Biological Sciences BSc (Hons): XJTLU 2+2 programme

This module will continue, extend, and broaden the transferable skills developed in Year 1. It will focus on improving the students’ analytical, communication, quantitative, and employability skills. The communication skills component is assessed through a portfolio whereas the quantitative skills component is assessed through a group poster and SAQ.

This module extends and puts into practice the knowledge and understanding students gained from LIFE223. In a series of interactive seminars and practicals, students will design and perform their own experiments, choose and perform the appropriate data analysis, and write up the results in a report.

This module will provide practical experience in advanced biochemical techniques. Students, working in small groups (of 4, exceptionally 3) will plan and perform two experimental projects: one on enzyme stability, and the other on protein purification. This module is required for students intending to enter the Biochemistry Honours School and is continuously assessed. The module is delivered via lectures, lab work and workshops and assessed by practical exam and two scientific reports.

This practical module aims to provide practical experience in a range of modern genetic techniques including genetic manipulation, mutagenesis, population genetics, molecular analysis of genomes and bioinformatics. Students will also develop the skills required to apply, evaluate and interpret this knowledge to solve biological problems. This module is continuously assessed.

This practical module aims to provide students with an opportunity to learn and apply a range of microbiological laboratory techniques in order to develop their ability to plan and execute research projects in microbiology. The module is continuously assessed.

The Biochemistry and Pharmacology programmes, and at UoL require students to have studied chemistry to A level or equivalent standard. The Biological Chemistry module is designed to build on this background, and the chemical content of the Year 1 modules, especially LIFE101 and LIFE102 (which is designed for all students) to develop chemical understanding and analytical skills to support later modules in structural and mechanistic biochemistry, medicinal chemistry and pharmacokinetics. The module may also be taken by C130 or C100 students with the appropriate chemical background to equip them to study some of these later modules as part of their general programmes.

This module will examine the ways in which biological processes are applied for solving technological processes.

Examples of specific processes will be used including production of antibiotics, biomass, single cell protein, biopolymers, vaccines and other therapeutic agents.

The lectures will be supplemented with on-line reading resources. Students will be given guided reading, and regular formative assessment exercises will enable students to evaluate their understanding of the module.

The module will be assessed by two assessments.

This module will describe the molecular mechanisms that allow cells to communicate with each other;

The basic properties common to all signalling pathways will be studied and then a series of individual pathways will be examined in more detail, in the light of these general principles;

The importance of cellular signalling mechanisms will be illustrated by examining diseases (e.g. cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, neurological disorders) that result from defects in these mechanisms;

The lectures will be supplemented with on-line resources. Students will be given guided reading, and regular formative assessment exercises will enable students to evaluate their understanding of the module;

The module will be assessed by continuous assessment

This laboratory module covers the basic techniques of chemical experimental science, including analysis of unknown chemicals, basic chemical synthesis and separation and computerised search for molecular information.

This module aims to enable students to develop their understanding of the cardiovascular, endocrine and central nervous systems and the mechanisms by which drugs interact with physiological processes operating within each of these systems. They will also gain an appreciation of the drug development process, including clinical trials and drug regulation. The lectures will be supplemented with on-line resources. Students will be given guided reading, and regular formative assessment exercises in class will enable students to evaluate their understanding of the module. The module will be assessed by an online test and a final examination.

Many aspects of modern biology are being revolutionized by high-throughput methods that make copious amounts of data available in digital form. The aim of this module is to provide students with a practical appreciation of the nature and significance of this revolution. While the focus will be on analysis of data from areas such as genome sequencing, gene expression, and protein structure studies, the module will also look at use of such data in the context of understanding higher order phenomena within cells, such as metabolism, gene regulation, and protein-protein interaction. The module is continuously assessed.​​

Many aspects of modern biology are being revolutionized by high-throughput methods that make copious amounts of data available in digital form. The aim of this module is to provide students with a practical appreciation of the nature and significance of this revolution. While the focus will be on analysis of data from areas such as genome sequencing, gene expression, and protein structure studies, the module will also look at use of such data in the context of understanding higher order phenomena within cells, such as metabolism, gene regulation, and protein-protein interaction. The module is continuously assessed.​​​

This module seeks to explain how the process of natural selection underpins the origins of biodiversity.

The module will address the origins of phenotypic diversity, focussing on where heritable phenotypic variation comes from and how it shapes the evolutionary process within species (microevolution).

Having established a basic model for understanding how evolution works, the second part of the module will explain the link between microevolution and evolution above the species level (macroevolution), overviewing the major evolutionary transitions.

The lectures will be supplemented with online resources. Students will be given guided reading.

The module will be assessed by two coursework assessments in semester 1.

This module aims to provide the essential background knowledge to understand key concepts in neuroscience. It covers the principles of operation of nervous system, systematic and sensory neurophysiology, excitotoxicity and behaviour. The module also provides essential background knowledge to understand the key principles of endocrinology, and how it contributes to physiological homeostasis. It covers the secretions, functions and regulation of the major endocrine glands. The module also explores the role of the nervous and endocrine systems in the integrative control of the digestive tract. The lectures will be supplemented with on-line resources. Students will be given guided reading, and regular formative assessment exercises will enable students to evaluate their understanding of the module. The module will be assessed by continuous assessment.

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the fundamental processes whereby genetic information is expressed as proteins in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Lectures will be supplemented with on-line resources. Students will be given guided reading, and regular formative assessment exercises will enable students to evaluate their understanding of the module. The module will be assessed two assessments.

This module aims to introduce students with an interest in Genetics and Molecular Biology to the range of biological mechanisms that control structure and stability of the genetic material and their impact on health and disease.

It uses examples from both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, to develop principles that explain DNA replication, repair and recombination. These principles and processes are then discussed in a clinical/medical genetics context.

The lectures will be supplemented with on-line resources. Students will be given guided reading, and regular formative assessment exercises will enable students to evaluate their understanding of the module.

The module will be assessed by continuous assessments.

This module is a 6 weeks molecular biology practical to provide experience in techniques to isolate, clone and analyse genes (analysis of DNA fragments by agarose gel electrophoresis, PCR, transformations, plasmid DNA preparations, gene cloning). The module has a range of different formative and summative assessments to include in-course problem-solving exercises, online quizzes and abstract writing, which ensure the student becomes confident to continue genetic manipulations in specialist Year 2 Semester 2 practical modules and for project work in Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology.  ​The module will encourage confidence, teamwork and communication through active learning in lectures and practicals centred around authentic assessments.

A year 2 Chemistry module for Life Sciences. Whilst designed and aimed to offer Pharmacology students a grounding in directly relevant organic chemistry and spectroscopy, other Life Science students with an interest in Pharmacology may wish to take this as an optional module.

This module will provide an understanding of the quantitative aspects of drug action on cellular receptors and will address the relationship between drug efficacy and chemical structure.

The module will introduce the basic principles of pharmacokinetics, outline the relationship between drug concentration and response, and include an introduction to the principles of toxicity of drugs and their metabolites.

The module will provide knowledge of the molecular biology of receptors.

The lectures will be supplemented with online resources. Students will be given guided reading, and regular formative assessment exercises will enable students to evaluate their understanding of the module.

The module will be assessed by both an online test and a final examination.

This module aims to provide an introduction to the detailed structure of biomolecules (particularly nucleic acids and proteins), the different techniques used to determine this structure and how structural features define biological function. LIFE245 is a prerequisite. Examples will be included to show how altered structure leads to altered function in disease. It will introduce cutting-edge technologies used to investigate protein structure and behaviour from actually visualising molecules using cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography, to determining how molecules move and interact using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The uses, advantages and limitations of these techniques will be illustrated using case studies of specific macromolecular complexes. The lectures will be supplemented with on-line resources.

Students will be given guided reading, and regular formative assessment exercises will enable students to evaluate their understanding of the module.

The module will be assessed by two coursework assessments.

This practical module aims to provide practical and theoretical experience in techniques currently used in cell biology. These techniques include assay, culture, histology and microscopy. The module is assessed through coursework and a final exam.

The module will develop knowledge and understanding of the immune system, the molecules, cells and tissues that are involved in its function, its role in combating infection and how its dysfunction can contribute to disease.

Lectures will be supplemented with on-line resources. Problem solving workshops dedicated to case studies will be held to help students prepare for the assessments. Students will be given guided reading, and formative and summative assessment exercises held during the course will enable students to monitor and evaluate their progress and to prepare for the final assessment.

By the end of the course students should be able to understand the vital role of the immune system in health and disease and be able to apply this understanding to range of clinical and research scenarios.

The module will be assessed by two assessments: one 1000 word coursework assignment (40%) and one exam (60%).

This module aims to describe the structure and function of fundamental tissues, such as epithelial and connective tissue and of specialised tissues such as muscle and the nervous system. An introduction to the mechanisms by which cells differentiate to form different tissues and regenerate following injury will be included. The processes that occur during aging will be explained with special reference to changes in key tissues and organs. The lectures will be supplemented with on-line resources, guided reading and formative assessment exercises that will enable students to evaluate their understanding of the module. The module will be assessed by both continuous assessment and by a final examination.​

This module is an introduction to modern virology.

The module provides an overview of different virus families and aims to explain the fundamental properties of different viruses, their infection in different organisms, their detection and control, and positive applications of viruses.

The lectures will be supplemented with online resources. Students will be given guided reading, and regular formative assessment exercises will enable students to evaluate their understanding of the module.

The module will be assessed by continuous assessment.

This module aims to provide a set of communication and critical reflection skills in the context of biological sciences. These skills will help students enhance the execution and presentation of their research project, prepare them for Level 6 assessments and maximise their employment and personal development opportunities. The module is taught though seminars and tutorials, but has a strong emphasis on independent learning. Learning material is provided through VITAL. The module is assessed by continuous assessment.

This module describes the exploitation of microorganisms and microbial processes in the context of modern developments in biotechnology.

Economic and ethical aspects of the development of novel products and the potential environmental benefits and risks of using biotechnological processes will be examined.

Specific aspects to be examined will be antibiotic production, plant biomass conversion, microbial informatics and biofuels.

The module is taught through standard lectures and workshops, and it is assessed by continuous assessment.

This module describes the mechanistic diversity and common themes of bacterial infection. The pathogenesis of infection is described from first contact with the host to explain the importance of attachment, colonisation and avoidance of the immune system through to persistence and chronic infection. Pathogenesis is described in terms of common themes and the variation between pathogens due to their complement of virulence determinants by covering multiple, key bacterial pathogens. Lectures are delivered on broad aspects such as subversion of the host, expression of bacterial toxins and expression, motility loci and intracellular survival. Specific disease mechanisms used by major human pathogens are outlined to demonstrate the complexity and multicomponent aspects leading to successful infection. The use of infection models to study infection and techniques to assay the contribution of both individual and multiple genes are described. The importance of temporal regulation of virulence determinant expression is outlined along with gene mobilisation via phages, plasmids and transposons. Resistance to antimicrobials and the future prospects for treatment are featured. The module will be assessed by two coursework assessments.

This module takes an interdisciplinary approach to examine human evolution. Beginning with the human genome and how it has evolved, the module moves through the biological scales to examine how the genome has shaped developmental evolution in the human lineage, and finally the adaptations that this developmental evolution produced in the Homo lineage since it split with chimpanzees.

The module will utilise a variety of learning strategies to facilitate student-led and active learning. The teaching sessions will include significant workshop components and problem-solving elements. In some cases, these will stand independently as traditional lectures/seminars, and in some cases flipped classroom workshop approaches will be used, with material delivered in advance online. In the workshop sessions, students will then engage in activities including debates, small group discussions, and presentations. Supporting materials such as recorded lectures, links to online resources and literature will be provided on Canvas. Students will be guided to key articles (reviews, primary literature) and textbooks which will support learning. Opportunities for individual feedback on learning will be provided.

The module will be assessed through coursework.

This module will introduce the concepts that are fundamental to modern ideas in biophysics and cell signalling in both health and disease. It will provide students with the ability to access, collate and discuss the modern literature in cell signalling from a systems physiology perspective. Successful students will develop the skills required for interpretation of experimental cell signalling data. The module will be taught through a series of lectures and tutorials and will be assessed by two coursework assessments.

This module uses research-led teaching to critically examine a selection of contemporary themes in evolutionary biology.

In the first part, students will receive training in modern methods for reconstructing the evolutionary history of species and specific traits. In the second part, we will cover a range of up to date and exciting topics in evolutionary biology, delivered by staff who are experts in their field;

Here students will learn about and discuss the cutting edge of important and generally applicable areas of evolutionary thought;

The module is taught via lectures, seminars, structured discussions and computer practicals; and assessed by written assignments.

The aim of this module is to demonstrate the relevance and importance of the principles of drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics. It will stress the importance of the relationship between drug disposition and drug response. The module will be mainly taught through formal lectures. Formative exercises will be submitted electronically and feedback will be provided electronically. In-class online problem solving workshops will address the topics pharmacokinetics and PBPK and demonstrate the use of software. The module will be assessed through coursework.

This module aims to provide students with a systematic knowledge and critical understanding of how patterns of gene expression in an organism alter in response to environmental changes, growth and development;

It will explain the steps at which control of gene expression can be exerted, focusing on eukaryotic cells;

The module will be taught through lectures and assessed by two coursework assessments.

The main aim of this module is to develop students’ understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that lead to tumour formation and be able to critically read published papers on the biology of cancer. In the first part of the module, the students will learn about the molecular and cellular mechanisms that lead to tumour formation. This includes understanding the origin of cancer by studying the mutations causing cancer and the genome instability. A bioinformatic workshop and a case study exercise on mutations in cancer cells will complement the lectures. This leads to the identification of oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes. The second part focuses on the general cancer hallmarks acquired during the development of human cancer, including the role of tumour microenvironment and cancer stem cells. The third part of the module will cover therapeutic strategies including drug design, targeted therapies, and a clinical viewpoint. The module will be assessed by continuous assessment.

This module aims to develop an advanced understanding of modern medical genetics. It will develop fundamental principles , including the identification of disease genes, epigenetics, genome instability, cytogenetics and post-genomic approaches. These processes will be explained in the context of clinical genetics, in a manner that illustrates the variety of genetic phenomena that affect human health. The module also aims to develop a critical awareness of the ethical considerations raised by advances is clinical genetics. Content will be delivered through a mixture of lectures and workshops with discussion. In workshops, students will participate by considering the appropriate genetic analyses and techniques that should be utilised in a variety of clinical scenarios, together with the arising ethical concerns. The module is assessed by two coursework tasks.

Microbiome research is a new and important area of microbial research. This course is relevant to the full range of students in health and life sciences from ecologist to health professionals.

This module introduces advanced principles of the application of molecular approaches to the study and treatment of human disease. Selected topics, namely inherited disorders, post-genomic medicine and drug discovery, the therapeutic potential of stem cells in regenerative medicine, and diseases associated with the extracellular matrix are presented in detail. Module content will be delivered primarily via F2F lectures, and supported by interactive, F2F workshops. The module will be assessed by coursework.

Understanding protein structure and function is vital to elucidate the mechanisms of biological processes and if proteins are to be used as drug targets. For a protein to acquire function it must fold into a correct conformation. The course will cover how proteins fold into a three-dimensional conformation, and the modern techniques for determining the three-dimensional structures of proteins, including X-ray crystallography, NMR and Mass spectrometry. It will also address how proteomics is used to characterise the function of proteins. To study protein structure and functions, it is important to obtain pure protein and the module will cover how recombinant and native proteins are produced and purified. The module is taught mainly through lectures and one bioinformatics workshop. It will be assessed by continuous assessments.

This module addresses how the musculoskeletal system functions to perform whole body tasks, such as locomotion and keeping balance. It will focus on healthy normal functioning but also on sports performance, disease, and animal locomotion. The module introduces the basic principles and techniques from anatomy, physiology and mechanics that underlie musculoskeletal functioning, and applies these to gait, other daily activities, clinical biomechanics and animal locomotion. The module uses a range of online and in-person delivery methods. Assessment is a single portfolio consisting of five varied tasks which are presented in a staggered way throughout the semester.

The module gives students a broad understanding of the public health significance of tropical infectious and non-infectious diseases.

It aims to enhance awareness of the global distribution of disease and the impact of poverty induced inequalities in access to effective and affordable treatments.

Through lectures and tutorials, the module gives students a broad understanding of the public health significance of tropical infectious and non-infectious diseases. Lectures and tutorials are designed and led by international and multidisciplinary cohort of global health professionals.

Students’ progress is assessed through two summative essays (Cycle 1 and Cycle 2) that will contribute to the final mark at 40% and 60%. The essays ask the students to critically evaluate scenarios in global health by applying the knowledge and skills acquired in the module.

This module provides a review of the role of viruses as important pathogens of humans and animals. A broad overview of viral virulence mechanisms, immune evasion and vaccine development will be given followed by detailed consideration of significant groups of viruses. The module is assessed by continuous assessment.

​ This module allows students to undertake an employment placement that will be undertaken during the summer-break between Year 2 and Year 3. Students will have to find and secure their own placement, which will need to be approved by the module leader beforehand. Placements will typically be 6-8 weeks. Early in Year 2 there will be an introductory event to present the module and advise students on how to search for placement opportunities. This session will be available to all students (including those who do not wish to enrol on the placement module). Students will be encouraged to search for placements during Semester 1, with the support of Academic Advisers and the Careers and Employability Service. Other seminar activities will take place during Semester 2 of Year 2 to prepare students for the placement work. More taught sessions will be delivered in early Semester 1 of Year 3, which include lectures on relevant psychological theories and research (e.g., workplace performance, leadership, motivation) and reflective group sessions on placement experience. The module will provide students with an opportunity to develop their employability skills by direct engagement in a commercial, research, voluntary or similar professional organisation that will support future plans, develop skills and graduate attributes. Module assessments include a skill audit and reflective log to be completed before and during practical work placement, and final written recommendations-to-employer report based on reflection on the placement experience of the individual student and the wider cohort, supported by relevant employability and occupational theories.