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Programme Specification
Master of Biomedical Sciences: 2019-
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 s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
Awarding Institution University of Southampton Teaching Institution University of Southampton Mode of Study Full-time Duration in Years 4 years, following standard progression for a full-time student Accreditation details Not applicable Final award Integrated Masters (MBiomedSci) Name of award Biomedical Sciences Interim Exit awards Certificate in Higher Education Diploma in Higher Education Bachelor of Science (Ordinary) Bachelor of Science (Hons) FHEQ level of final award 7 UCAS code B QAA Subject Benchmark or other external reference
QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Biomedical Science (2007), QAA: Master’s degree characteristics (2010) QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) Programme Lead Dr N Smyth Date specification was written 2005/ Date specification was validated April 2013 Date specification was last updated July 2017
Programme Overview
Brief outline of the programme
Biomedical Sciences is the study of the biological basis of disease. Our integrated Masters Degree programme allows you to focus on selected aspects of physiology and/or biochemistry to a research level. Graduates in biomedical science are in demand in a variety of areas of employment. In Southampton you will undertake a balanced programme where you will gain the relevant skills and knowledge required for a career in this subject area.
Investigating potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease, finding the causes of cystic fibrosis, improving our understanding of cancer - just a few of the vital areas where biomedical science is making a difference today.
Biomedical scientists study the mechanisms of life and the underlying causes of disease, and seek to develop and improve treatments for populations of patients.
Learning and teaching
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, practical classes, coursework and projects. In year 3 you will undertake independent research project. In your final year you will take another extended research-based project and two library-based dissertations. In addition you will study two modules in depth allowing you to critically assess research papers and write an overview of one aspect of the field.
Throughout the programme you will undertake independent reading both to supplement and consolidate the taught material and to broaden your knowledge and understanding of biomedical sciences.
Assessment
You are assessed by a combination of continuous assessment and written examinations at the end of each semester to test your knowledge and understanding of the lecture and tutorial material. Continuous assessment is based on performance in tutorials and practicals.
Please note: As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our programmes to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. As a result, this programme may be revised during a student’s period of registration, however, any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Please read our Disclaimer to see why, when and how changes may be made to a student’s programme.
Programmes and major changes to programmes are approved through the University’s programme validation process which is described in the University’s Quality handbook.
Educational Aims of the Programme
The aims of the programme are to provide:
- a stimulating, informed environment through a wide range of interesting and contemporary courses with flexibility and choice, but allowing you to focus increasingly as you progress from level to level;
- a sound scientific knowledge base in Biochemistry and Physiology to masters level to enable you to show critical awareness of current problems and new insights in biomedical science research;
- an appreciation of the limits of knowledge of biomedical processes and how these limits may be extended by further relevant research;
- training in biochemical and physiological laboratory skills;
- an opportunity to develop a range of transferable skills (information and communication technology, team working, written and oral communication, time management, planning, data collection and presentation);
- opportunities for you to develop skills of critical thinking and analysis and to show that you can pursue independent study;
- an opportunity to undertake a number of projects on biomedical topics, including two in an academic research laboratory;
- an education and training suitable for a wide variety of careers and that will prepare you for higher degrees and careers in biochemical research – or graduate entry to medicine;
- the capability of life-long learning, study and enquiry.
Programme Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this programme you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Systems Physiology
- the principal functions of the major organs in the body;
- the respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, reproductive and cardiovascular systems;
- muscles and the control of muscle contraction;
- the regulation of blood flow and the formation of new blood vessels;
- the cellular interactions which underlie the immune response in normal and pathophysiology;
- the nervous system;
- the intracellular signalling pathways, and how cell surface receptors activate major signalling pathways and how these pathways are modified in disease states;
- the mechanisms of protein targeting within cells and role played by receptor cascades and oncogenes in normal and aberrant cell signalling;
Homeostasis and Cell Communication
- the principles of homeostasis;
- hormones and their importance in physiological processes;
- cell-cell communication in the autocrine, paracrine, endocrine and nervous systems;
Metabolism and Molecular Biology
- how the information stored in DNA is used to make proteins;
- the basic principles of molecular cell biology;
- the properties of enzymes;
- genome projects and their impact on normal and pathophysiology;
- the basic experimental approaches used to monitor gene expression at the protein level (proteomics);
- strategies used in the production and use of antibodies for human therapy;
- the pathways involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins;
- how the various metabolic pathways are integrated in the body;
Teaching and Learning Methods
You will be helped to acquire these skills through aspects of the formal teaching programme. In the early years this will mainly be through tutorial and coursework, whilst in Parts 3 and 4 your project work will give you ample opportunity to further develop and practise many of the individual skills.
Assessment methods
Your skills will be assessed as described in the section above, primarily through continuous assessment and through your Parts 3 and 4 projects.
Graduate Attributes
Graduate Attributes are the personal qualities, skills and understanding you can develop during your studies. They include but extend beyond your knowledge of an academic discipline and its technical proficiencies. Graduate Attributes are important because they equip you for the challenge of contributing to your chosen profession and may enable you to take a leading role in shaping the society in which you live.
We offer you the opportunity to develop these attributes through your successful engagement with the learning and teaching of your programme and your active participation in University life. The skills, knowledge and personal qualities that underpin the Graduate Attributes are supported by your discipline. As such, each attribute is enriched, made distinct and expressed through the variety of learning experiences you will experience. Your development of Graduate Attributes presumes basic competencies on entry to the University.
Programme Structure
Typical course content
The programme is offered as a full-time course. The MBiomedSci programme normally lasts for four years.
Study is divided into four parts for the MBiomedSci each part corresponding to one year of full-time study. The programme is delivered in a semester pattern, each semester having 12 weeks for teaching and learning and 2- weeks for examinations.
In Part 1, there are a number of core and compulsory modules, which lay a solid foundation in the basic discipline of this programme. More specialised training and options that enable diversification commence in the second year. In Parts 3 and 4, students are exposed to the forefront of the discipline’s knowledge, with the opportunity to conduct supervised original research.
The four-year programme is intended to develop research skills in a more inter-disciplinary context than is possible in a three-year degree structure. You will also be exposed to cutting-edge research, participating in seminar presentations in wide-ranging and specialist topics.
Special Features of the programme
The Masters in Biomedical Sciences provides a flexible programme with which to pursue your interest in Medical Science to the frontiers of our knowledge in this discipline. Parts 1 and 2 provide you with a solid foundation in Physiology and Biochemistry and important related disciplines needed to put the specific information in context. You will also develop a solid foundation in laboratory skills. In Part 3 you will have the opportunity to develop your own interests in particular fields of biomedicinal research supported by a range of advanced Part 3 courses. These courses are taught by researchers at the forefront of their disciplines from within the Centre and from the wider university, including the faculty of Medicine and Institute of Life Sciences. There is also the opportunity to conduct an original research project. The analytical skills acquired will be further honed in Part 4 where you have the opportunity to undertake an extended research projects in the Centres own research laboratories and attend modules which are research led, drawing extensively on research seminars given throughout the University. The analytical and practical skills acquired during this programme provide a strong foundation for a broad range of careers.
Programme details
Details of the Programme Structure may be found on the Academic Unit web sitehttp://www.southampton.ac.uk/biosci/undergraduate/courses/b991_master_of_biomedical_sciences.page? (Where an indicative list of options can be found. We cannot guarantee to offer every option each year); in the
Year Handbooks, http://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentservices/academic-life/faculty-handbooks.page and are briefly summarised below.
As for all students studying for degrees in Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, you will take a common Part 1. This gives you the flexibility to change your programme of study at any time before the start of Part 2.
This is an indicative list of options/modules. We cannot guarantee to offer every option each year.
Part 1 (FHEQ Level 4) (60 ECTS/120 Credits)
You will take the following FOUR core modules (30 ECTS, 7.5 each): (i.e. a minimum pass mark of 40% is required)
BIOL1007 Macromolecules of Life (Semester 1) BIOL1008 Metabolism and Metabolic Disorders (Semester 2) BIOL1011 Systems Physiology (Semester 1) BIOL1013 Integrative Mammalian Physiology (Semester 2)
In addition you will take the following FOUR compulsory modules (30 ECTS, 7.5 each): (i.e. a minimum pass mark of 25% is required)
BIOL1006 Cell Biology and Genetics (Semester 2) BIOL1020 Core Skills in Life Sciences (Full academic year) BIOL1021 Behaviour of Biomolecules (Semester 2) CHEM1039 Chemistry for Biological Sciences (Semester 1)
Without A level chemistry - CHEM 1012 introduction to chemistry will be taken in place of CHEM 1039 Without A level chemistry - BIOL1023 Cell and Tissue Histology will be taken in place of BIOL 1021
Part 2 (FHEQ Level 5) (60 ECTS/120 Credits)
You will take the following ONE module which spans the whole academic year:
BIOL2046 Quantitative Skills Biomed Science (7.5 ECTS)
Please select a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 2 from these highly recommended Semester 1 modules:
BIOL2010 Flow of genetic information BIOL2016 Pharmacology A
Please select a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 2 modules from these Semester 1 BIOL Level 5 modules:
BIOL2012 Exploring Proteins: Structure and Function BIOL2014 Neuroscience BIOL2043 Biotechnology and the Living Cell
Please select a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 2 of these highly recommended Semester 2 modules:
BIOL2011 Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry BIOL2022 Immunology, Infection and Inflammation
Please select 1-3 of the following Semester 2 BIOL modules:
BIOL2013 Bioinformatics & DNA Technology BIOL2017 Pharmacology B BIOL2018 Adaptive Physiology BIOL2044 Medical Microbiology BIOL2045 Vertebrate Development
A maximum of TWO elective modules can be selected from a range of suitable courses from Academic Units other than CfBS, but no more than one UOSM should be taken. We strongly encourage you to discuss electives with your tutor before pursuing such options.
Part 3 (FHEQ Level 6) (60 ECTS/120 Credits)
Honours degree 6 at least 180 45 Ordinary degree 6 at least 150 30 Diploma of Higher Education 5 at least 120 45 Certificate of Higher Education 4 at least 60 45
Learning outcomes specific to each intermediate exit point correspond to a sub-set of those for the programme as a whole and may be determined by consulting the module map at the end of this document.
Support for student learning
There are facilities and services to support your learning some of which are accessible to students across the University and some of which will be geared more particularly to students in your particular Faculty or discipline area.
The University provides:
- library resources, including e-books, on-line journals and databases, which are comprehensive and up- to-date together with assistance from Library staff to enable you to make the best use of these resources
- high speed access to online electronic learning resources on the Internet from dedicated PC Workstations onsite and from your own devices laptops, smartphones and tablet PCs via the Eduroam wireless network. There is a wide range of application software available from the Student Public Workstations.
- computer accounts which will connect you to a number of learning technologies for example, the Blackboard virtual learning environment (which facilitates online learning and access to specific learning resources)
- standard ICT tools such as Email, secure filestore and calendars.
- access to key information through the MySouthampton Student Mobile Portal which delivers timetables, Module information, Locations, Tutor details, Library account, bus timetables etc. while you are on the move.
- IT support through a comprehensive website, telephone and online ticketed support and a dedicated helpdesk in the Hartley Library.
- Enabling Services offering support services and resources via a triage model to access crisis management, mental health support and counselling.
- assessment and support (including specialist IT support) facilities if you have a disability, long term health problem or Specific Learning Difficulty (e.g. dyslexia);
- the Student Services Centre (SSC) to assist you with a range of general enquiries including financial matters, accommodation, exams, graduation, student visas, ID cards
- Career Destinations, advising on job search, applications, interviews, paid work, volunteering and internship opportunities and getting the most out of your extra-curricular activities alongside your degree programme when writing your CV
- Other support that includes health services (GPs), chaplaincy (for all faiths) and ‘out of hours’ support for students in Halls (18.00-08.00); a Centre for Language Study, providing assistance in the development of English language and study skills for non-native speakers.
The Students’ Union provides
- an academic student representation system, consisting of Course Representatives, Academic Presidents, Faculty Officers and the Vice-President Education SUSU provides training and support for all these representatives, whose role is to represent students’ views to the University.
- opportunities for extracurricular activities and volunteering
- an Advice Centre offering free and confidential advice including support if you need to make an academic appeal
- Support for student peer-to-peer groups, such as Nightline.
Associated with your programme you will be able to access:
- An induction programme at the start of the course, which will provide orientation, information on modules, courses, library and computer facilities.
- Handbooks, module handbooks and material on the web.
- Library and academic skill packages.
- Well-equipped laboratories.
- Academic and pastoral support from members of staff, including your personal tutor which will include scheduled meetings at appropriate occasions during the academic year.
- Access to all administrative and academic material on the CBS, Programme and individual module web sites and/or Blackboard (http://www.blackboard.soton.ac.uk).
- Access to all academic staff through an appointment system and e-mail.
- Access to administrative staff in the Faculty Student Offices during the normal working day.
- Feedback on assessment.
Methods for evaluating the quality of teaching and learning
You will have the opportunity to have your say on the quality of the programme in the following ways:
- Completing student evaluation questionnaires for each module of the programme
- Acting as a student representative on various committees, e.g. Staff: Student Liaison Committees, Faculty Programmes Committee OR providing comments to your student representative to feed back on your behalf.
- Serving as a student representative on Faculty Scrutiny Groups for programme validation
- Taking part in programme validation meetings by joining a panel of students to meet with the Faculty Scrutiny Group
The ways in which the quality of your programme is checked, both inside and outside the University, are:
- Regular module and programme reports which are monitored by the Faculty
- Programme validation, normally every five years
- External examiners, who produce an annual report
- A national Research Assessment Exercise (our research activity contributes directly to the quality of your learning experience)
- Institutional Review by the Quality Assurance Agency
The Academic Unit of Biological Sciences has an Education Executive that monitors and evaluates all aspects of learning and teaching at undergraduate level. It considers the results of student feedback and takes appropriate action to remedy any shortcomings. The Director of Education acts on the results of peer observation of teaching
and reports from our External Examiners who are selected from comparator universities.
Criteria for admission
The University’s Admissions Policy (see www.southampton.ac.uk/admissions-policy) applies equally to all programmes of study. The following are the typical entry criteria we use for selecting candidates for admission to our programmes.
Entry Requirements
These requirements are reviewed annually by our Admissions team. Those stated below were correct as of July
GCSEs:
We require Grades A-C in English, Mathematics and Science. If you lack these formal qualifications, your aptitude for the course will be assessed at interview. International students, whose first language is not English, must have already attained the necessary standard in English – see English Language Proficiency section below.
A Levels:
AAB (excluding general studies). Either Biology or Chemistry must be offered at A-level (minimum Grade B)along with at least one other A-level science subject
A-level Science subjects considered include:
Other science A-levels
Biology Chemistry Human Biology
With a Biomedical Sciences degree you could be expected to find work in the following areas:
- Laboratory scientist in forensic, pathology, veterinary, toxicology or haematology laboratory
- Research in academic, pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors
- Business, legal or management roles in health care and health and safety
- Clinical research organisations running clinical trials and surveys
- Graduate entry to medical school
- Graduate assistant role to physicians or other health professionals
- Laboratory science in NGOs and voluntary services overseas
- Science writer or journalist in biological and biomedical topics
- Teaching science nationally and internationally
External Examiners(s) for the programme
Name Dr Pauline Phelan Institution University of Kent
Name Dr Stuart Knight Institution Kings College London
Students must not contact External Examiner(s) directly, and external examiners have been advised to refer any such communications back to the University. Students should raise any general queries about the assessment and examination process for the programme with their Course Representative, for consideration through Staff: Student Liaison Committee in the first instance, and Student representatives on Staff: Student Liaison Committees will have the opportunity to consider external examiners’ reports as part of the University’s quality assurance process.
External examiners do not have a direct role in determining results for individual students, and students wishing to discuss their own performance in assessment should contact their personal tutor in the first instance.
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 s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information can be found in the programme handbook (or other appropriate guide) or online at (give URL).
Additional Costs
Students are responsible for meeting the cost of essential textbooks, and of producing such essays, assignments, laboratory reports and dissertations as are required to fulfil the academic requirements for each programme of study. In addition to this, students registered for this programme typically also have to pay for the items listed in the table below
In some cases you'll be able to choose modules (which may have different costs associated with that module) which will change the overall cost of a programme to you. Details of such costs will be listed in the Module Profile. Please also ensure you read the section on additional costs in the University’s Fees, Charges and Expenses Regulations in the University Calendar available at http://www.calendar.soton.ac.uk/.
Main Item Sub-section PROGRAMME SPECIFIC COSTS Approved Calculators
Candidates may use calculators in the examination room only as specified by the University and as permitted by the rubric of individual examination papers. The University approved models are Casio FX- 570 and Casio FX-85GT Plus. These may be purchased from any source and no longer need to carry the University logo. Stationery You will be expected to provide your own day-to-day stationary items, e.g. pens, pencils, notebooks, etc. Any specialist stationery items will be specified under the Additional Costs tab of the relevant module profile.
Textbooks Where a module specifies core texts these should generally be available on the reserve list in the library. However due to demand, students may prefer to buy their own copies. These can be purchased from any source.
Some modules suggest reading texts as optional background reading. The library may hold copies of such texts, or alternatively you may wish to purchase your own copies. Although not essential reading, you may benefit from the additional reading materials for the module. Equipment and Materials
Laboratory Equipment and Materials:
All materials required for laboratory work are provided. Where necessary, suitable specialist safety equipment will be provided. IT Computer Discs or USB drives Students are expected to provide their own portable data storage device. Software Licenses All software is provided Hardware It is advisable that students provide their own laptop or personal computer, although shared facilities are available across the University campus. Clothing Lab Coats and safety spectacles
One laboratory coat and a pair of safety spectacles are provided at the start of the programme to each student. If these are lost the student must replace them at their own expense. The Students Union Shop stock these items.
Printing and Photocopying Costs
Coursework such as essays; projects; dissertations may be submitted on line. In the majority of cases, though, students will be asked to provide a printed copy. The University printing costs are currently:
A4 - 5p per side (black and white) or 25p per side (colour) A3 - 10p per side (black and white) or 50p per side (colour)
Please Note: Paper sizes not recognised by the printing devices will prompt you to select the size and then
