Overview of the programmes
The programmes are built on a unit (modular) structure. You will take:
- 9 Lecture-based units over the year
- 2 practical units
- A tutorial unit over the year
Practical Units in Year 1
In the first semester, all you will undertake the 10-credit unit BIOL10401 (Introduction to Laboratory Science). This introductory practical unit is designed to introduce you to some of the techniques and skills required to explore biological systems experimentally at the biomolecular, cellular and organismal levels. The experiments have been selected to introduce fundamental techniques used in biological research – in particular, microscopy, spectrophotometry, gel electrophoresis and a range of techniques used in biomedical experimentation. You will have 5 x 5-hour laboratory sessions throughout the semester (one timetabled every two weeks); each laboratory session will be preceded by an online pre-laboratory exercise and will be followed by online post-laboratory work.
In the second semester, depending on their degree programme, students will either do a laboratory-based practical units or a field course. Various field courses will be availab
le for Biology, Plant Science and Zoology students and further information can be found here. The other students will do, depending on their discipline either BIOL10412 (Introduction to experimental biology – Molecular and Cellular Biology stream), or BIOL10422 (Introduction to experimental biology – Human Biology stream). Both units consist of 12 x 3 hour laboratory sessions run throughout the semester from week 2 to week 9. Life Sciences students will be able to choose their unit and Biology students will be able to do a lab-based unit if they do not want to do a field course.