BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences

This module will introduce you to the study of cellular and organismal biology at an intermediate level. You will learn to appreciate the similarities and differences in the cell biology and physiology of living organisms. This is taught by an introduction to common components/organelles in plant, animal and microbial cells; followed by a comparison of a range of biological themes such as reproduction, osmoregulation, stress responses etc in these organisms. The final section of the module deals with ecological aspects of plant, animal and microbial life, related to the cellular and physiological themes/topics introduced earlier in the module.

An intermediate level study of the molecular aspects of living organisms, with particular reference to: The biochemistry of the major metabolic pathways; The biosynthesis of macromolecules; The nature of genetic material, DNA structure and replication, and how this contributes to disease; RNA transcription and translation; Molecular biology techniques; Bioenergetics, glycolysis, the TCA cycle, oxidative phosphorylation and electron transfer, lipid metabolism and nucleic acid metabolism will be major biochemical themes.

This module will give you extensive practical experience in subject areas related to molecular bioscience and biochemistry. These will include the use of biochemical and recombinant DNA technology methods. Molecular Biology The purpose is to introduce you to the basic techniques of molecular biology related to the manipulation manipulations using a range of DNA modifying enzymes.You will amplify a human gene by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). You will insert DNA (a gene) into a plasmid vector (by ligation) and transform this vector into E. coli host cells and select for the ampicillin resistance markers carried by these molecules using aseptic technique. Relationships between plasmid molecular mass and transformation efficiency will be determined. Techniques will be employed to isolate plasmid molecules from their microbial hosts. You will employ restriction enzymes to precisely cleave bacteriophage and plasmid DNA. Agarose gel electrophoresis will be used to visualise DNA molecules, produce calibration graphs and estimate sizes of unknown molecules.   Biochemistry This component of the module will introduce you to the types of techniques within biochemistry that are based upon separation of biomolecules from complex mixtures, a recurring theme in biochemistry.  You will understand the range of analysis that can be derived form application of such techniques and their limitations. You will purify peptides by column ion exchange, estimate relative molecular mass of proteins using SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis Separate nucleotides by agerose gel electrophoresis,   “Mini projects” In the final 2 weeks you will design your own experiment to analyse a molecule generated earlier in the module. This will involve experimental design, planning and preparation before carrying out the procedures and analysing your results. 

To enable students to have knowledge and comprehension of the anatomy and physiology of the human body systems.

This module will explore how captivity in its various forms influences animal behaviour. It will also explore how different approaches can be adopted to manipulate and manage behaviour in captive animals.

Behavioural ecology aims to interpret animal behaviour within its evolutionary framework. This module examines the relationships between behaviour, ecology and evolution. The factors that affect foraging behaviour, reproductive behaviour and social interactions in animals will be explored.

This module examines the relationship of protein structure to function through the various levels of organisation of proteins, how proteins are purified and analysed and how this information relates to the function of proteins, the mechanisms of enzyme action and how this relates to control of metabolism. Methods for the analysis of enzyme kinetics and inhibition are investigated and the concepts of allostery and cooperativity are discussed. Membrane structure and the function of membrane transport proteins will also be discussed. The relationship of enzyme regulation to control of metabolism, using selected metabolic pathways will also be discussed. The module requires a numerical ability and knowledge of chemical structures.

This module will explore in greater depth the science of scarcity and diversity and the successful management of wildlife populations and metapopulations for conservation.

The concept of evolution is central to the understanding of biology. We present the development of the theory of evolution from Darwin, through its subsequent refinements due to other scientific developments, to the modern synthetic theory. The principles of the scientific method are presented and illustrated with evolutionary examples. The origin of life, the evolution of humans, the extinction of species and the impact of evolutionary theory on society at large are discussed We will introduce developmental biology with a focus on explaining how experimental investigation has led to our understanding of embryological development in different animal species.

This module introduces students to the principles of research methods used in physiological experimentation; experimental design, ethical implications, health and safety considerations, data collection and presentation, statistic analyses and report writing. Then, within a physiology laboratory setting and in the context of performing experiments in key areas on human physiology, the module gives students experience of research methods and experimental techniques in physiology, introduces the concepts of experimental research design, ethical and health and safety implications, and analysis and assessment of research outcomes. Further, students will gain knowledge, understanding and experience of scientific report writing, which supports achievement in study at higher levels. Supplementary information and documentation relating to the practical classes is available on the university VLE platform.

This module will consider the theoretical and practical aspects of sample analysis for disease diagnosis in the medical microbiology laboratory within pathology and as a discipline within biomedical science.

The Honours Project module will give you the opportunity to undertake an extended, problem-focused, original investigation related to your overall programme of study and is a requirement for the award of Honours. The Project will provide you with a choice based on your interests, modules studied previously, staff expertise and physical resources within the School. The project must be approved for safety, ethics, cost, feasibility and relevance to your degree programme before you carry out any practical work. The project module will test your ability to develop successfully (a) the formulation of a Project design and specification, (b) an assessment of hazards, risk assessment and required safety procedures, (c) ethical considerations, where appropriate, (d) a survey of published literature and other source materials, (e) the execution of the Project objectives, (f) an independent programme of fieldwork, laboratory or other practical study, (g) progress presentation(s) on key stages and (h) the preparation of a written Dissertation and/or other suitable and equivalent submission of the Project outcomes. Students would normally register and gain approval for their chosen project title towards the end of Level 5 study. Students normally undertake practical work during semester 1 & early semester 2 of the final year of study. Anyone with special needs affecting their study or ability to participate in the module must inform the University support services and module leader / supervisor at the earliest opportunity.

This module aims to explore the fundamental systems involved in Human Physiology and to introduce current, up-to-date theories which underpin these systems. You will receive weekly lectures/tutorials, relating to the research specialism of the staff on the module. Lecture/tutorial material will be available on the university online platform.

This level 6 module will cover theoretical aspects but dwell heavily on the practical application of basic and advanced biotechniques to solve problems in agriculture, medicine, crime investigation and environmental protection. The module will also teach basic skills in research report writing and communication

A module which contextualises student understanding of human physiology in the fields of pathology, medicine and research.

This module aims to embed the key knowledge about gene and genome structure. It will describe the use of fundamental techniques such as PCR and sequencing. It will then explain how the latest bioinformatic techniques can be used to study genetic elements. Computer based tools used to aid gene manipulation will be analysed. Key bioinformatic topics will be database searching, sequence retrieval, BLAST, translation, protein analysis, phylogenetics, restriction maps and PCR primer design. Applications to pharmacogenomics will be discussed.

The module takes an in-depth look at the issues surrounding the conservation of aquatic vertebrates, ranging from fish through to cetaceans and pinnepeds. Both saline and freshwater environments will be examined. The module will focus on biodiversity issues, causes of population decline and methods to assess and conserve aquatic populations.

This module will provide students with a broad introduction to developmental biochemistry/ biology. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of inter and intra cellular signaling and the regulation of gene expression in generating cell differences in the embryo. Regulation of cell differentiation in model organisms will be covered. Methodologies used to elucidate the mechanism of development will be discussed. The relevance of developmental biology to the study of human disease will be exemplified throughout. Teaching will take place in a formal lecture environment, supplemented by online formative assessment.

Clinically important microorganisms will be studied using a body system based approach. Examples of infectious diseases in the respiratory tract, genitourinary and gastrointestinal tracts, skin, blood and central nervous system will be reviewed. Aetiology, pathogenic mechanisms, clinical presentation, and treatment for selected medically important microbial pathogens will be investigated.

Description Biotechnology concerns the industrial processing of materials by microorganisms or cultured tissue cells to make useful products (such as antibiotics, vaccines, enzymes, insulin ) or serve other useful purposes (such as bioremediation, food processing). The theme of this module is well summarised by the following quotation from Richard P. Elander (1985): ‘Biotechnology is the integration of a number of scientific disciplines including microbiology, genetics, biochemistry and chemical engineering. It uses living organisms, or systems or products from these organisms to make or modify useful products. New biotechnology comprises genetic engineering, protoplast fusion and monoclonal antibody techniques, powerful new “tools” designed to generate efficient bioprocesses and products for the industry.’ The module considers the range and variety of biotechnology processes which involve the use of microorganisms and focuses in particular on explaining microbiological aspects of these processes.

The objective of this module is to introduce the student to current and future applications of plant biotechnology in basic and applied plant sciences/agriculture. Topics covered will include conventional plant breeding, plant tissue and cell culture, plant transformation and regeneration, use of Arabidopsis thaliana as a model system and the use of bioinformatics in the characterisation of plant genes and gene products.