Diploma of Higher Education | 120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Biochemistry Industrial Placement | BIOC25000 | 120 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Advanced Macromolecular Structure and Function | BIOC30004 | 40 | Optional | TB-4 |
Advanced Molecular Cell Biology | BIOC30009 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Research Project | BIOC30007 | 40 | Optional | TB-4 |
Select 20 credit points from the following: | ||||
Topics in Medical Biochemistry | BIOC30005 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Topics in Applied Biochemistry | BIOC30006 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Biochemistry with Study in Industry (BSc) | 120 |
Unit Pass Mark for Undergraduate Programmes:
For details on the weightings for classifying undergraduate degrees, please see the Agreed Weightings, by Faculty, to be applied for the Purposes of Calculating the Final Programme Mark and Degree Classification in Undergraduate Programmes.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
Please refer to the specific progression/award requirements for programmes with a preliminary year of study, the Gateway programmes and International Foundation programmes.
All undergraduate degree programmes allow the opportunity for a student to exit from a programme with a Diploma or Certificate of Higher Education.
Integrated Master's degrees may also allow the opportunity for a student to exit from the programme with an equivalent Bachelor's degree where a student has achieved 360 credit points, of which 90 must be at level 6, and has successfully met any additional criteria as described in the programme specification.
The opportunities for a student to exit from one of the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry with an Award is outlined in the relevant Programme Regulations (which are available as an annex in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes).
An Ordinary degree can be awarded if a student has successfully completed at least 300 credits with a minimum of 60 credits at Level 6.
The pass mark for the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine and Dentistry is 50 out of 100. The classification of a degree in the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry is provided in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
University of Bristol,
Senate House,
Tyndall Avenue,
Bristol, BS8 1TH, UK
Tel: +44 (0)117 928 9000