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Programme & Unit Catalogues

Programmes in Natural Sciences 2018/9


UXXX-AFM01: MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology with Pharmacology stream)

Leading to the award of MASTER IN SCIENCE IN NATURAL SCIENCES

Mode of attendance: Full-time

Normal programme duration: 4 years


Click here for further information Possible DAPs for this programme:

Please see your programme handbook for circumstances where transfer to DAP may be permitted/required.

  

Click here for further informationPossible exit awards for this programme:



Natural Sciences students must take units totaling 60 credits in each programme year, usually comprising five blocks of 12 credits each, although some final year projects are worth 18 or 24 credits. Students must choose a major subject stream to follow and must take two blocks of units in this major subject each year. For further information on the structure of the programme, please see the Natural Sciences Course Guide.

Year 1: Part 1 Stage 1

Click here for further information NFAAR-UG assessment regulations:
  • Transfer to DAP may be possible from this programme year.
  • Main assessment regulations: Appendix 15 PDF format -requires Acrobat Reader to view; Supplementary assessment regulations: Appendix 16 PDF format -requires Acrobat Reader to view.
  • Part 1 Stage 1 of this programme contributes 0% towards the final award classification


Students following this subject stream must take the following in Year 1:
  1. All units in blocks Ls1.1, C1.1 and Pc1.1
  2. Either all units in Ecology block B1.1 or all in Plant Science block B1.2
  3. One further block of free options which may include whichever of blocks B1.1 and B1.2 was not selected above

Units which must be taken within this subject stream

Compulsory units for Biology Ls1.1

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 BB10006 Cell & molecular biology 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 BB10005 Cell biology 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits

Compulsory units for blocks C1.1 & Pc1.1

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
AY CH10136 Fundamentals of organic chemistry for Natural Sciences 12 credits       [equivalent to 24 CATS credits] Further information on credits
AY PA10315 Fundamentals of physiology and pharmacology for Natural Sciences students 12 credits       [equivalent to 24 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Optional units: Environmental Studies block ENV1.1
Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 XX10085 The Earth as an ecosystem 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 CH10226 Introduction to environmental and sustainable chemistry 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Optional units: Mathematics block M1.2
Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 MA10201 Modelling the dynamics of life 1 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 MA10202 Modelling the dynamics of life 2 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Optional units: Non science options
Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
AY PS10086 Mind and behaviour 12 credits       [equivalent to 24 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S1 ED10001 Exploring effective learning 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S1 MN10071 Organisational behaviour 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 ED10002 Learning: Theory & context 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 MN10248 Introduction to accounting 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Optional units: Ecology block B1.1
Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 BB10012 Ecology & evolution 1 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 BB10205 Ecology & evolution 2 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Optional units: Plant Science block B1.2
Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 BB10200 The life of Earth 1 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 BB10201 The life of Earth 2 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Optional units: Chemistry block C1.2/3
Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
AY CH10134 Atomic structure, bonding and the Periodic Table for Natural Sciences 12 credits       [equivalent to 24 CATS credits] Further information on credits
AY CH10138 From molecules to materials for natural scientists 12 credits       [equivalent to 24 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Notes:

  • Programmes and units may be changed in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • This programme catalogue is applicable for all years of study for the 2018/19 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2019/20 and beyond should not assume that this programme, or its component units, will be delivered in future years in the format displayed here.
  • NFAAR assessment regulations are subject to review and update. Links given here will provide access to the latest versions of NFAAR documentation. The regulations described in this documentation may not necessarily be those which applied in previous academic years. For detailed information on how the NFAAR was applied to this programme in previous academic years, please contact the relevant Director of Studies.
  • Availability of units is subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.


Year 2: Part 2 Stage 2

Click here for further information NFAAR-UG assessment regulations:
  • Transfer to DAP may be possible from this programme year.
  • Main assessment regulations: Appendix 23 PDF format -requires Acrobat Reader to view; Supplementary assessment regulations: Appendix 24 PDF format -requires Acrobat Reader to view.
  • Part 2 Stage 2 of this programme contributes 16% towards the final award classification


Students following this subject stream must take the following in Year 2:
  1. All units in block B2.3
  2. 12 credits in each semester from block Pc2
  3. One block from: Ecology block B2.1, Plant Science block B2.2, or Developmental Biology & Neuroscience block B2.5 (subject to pre-requisites)
  4. One further block of free options which may include any of blocks B2.1, B2.2, B2.4 and B2.5 was not selected above (subject to pre-requisites)

Units which must be taken within this subject stream

Compulsory units for Molecular biology block B2.3

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 BB20024 The dynamic cell 1 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 BB20160 The dynamic cell 2 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits

Compulsory units for Pharmacology block Pc2

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 PA20023 Pharmacology of the central nervous system 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S1 PA20291 Introduction to practical pharmacology for natural scientists 3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S1 PA20343 Drug discovery 3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 PA20016 Cardiovascular, renal and peripheral nervous system pharmacology 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits

Pharmacology block Pc2 options: Select 6 credits from this list

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
AY PA20348 Experimental pharmacology for natural sciences 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
AY PA20351 Infection and immunity for natural sciences students 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Optional units: Developmental Biology & Neuroscience block B2.5
Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 BB20149 Molecular genetics of vertebrate development 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 BB20028 Molecular and cellular neuroscience 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Optional units: Environmental Studies block ENV2.1
Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 XX20001 Renewable energy 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 XX30191 Sustainability 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Optional units: Non science options
Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
AY PS20167 Cognitive neuroscience 12 credits       [equivalent to 24 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S1 ED20003 Education in society 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S1 MN20072 Managing human resources 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 ED20126 Educational psychology 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 MN20073 Marketing 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Optional units: Ecology block B2.1

Students choosing this block must take BB20040 in Semester 1 and either BB20041, BB20226 or BB20173 in Semester 2

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 BB20040 Concepts in evolution 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 BB20041 Field course (Gower) 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 BB20173 Behaviour & ecology 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 BB20226 Portugal field course 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Optional units: Plant Science block B2.2
Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 BB20032 Plant symbiosis & pathology 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 BB20031 Plant biotechnology 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Optional units: Chemistry block C2.1/2/3

A maximum of 1 unit may be selected from this list for Chemistry blocks C2.1, C2.2 & C2.3.
  • You may only select CH20150 from this list if you took CH10136 (block C1.1) in Year 1;
  • You may only select CH20148 from this list if you took CH10134 (block C1.2) in Year 1;
  • You may only select CH20152 from this list if you took CH10138 (block C1.3) in Year 1.

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
AY CH20148 Inorganic synthesis, structure and reactivity (NS/CwM) 12 credits       [equivalent to 24 CATS credits] Further information on credits
AY CH20150 Organic synthesis, reaction mechanisms and spectroscopy (NS/CwM) 12 credits       [equivalent to 24 CATS credits] Further information on credits
AY CH20152 Principles of physical chemistry (NS/CwM) 12 credits       [equivalent to 24 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Optional units: Mathematics block M2.2
Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
AY XX20231 Mathematical and statistical methods for the life sciences 12 credits       [equivalent to 24 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Notes:

  • Programmes and units may be changed in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • This programme catalogue is applicable for all years of study for the 2018/19 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2019/20 and beyond should not assume that this programme, or its component units, will be delivered in future years in the format displayed here.
  • NFAAR assessment regulations are subject to review and update. Links given here will provide access to the latest versions of NFAAR documentation. The regulations described in this documentation may not necessarily be those which applied in previous academic years. For detailed information on how the NFAAR was applied to this programme in previous academic years, please contact the relevant Director of Studies.
  • Availability of units is subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.


Year 3: Part 2 Stage 3

Click here for further information NFAAR-UG assessment regulations:
  • Transfer to DAP may be possible from this programme year.
  • Main assessment regulations: Appendix 23 PDF format -requires Acrobat Reader to view; Supplementary assessment regulations: Appendix 24 PDF format -requires Acrobat Reader to view.
  • Part 2 Stage 3 of this programme contributes 34% towards the final award classification


Students following this subject stream must take the following in Year 3:
  1. At least two blocks of Biology options (B3.1, B3.2, B3.3 and B3.5) (subject to pre-requisites)
  2. 12 credits in each semester from Pharmacology block Pc3
  3. One further block of free options (subject to pre-requisites) if only two Biology blocks have been selected.

Optional units: Chemistry block C3.1
Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 CH30128 Topics in organic chemistry I 3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S1 CH30235 Organic chemistry of biomolecules 3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 CH30065 Biosynthesis & biotransformations 3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 CH30211 Chemistry beyond the molecule 3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Optional units: Chemistry block C3.2
Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 CH30127 Topics in inorganic chemistry I 3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S1 CH30203 Radiochemistry 3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 CH30086 Inorganic chemistry in biological systems 3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 CH30231 Porous materials 3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Optional units: Chemistry block C3.3
Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 CH30129 Topics in physical chemistry I 3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S1 CH30218 Analytical chemistry for natural scientists 3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 CH30227 Advanced spectroscopic techniques 3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 CH30239 Introduction to computational chemistry for natural scientists 3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Optional units: Environmental Studies block ENV3.1
Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 CE30145 Environmental management 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 XX30172 State of the planet 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Optional units: Environmental Studies block ENV3.2
Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 CE40129 Law, environmental legislation & waste management 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 XX30213 Water cycle and human health 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Optional units: Mathematics block M3.2
Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 MA30047 Mathematical biology 1 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 MA30063 Mathematical biology 2 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Optional units: Non science options
Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 ED30005 Science education in practice 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S1 MN20074 Digital business innovation 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S1 PS30115 Contemporary educational psychology 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 ED30006 Issues in science education 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 MN30076 Business strategy 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 PS30156 Affective neuroscience 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Optional units: Ecology block B3.1

Students choosing this block must take BB30208 in Semester 1 and either BB30131 or BB30132 in Semester 2

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 BB30208 Evolutionary quantitative genetics 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 BB30131 Evolution in deep time 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 BB30132 Sexual conflict 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Optional units: Plant Science block B3.2
Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 BB30129 Sensory and signalling networks in plants 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 BB40140 Plant biotechnology & the environment 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Optional units: Cell Biology block B3.3
Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 BB30045 Cell membranes 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 BB30161 Systems and developmental neurobiology 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Optional units: Developmental Biology & Neuroscience block B3.5
Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 BB30044 Molecular & medical neuroscience 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 BB30067 Advanced developmental genetics 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Units which must be taken within this subject stream

Pharmacology block Pc3: Select 12 credits in each semester

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 PA30142 Molecular applications in pharmacology 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S1 PA30214 Recent advances in drug discovery 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S1 PA30251 Advanced topics, trends and technologies in pharmacology 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 PA30148 Central nervous system pharmacology 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 PA30150 Cardiovascular pharmacology 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 PA30157 The molecular biology and treatment of cancer 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 PA30168 Drug targets in the immune system 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 PA30169 Trends in molecular signalling 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 PA30252 Pharmacology of regenerative medicine 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Notes:

  • Programmes and units may be changed in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • This programme catalogue is applicable for all years of study for the 2018/19 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2019/20 and beyond should not assume that this programme, or its component units, will be delivered in future years in the format displayed here.
  • NFAAR assessment regulations are subject to review and update. Links given here will provide access to the latest versions of NFAAR documentation. The regulations described in this documentation may not necessarily be those which applied in previous academic years. For detailed information on how the NFAAR was applied to this programme in previous academic years, please contact the relevant Director of Studies.
  • Availability of units is subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.


Year 4: Part 3 Stage 4

Click here for further information NFAAR-UG assessment regulations:
  • Transfer to DAP may be possible from this programme year.
  • Main assessment regulations: Appendix 27 (Section B)PDF format -requires Acrobat Reader to view; Supplementary assessment regulations: Appendix 28 (Section B)PDF format -requires Acrobat Reader to view.
  • Part 3 Stage 4 of this programme contributes 50% towards the final award classification


Students following this subject stream must take the following in Year 5:
  1. Biology project unit BB40130 in either S1 or S2
  2. Six credits in each semester from blocks B4.1, Pc4.1 and Pc4.2
  3. One further block of Biology options (B4.2 and B4.3) (subject to pre-requisites), dropping six credits from one of the biology blocks in the semester in which BB40130 is taken

Units which must be taken within this subject stream

Semester 1: Select PA40288 and either PA40214 or PA40142 for Pharmacology blocks Pc3.1 and Pc3.2

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 PA40288 Pharmacology dissertation for MSci students 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits

Biology majors must take BB40130 in either Semester 1 or Semester 2

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 BB40130 Research project (MSci) 18 credits       [equivalent to 36 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 BB40130 Research project (MSci) 18 credits       [equivalent to 36 CATS credits] Further information on credits

Students must select 6 credits in each semester from block B4.1

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 BB40128 The evolution of genetic systems 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S1 BB40134 Molecular phylogenetics 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 BB40117 Microbial evolution - from the laboratory to nature 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 BB40193 Sexual conflict 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 BB40195 Conservation biology 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Optional units: Biology block B4.2
Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 BB40102 Molecular mechanisms of disease 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 BB40118 Current topics in gene regulation and cell differentiation 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Optional units: Biology block B4.3
Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 BB40082 Frontiers of neuroscience 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 BB40164 Modern methods of researching neurodegeneration 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Optional units: Pharmacology block PC4.1/2

Semester 1: Select PA40288 and either PA40214 or PA40142 for Pharmacology blocks Pc3.1 and Pc3.2

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 PA40142 Molecular applications in pharmacology 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S1 PA40214 Recent advances in drug discovery 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits

Semester 2: Select 12 credits for Pharmacology blocks Pc3.1 and Pc3.2

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S2 PA40157 The molecular biology and treatment of cancer 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 PA40159 Cardiovascular pharmacology 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 PA40160 Central nervous system pharmacology 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 PA40162 Drug targets in the immune system 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 PA40163 Trends in molecular signalling 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits
S2 PA40252 Pharmacology of regenerative medicine 6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] Further information on credits


Notes:

  • Programmes and units may be changed in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • This programme catalogue is applicable for all years of study for the 2018/19 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2019/20 and beyond should not assume that this programme, or its component units, will be delivered in future years in the format displayed here.
  • NFAAR assessment regulations are subject to review and update. Links given here will provide access to the latest versions of NFAAR documentation. The regulations described in this documentation may not necessarily be those which applied in previous academic years. For detailed information on how the NFAAR was applied to this programme in previous academic years, please contact the relevant Director of Studies.
  • Availability of units is subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.