3. Programme Learning Outcomes
3.1 Knowledge and Understanding
On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the following areas:
K1 Key subject specific terminology, nomenclature, conventions and units;
K2 The fundamental experimental techniques which inform the discipline;
K3 Some major issues currently at the frontiers of research and development;
K4 Safety, risk, hazard and ethics assessment as relevant to the discipline;
K5 The main types of biological reaction and the key chemical characteristics associated with them;
K6 The complexity of biological phenomena and how this is associated with evolutionary theory;
K7 The diversity of structure in biology and the interrelationship between structure and function;
K8 The rules of inheritance as governed and influenced by the structure of DNA;
K9 Cellular types and key stages of cellular metabolism;
K10 The association between societal developments and biological advances with an emphasis on the ethical landscape of biology;
K11 The principles and methods used in understanding life and its relationship to health;
K12 The link between cellular and molecular changes and physiological adaptation in health and disease;
K13 Fundamental laws underpinning physiological function and adaptation;
Additional knowledge and understanding at Part D:
K14 A systematic and comprehensive understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at the forefront of scientific research;
K15 Knowledge and awareness of the accepted norms and professional expectations associated with the generation and publication of scientific results;
3.2 Skills and other attributes
a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to:
C1 Apply their knowledge and understanding of essential facts, key concepts, principles and theories to solve problems and debate critical issues within the subject area;
C2 Identify and analyse novel scientific problems and plan strategies for their solution, and apply acquired knowledge and understanding to inform individual research;
C3 Solve quantitative and qualitative problems and collate, evaluate and interpret scientific information and data;
C4 Research, justify and critically evaluate scientific material and arguments in a coherent and organised way appropriately adapted to the audience;
Additional subject specific cognitive skills at Part D:
C5 Select appropriate research and enquiry strategies to solve complex problems or problems with incomplete data;
C6 Demonstrate advanced analytical thinking skills and be able to handle complex information in a structured and systematic way;
C7 Critically evaluate current research, appropriate to the speciality;
b. Subject-specific practical skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to:
P1 Apply a broad range of practical investigative techniques including data collection, data analysis, statistical evaluation, hypotheses formulating and testing, current contextualisation and external referencing and validation;
P2 Record, describe and critically evaluate data sets;
P3 Extract, manipulate and interpret data from scientific databases;
P4 Handle materials safely by taking into account their physical and inherent material properties, e.g. biological activity or chemical hazards;
P5 Conduct standard laboratory procedures including the operation of standard instrumentation for the analysis of materials and recording of results;
P6 Appropriately, monitor, record and document events and changes by observation and measurement;
P7 Plan, design and execute practical investigations from the problem recognition stage, to the selection of appropriate techniques and procedures, through to the evaluation and appraisal of the results and findings;
P8 Conduct thorough hazard/risk assessments associated with scientific investigations covering the materials, equipment and laboratory/field environment and comply with relevant ethical approval procedures for working with humans, human tissue samples, and mammalian cell culture;
Additional subject specific practical skills at Part D
P9 Apply appropriate research techniques to develop new insights to investigate and solve problems;
P10 Explain experimental results in terms of a broad range of theoretical mechanisms and concepts;
c. Key transferable skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to:
T1 Apply numeracy and computational skills including error analysis, order of magnitude estimations, correct use of units and modes of data presentation;
T2 Generate, organise, analyse and interpret quantitative, numerical, statistical and other forms of data effectively;
T3 Select and apply appropriate technology from the range available to collate, present and evaluate results and ideas to a professional standard;
T4 Work independently to solve problems, find alternative solutions, reach end goals and evaluate outcomes;
T5 Deploy critical judgements and evaluations to arrive at supported conclusions;
T6 Effectively manage time and effort in the organisation of work to ensure independent and pragmatic learning;
T7 Work effectively in a team by co-operating and negotiating with peers, making decisions and resolving issues, difficulties and conflicts, as applicable;
T8 Communicate in a variety of formats, both written and oral;
Additional transferable skills at Part D
T9 Exercise initiative and demonstrate personal responsibility including in the making of decisions;
T10 Demonstrate an advanced ability to handle and interpret complex information in a structured and systematic way;
T11 Develop the independent learning skills required for continued professional development and lifelong learning;
T12 Understand and be able to interrogate and apply a variety of theoretical and interpretive positions and be able to weigh the importance of alternative perspectives.
5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award
For BSc
In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX and Regulation XI for programmes with DPS and DIntS (if applicable).
For MSci
In order to progress from Part A to B, from Part B to either Part I or Part C, from Part C to Part D and to be eligible for the award of an Extended Honours degree, candidates must achieve 120 credits and an average mark of 50% at each part.
Candidates who, after reassessment, fail to achieve this mark at Part C will not progress to Part D, but may, at the discretion of the Examiners, be eligible for consideration for the award of BSc with a classification based on the candidate’s performance in Parts B and C and determined on the basis of the Part weightings for the BSc programme (40:60).
Candidates who, after reassessment, fail to qualify for the award of Extended Honours Degree in Part D may, at the discretion of the Examiners, be awarded a BSc with a classification based on the candidate’s performance in Parts B and C and determined on the basis of the Part weightings for the BSc programme (40:60).
Subject to the exception specified below, provision will be made in accordance with Regulation XX for candidates who have the right of re-assessment in any Part of the programme to undergo re-assessment in the University's Special Assessment Period (SAP).
Candidates who have accumulated fewer than 60 credits in any Part of the programme may not undergo re-assessment in the University’s SAP. Re-assessment in the SAP will also not be available for certain modules and this is indicated in individual module specifications.
6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification
Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C (and D if applicable). For BSc (Hons) degrees, the percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part C 60%: Part B 40% to determine the final percentage mark. For MSci degrees, the percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part D 40%: Part C 40%: Part B 20% to determine the final percentage mark.
