University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2020/21 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Life Sciences > School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience > Physiological Science with Study in Industry (MSci) > Specification
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Programme code | 7PYSI003U |
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Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
Lauren Goodhead
|
Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
School/department | School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Relevant QAA subject benchmark groups | Biomedical science (2023) (benchmark statement) |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 4 years (full time) |
The MSci programme in Physiological Science with Study in Industry aims to provide students with a broad knowledge of physiology, ranging from the fundamental principles of membrane biology through to the importance and implications whole body physiology in health and disease. Students will gain an understanding of the processes involved in membrane, cell, tissue and organ function, the control systems involved in homeostasis, sensory and motor systems, and concepts of pathological change. Students will also learn about the overall scope of physiology, such as how failures of normal control processes can result in diseases such as high blood pressure that are of great impact on society. The value of drugs will be illustrated both in the study of physiological processes and for therapeutic benefit. Students will gain early exposure (year 3) to industrial methodologies and to a variety of advanced technologies that are rarely experienced in the university environment. In their final year, students will receive advanced training in current research and in research planning, the latter by assessing and then preparing a research grant proposal. The programme is designed primarily for those students who intend to pursue a career as practising physiologists, carrying out biomedical research in industry or in academia.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Level C: lectures, practical classes working in groups of 2 – 3, small group tutorials, some computer-based and/or web-based resources |
Methods of Assessment | |
Level C: predominantly unseen written examinations (‘best answer of five’ MCQs, ‘best answer of four’ data interpretation, extended matching questions). One coursework essay. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Level C: Principally through practical classes and small group tutorials. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Level C: Coursework essay, practical reports (eBiolabs and written), examination data interpretation questions |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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|
Level C: Lectures, small group tutorials, practicals, seminars, personal tutorials. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Level C: Practical assessments online (eBiolabs), written practical report, coursework essay |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
By the end of their first year, students should be able to use information acquired from textbooks and in lectures, practical classes and tutorials to demonstrate a basic understanding of physiological processes. They should be able to carry out closely supervised practical work, using relevant IT and keyboard skills, and to interpret and manipulate some scientific data. They should have reached a comparable level of competence in their other (usually biomedical) optional units. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
By the end of their second year, students should have begun to develop the ability to synthesise information acquired from original research papers and web-based resources, although the main emphasis is still on formal teaching and textbooks. They should have deepened their knowledge base in physiology, in areas such as the central nervous system, cell biology, and integrated physiology. They should be able to extend worksheet-driven practical work into projects that include some student-led experiments. They should have broadened their IT skills and be able to interpret more complex scientific data. A similar level of competence is required in all their second year units, although one of these can be at a lower level of competence if it involves acquisition of skills/knowledge in a previously unexplored subject. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
In the third year, critical faculties are developed further as source materials consist almost exclusively of research papers, and topics are studied at the current boundaries of knowledge. Students are expected to be able to direct their own study, with some guidance from lecturers, so as to demonstrate in-depth knowledge and critical evaluation of their chosen specialised topics in physiological science. They are expected to have developed the skills necessary to carry out an original project, to contribute to its planning, and to present their conclusions in the form of a research report. They should also be aware of some of the more general techniques and concepts that underpin modern research in the medical sciences. |
Level M/7 - Masters |
In the fourth year, critical faculties are developed further as source materials consist almost exclusively of research papers, and topics are studied at the current boundaries of knowledge. Students are expected to be able to direct their own study, with some guidance from lecturers, so as to demonstrate in-depth knowledge and critical evaluation of their chosen specialised topics in physiological science. They are expected to have developed the skills necessary to formulate a grant application for an original research project in the format required by funding bodies, and to assess such applications. They should also display good awareness of the more general techniques and concepts that underpin modern research in the medical sciences. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
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.
Workload Statement
Success as an undergraduate student depends on you being able to make the transition to self-motivated, independent learning. The programmes offered in the Faculty 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 from staff. But at the heart of your studies at every level there must be regular and disciplined individual reading, reflection and writing, whether in the library or at home. It is this skill of independent studies, above all others, that will serve you best when you leave the University.
Student workloads in the Faculty of Life Sciences are calculated on the assumption that you will work at least an average of 40 hours per week over the academic year. This workload includes all types of activity related to the delivery and assessment of taught units.
A major component of this workload in the early years of your programme is the time that you spend in class, in contact with the teaching staff, which includes lectures, laboratories, tutorials and practical classes. Outside classes you will need to undertake two types of academic activity. One type is that directed by your unit (such as eBiolabs pre- and post-lab quizzes, practical class reports and project work). The other type requires you to pursue self-motivated independent learning in order to build your knowledge and understanding of the subjects you are studying. Such independent activities include reviewing lecture material, reading textbooks and the scientific literature, and revising for examinations. In later years of your programme, timetabled teaching will make up a smaller proportion of your overall workload and you will spend much of your time pursuing independent study.
Wednesday afternoons are set aside for students to engage in extracurricular activities, such as sporting activities. Note also that formal teaching is undertaken on Wednesday mornings, which in some programmes may preclude absences for travelling to sporting events.
You will be expected to work during most University vacations. All students are expected to use the Christmas and Easter holidays to revise for the examinations held in January and May/June, respectively. Should you be unsuccessful in the examinations, you should expect to set aside sufficient time over the summer vacation firstly to consolidate your understanding and then to revise intensively for the resit examinations held in August/September (resit examinations are not available in the final year of BSc programmes). Certain components of the teaching and assessment are mandatory - for details see individual programme regulations.
The Life Sciences BSc programmes conform to the University modular framework where 10 credits represent about 100 hours of student work. We recognise that many students have to take paid employment to fund their studies. In order 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.
Assessment Statement
Please select the following link for a statement about assessment. This is University of Bristol access only.
Study in Industry placements are usually paid. There will be costs for travel and accommodation, and possibly visa and insurance depending on the location of the placement.
All costs depend on the location of the placement.
Dr Lauren Goodhead
Programme Director – Physiological Science
School of Physiology and Pharmacology
Medical Sciences Building
University Walk
Bristol
BS8 1TD
This integrated Masters programme has been designated as type II: Specialised or Advanced Masters in accordance with the QAA Degree Characteristics Statement. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Physiology 1A | PHPH10017 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Physiology 1B | PHPH10018 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Pharmacology 1A | PHPH10003 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Options totalling 60 CP normally chosen from: | ||||
Pharmacology 1B | PHPH10004 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Introduction to Social and Developmental Psychology | PSYC10012 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Introduction to Cognitive and Biological Psychology | PSYC10013 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Biochemistry: Cellular Composition | BIOC10003 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Biochemistry: Cellular Processes | BIOC10004 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Functional Neuroanatomy | PHPH10013 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Introduction to Neuroscience | PHPH10012 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Anatomical Science 1A | ANAT10008 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Anatomical Science 1B | ANAT10009 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Science of Happiness | PSYC10014 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
The following options can also be taken subject to timetabling constraints | ||||
Mathematics 1A20 | MATH11004 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Chemistry IE | CHEM10200 | 40 | Optional | TB-4 |
Big Ideas in Science | CHEM10001 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Biological Chemistry 1A: Molecules of Life | BIOC10001 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Biological Chemistry 1B: Powering Biomolecular Interactions | BIOC10002 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Certificate of Higher Education | 120 |
This integrated Masters programme has been designated as type II: Specialised or Advanced Masters in accordance with the QAA Degree Characteristics Statement. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Neurophysiology | PHPH20009 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Cellular Physiology | PHPH20013 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Integrative Physiology | PHPH20008 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Biomedical Research, Employability and Enterprise Skills | MVSF20001 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Options totalling 40 CP normally chosen from: | ||||
Techniques in Neuroscience | PHPH20007 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Pharmacology of the Nervous System | PHPH20011 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Mechanisms of Drug Action 2B: Pharmacology of Body Systems | PHPH20014 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Human Anatomy: Abdomen, Pelvis and Limbs | ANAT20002 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Human Anatomy: Thorax, Head and Neck | ANAT20003 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Disease and Defence | PANM10002 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Normal and Tumour Cells | PANM12051 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Introduction to Social and Developmental Psychology | PSYC10012 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Introduction to Cognitive and Biological Psychology | PSYC10013 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
The following options can also be taken subject to timetabling constraints | ||||
Pharmacology 1B | PHPH10004 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Big Ideas in Science | CHEM10001 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Molecular Cell Biology | BIOC20001 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Introduction to Teaching English as a Foreign Language | LANG10120 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
Any other Level 1 UWLP (University-Wide Language Programme) unit - 20 credit points. Please see http://www.bristol.ac.uk/sml/study/uwlp/ for more details. | OPEN | 20 | Optional | |
Diploma of Higher Education | 120 |
This integrated Masters programme has been designated as type II: Specialised or Advanced Masters in accordance with the QAA Degree Characteristics Statement. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduction to Industrial study | PHPH30024 | 60 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Study in Industry Project (M level) | PHPHM0012 | 60 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
BSc | 120 |
This integrated Masters programme has been designated as type II: Specialised or Advanced Masters in accordance with the QAA Degree Characteristics Statement. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Advanced Concepts and Skills | PHPHM0011 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Grant Proposal (M level) | PHPHM0010 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Options totalling 60 CP normally chosen from: | ||||
The Rhythms of Life | PHPH30027 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
The Heart in Health & Disease | PHPH30019 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Brain and Behaviour | PHPH30016 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Neuroscience of Pain | PHPH30017 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
New Horizons in Medicine | PHPH30021 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Exercise Physiology in Health and Disease | PHPH30028 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
One of the units below can also contribute 20 credit points to the 60 credit points of optional units available for selection, but you may only take ONE of these options. Availability is subject to timetabling constraints. | ||||
Synaptic plasticity | PHPH30010 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Synaptic Cell Biology | PHPH30022 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Neurological and Psychiatric disorders | PHPH30013 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Pharmacology of ion channels and synaptic transmission | PHPH30002 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Receptor signalling and non-drug therapies | PHPH30003 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Pharmacology of the Nervous System | PHPH30004 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Physiological Science with Study in Industry (MSci) | 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.
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