Programme aims
BSc Biotechnology has the aims of developing in our students:
- Understanding of the diversity of living systems, and the varied levels of complexity from biomolecules to ecosystems.
- Grounding in the principles of microbial, plant and animal biotechnology, with a strong foundation in molecular and cell biology.
- Understanding of interdisciplinary methods and approaches to research and knowledge acquisition.
- Enthusiasm for the life sciences and appreciation of the societal values of biotechnology.
- Skills needed to apply biotechnological solutions to global problems and to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Broad scientific skills, including training in handling and interpretation of quantitative information and the ability to plan and carry out desk, laboratory or computation-based research under supervision.
- Key skills of communication, numeracy, ITC use, problem solving, critical and systems thinking, working with others, self-evaluation and self-improvement, and autonomous learning, using the broad field of biotechnology for context and as a focus.
- Awareness of the employment opportunities in biotechnology, and development of the key skills required for careers in biotechnology.
- Knowledge, understanding and skills required for further study and research.
- Awareness of the need for compliance with health, safety, legislative and ethical policies in biotechnology research and practice.
- Appreciation of the need for, and importance of, lifelong learning and personal development planning.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Basic knowledge of physics, maths (including statistics) and chemistry that are relevant to biological sciences.
A2: Detailed understanding of different levels of biological organisation and complexity, from molecules, through cells and organisms, to ecosystems.
A3: Detailed understanding of key biological processes at the molecular level with emphasis on molecular biology and genetic engineering.
A4: Thorough understanding of appropriate practical scientific methods and approaches: observation, experimentation, bioinformatics, modelling; and analytical techniques.
A5: Conceptual understanding of issues facing society (e.g. climate change, pollution, food shortages, antibiotic resistance, ethical use of genetic modification), the interactions and connectivity between organisms and the environment, and the role of biotechnology in providing solutions, including in medicine, agriculture, industry and the environment.
A101: Experience of education and other cultures during a year abroad.
Learning methods
A1 to A5 learning methods account for diverse learning styles and include:
- Lectures and seminars, which direct students to textbooks and on-line material (Years 1 to 3), and reviews and research papers (Year 2 and particularly Year 3).
- Laboratory practicals, site visits and field courses in Years 1-3 that complement lectures.
- Coursework, especially associated with modules in Years 2 and 3.
- The research project in Year 3 (to different extents depending on the project topic).
Assessment methods
A1 to A5 are assessed, taking account of the diversity of learning styles by:
- Multiple Choice Questions (Year 1)
- Essays (Years 1, 2 and 3)
- Oral and written practical reports (Years 1 and 2)
- Exercises in data analysis and interpretation (DAI) (Years 2 and 3)
- Unseen written exams: short answer, essay (Years 1 and 2) and questions involving DAI (Years 2 and 3)
- The individual Year 3 research project, covering a range of A1 to A5 (depending on project topic), tests understanding in depth and is assessed by an individual written report (in scientific paper format) and an oral presentation.
- Oral presentations, poster and essays in the Issues module (Year 3) are used to assess A5.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Retrieve, select and collate appropriate biological information
B2: Evaluate primary and secondary evidence and arguments
B3: Analyse and interpret quantitative information in graphs, figures, tables and equations.
B4: Integrate and link information across course components, including different years and disciplines, and covering a range of scales of organisation.
B5: Plan and conduct a research task (including logistics, risk assessment and ethical approval where appropriate)
B6: Present data correctly, choose and apply an appropriate statistical test and interpret the output
Learning methods
- B1, B2 and B4 by directed learning topics (Years 1 and 2).
- B1 and B2 are partly covered by training in essay writing in Year 1 tutorials and further developed by coursework essays and other forms of assessment (Years 2 and 3).
- B2 and B3 are taught by specific inclusion of data analysis in lectures and classes in Years 2 and 3 and through progressive development of DAI coursework in Years 2 and 3.
- B1 to B3 and in some cases B4, are developed through analyses and presentation of results of practical work in Years 1 to 3.
- B4 is achieved by progressive subject development through the 3 years and the "Issues" course in Year 3.
- B5 is taught via the Year 3 research project module.
- B6 is taught in Year 1 skills modules and developed throughout the degree via practical coursework (Years 1 and 2) and in the final year research project.
Assessment methods
- B1, B2 and B4 are assessed by coursework and exam essays (Years 1 to 3).
- B2 and B3 are assessed by coursework and compulsory exam DAI questions (Years 2 and 3), practical reports (Years 1 and 2) and the research project report (Year 3).
- B4 is assessed by integrative exam questions and coursework in the Issues/Field Course module in Year 3.
- B1 to B5 are also assessed in the Year 3 research project.
- B6 is assessed in Year 1 & 2 practicals and in the Year 3 research project.
C: Practical skills
C1: Able to carry out basic laboratory experiments safely and effectively following a written schedule
C2: Use appropriate laboratory equipment safely and effectively.
C3: Able to explain the principles and limitations of a range of more advanced practical techniques
C4: Able to use appropriate software packages for simulations, modelling and statistical analysis.
C5: Plan, manage and complete a project effectively, safely and ethically.
C6: Employ academic integrity.
Learning methods
- C1 to C3 are taught in supervised practicals in Years 1 and 2.
- C1 and C3 (aspects of) are taught in lectures in Years 1 to 3.
- C1 to C3 are taught and developed by independent project work in Year 3.
- C1 to C3 (including safety and ethical issues) are addressed through practical documentation (Years 1 and 2) and developed by students preparing risk assessments and ethical permissions and consents where appropriate for Year 3 research projects.
- C4 is addressed through IT and statistics training in Year 1, and the use of more specialised software is taught or developed in practicals in Year 2 and the research project in Year 3.
- C5 is developed as part of the Year 3 research project.
- C6 is developed by general presentations to all students, Issues modules and lectures associated with the Year 3 research project.
Assessment methods
- C1 through Year 1 practicals, and the Year 3 research project.
- C2 in some Year 1 and 2 practicals.
- C3 in many practicals in Years 1 and 2 and in theory exams in Year 1 to 3.
- C4 in several Year 2 practicals, the Year 1 skills module and in the Year 3 research project.
- C5 by the Year 3 research project.
- C6 is accounted for in all assessments, using standard academic procedures, e.g. mixed assessment, plagiarism checking.
D: Key skills
D1: Able to plan and present clearly in: a) logically argued essays; b) longer reports, including basic scientific papers; c) a variety of other pieces of work for different target audiences; d) e-communications, e) oral presentations.
D2: a) Use current networked PC operating systems for normal file management, b) Use current common word-processing, spreadsheet, web browsing and email packages, c) Locate and use on-line catalogues and databases.
D3: a) Use appropriate precision, scales, units, scientific notation, ratios, fractions, percentages, powers of 10, logarithms and exponentials. b) Use essential algebra and trigonometry. c) Use approximations for mental arithmetic estimation and verification.
D4: Explore, analyse and find effective solutions for problems involving moderately complex information.
D5: Work effectively as part of a team to collect data and/or to produce reports and presentations
D6: Study independently, set realistic targets, plan work and time to meet targets within deadlines. Reflect on assessed work, feedback, and progress; Plan, record and document personal development
Learning methods
- Essay writing skills (D1) are taught in the Year 1 tutorials, the Scientific and Transferable Skills for Biosciences module and developed in all subsequent modules. Required length of essays and reports grows from Year 1 to 3.
- Oral presentation skills (D1) are developed in some practicals and lecture modules, the summer laboratory course (Year 2), and the Research Project module in Year 3.
- IT use (D2) is taught in Year 1, particularly in Transferable Skills for Life Sciences module and developed throughout all years. Most coursework from Year 2 onwards must be word-processed, and other computer produced work is required for some practical assignments in Year 2 and in the Year 3 research project, and in the Issues module.
- Library, on line catalogue and web skills (D2) are taught in Year 1; developed by provision of module-related material on the Web and through preparation of the research project report (Year 3). Web-based material (D2) is used in several modules including practicals.
- D3 is taught in lectures & seminars (Year1) and developed in many subsequent modules (Year 1 to Year 3).
- D4 taught through DAI questions in Years 2 and 3, and in some practical classes, and developed in the Issues module, and in supervised project work (Year 3).
- Team work (D5) is introduced in some Year 1 practicals and developed in the summer laboratory course (Year 2), in Year 2 practicals and in the Year 3 Issues module.
- D6 is addressed in the Transferable Skills for Life Sciences module in Year 1, developed through the provision of explicit directed learning tasks (Years 1 and 2), increasing amounts of student managed learning from Year 1 to Year 3, attendance monitoring, rigid deadlines, feedback on assignments and discussions with personal tutor. D6 planning component is developed in the Year 3 Research Project module.
Assessment methods
- Written skills (D1) are assessed through essays in coursework and exams (Years 1 to 3), in practical reports (Years 1 and 2), in the Issues module and the research project report (Year 3).
- Oral presentation skills (D1) are assessed in Year 3 Issues Module and in the Year 3 Research Project module.
- IT and Maths skills (D2 and D3) are assessed through worksheets and exams in Year 1.
- Thereafter, practical work, coursework and exam questions throughout the degree course assess numerical skills.
- Most coursework from year 2 onwards has to be prepared by computer and submitted on-line.
- Problem solving (D4) is assessed in some of the Year 2 practicals, in the Year 3 Sustainability Module, in DAI questions in Years 2 and 3 exams and in the final year research project.
- D5 is assessed through team presentations in some Year 2 practical work and in the Year 3 Issues module.
- D6 is assessed indirectly by examining directed learning material (Years 1 and 2), by awarding marks for evidence of additional reading and by imposing strict deadlines for coursework assignments.
- D6 PDP is assessed in year 1 Transferable Skills for Life Sciences through the development of a CV and e-portfolio, and is developed in Year 2 Skills module.
- The planning component of D6 is assessed in the Year 3 Research Project module.