Life Sciences
At the University of Dundee
1
© Jose Ordaz- Ortiz
© Ijsbrand
Kramer
© HEA Biosciences: Tom Tregenza
2
© Ijsbrand Kramer
What are the Dundee Life Sciences?
Biological Sciences and
Biomedical Sciences
Molecular, cellular, organismal
 microbes to man
 animals to plants
“Dundee is one of the
prize catches in
higher education.”
Sunday Times, 2009
3
What does it look like?
Level 3
Biological
Sciences
Core skills
and knowledge
Biomedical
Sciences
4 year
3 year Degree
Degree
Entry at
Entry at
Level 2
Level 1 A levels, Advanced
Scottish Highers, IB, Scots.
Highers
Bacc. HNC
BSc
Possible year in industry
Levels 1
and 2
Level 4
Specialist
Honours
focus
Level 5
Integrated
Masters
Professional
Development
with strong
research
focus
BSc with
Honours
MSci
4
What specialist subjects might
you study?
Biomedical Sciences
• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Physiological
Sciences
• Sports Biomedicine
Biological Sciences
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Biochemistry
Bioinformatics
Drug Discovery
Cell and Developmental
Biology
Cell Signalling
Immunology
Microbiology
Molecular Biology
Molecular Genetics
Plant Sciences
5
Schools of Teaching & of Research – two
teams with a common teaching aim – your
excellent education
The College of Life Sciences at
the University of Dundee
houses one of Europe’s most
prestigious research institutes
and is a magnet for the most
talented scientists from around
the world.
• Over 860 Scientists and
Support Staff
•Representing 58 different
countries
• Research funding
currently exceeding
£35 million per annum
6
Teaching by worldclass researchers
Professor Sue Black:
Forensic Anthropology
Professor Mike
Ferguson:
Tropical Diseases
Dr Nicola Stanley-Wall:
Biofilms
One of the top 200 Universities
in the world (2010)!
Professor Kate Storey:
Stem Cells
The College of Life Science has 20 Fellows of the Royal Society
7
of Edinburgh and 6 Fellows of the Royal Society of London
Final year Research Project:
A biochemist + a medicinal chemist + a computational chemist + an organic chemist
Designed a project based on their latest data and ideas - part of a £1.8 million
project.
The aim: to make new molecules to interfere with an enzyme in the parasite that
causes Human African sleeping sickness.
Performed by: Ms Lauren Webster, recent
graduate
Fate
- PhD in drug
discovery
8
Integrated Masters
Semester or Year
Abroad
(year 2 or 3)
Further advanced study
to prepare you for a
career in science
research worldwide.
See how it works
elsewhere, and
bring that
knowledge and
experience back
Year in Industry
Working in a
company: it will
change your
views and
prepare you for
Plus partners in
your future
Denmark, Netherlands,
Singapore and Hong 9Kong
Life Sciences at Dundee
Times Higher Education Student
• New curriculum
Experience Survey,
• Emphasises
April 2012
Dundee, #1 in UK!!!!
– Skills
February 2011
– Labs
Dundee, #1 in Scotland!
– Core knowledge
January 2010
– Problem solving Dundee, #1 in Scotland!
– Personal development
• Challenging but satisfying
10
Life Sciences
Course structure
Matriculation week- students meet their
adviser of studies and all other new students
at a series of formal and informal events
Engaging students in research
Prepare Challenge
Discover
Levels 1
and 2
Level 3
Level 4
Biological
Sciences
Specialist
Honours
focus
Core skills
and knowledge
Biomedical
Sciences
Level 5
Integrated
Masters
Professional
Development
with strong
research
focus
Research Project
Level 1
(entry point for students with Highers)
• In both semesters students take two theory
and two practical modules
• These start the preparation stage of the
course
• Students keep a record of all their skills –
practical, numerical and communication skills
• Lecturers are specialist teachers and the
majority are Fellows of the HEA and possess
teaching qualifications as well as PhDs in
their specialist science area
Structure of level 1
SEMESTER 1
SEMESTER 2
BS11001 theory module 10cr
BS12001 theory module 10cr
BS11002 theory module 10cr
BS12002 theory module 10cr
BS11003 practical module
10cr
BS12003 practical module
10cr
BS11004 practical module
10cr
BS12004 project module 10cr
Optional 20 credits –
languages, maths,
psychology, philosophy,
environmental science
Optional 20 credits –
languages, maths,
psychology, philosophy,
environmental science
Level 2
(entry point for students with AH or A levels)
•
•
•
•
Preparation for specialist study continues
Optional module in semester one only
Skills record continually updated
Progression fair in semester two- meet the
researchers and find out more about the
specialist areas of study available
• Most usual year to undertake either one
semester or whole year exchange to another
institution in Europe, North America or Asia
Structure of level 2
SEMESTER 1
BS21001 theory module 10cr
SEMESTER 2
BS22001 Biomedical
Sciences theory 20cr
BS21002 theory module 10cr
BS21003 practical module
10cr
BS21004 practical module
10cr
Optional 20 credits –languages,
maths, psychology,
environmental science, anatomy,
sports science, skills for
industry etc.
BS22002 Biological Sciences
theory 20cr
BS22003 practical module
20cr
Level 3
• Students study in either Biomedical or
Biological routes (but can take options in
both routes)
• Taught almost exclusively by active
researchers
• Encouraged to apply for summer research
projects and internships
Biological Sciences Curriculum
SEMESTER 2
Level 3
Block C Weeks 15 to 19
Block D Weeks 21 to 25
SEMESTER 1
Block A Weeks 1 to 5
Molecular structure
and interactions
Genetics
Block B Weeks 7 to 12
Biochemistry &
Cell Biology
Gene
Regulation and
Expression
Students must take either three of these plus
One Biomed. Module or all four
Molecular
Microbiology
Applied
Bioinformatics
Cell Signalling
Plant Sciences
Cell &
Developmental
biology
Immunology
Organic synthesis
Drug Discovery
Practical Module 1
Project 1 to 3
Practical Module 1
Project 4 to 7
Non-teaching week : Week 6
Non-timetabled week : Week 20
Practical modules = 2 x 15 credits
Theoretical modules = 4 x 15 credits
Students must take a minimum of four modules
and select three theory modules and one
practical project based module. Alternatively
students may wish to select one of their chosen
theory modules from the range of optional
modules available in the Biomedical Sciences
stream where timetabling allow
Biomedical Stream Curriculum Level 3
SEMESTER 1
Phys/Phrm/Neu/SBM 1
Phys 2
Neurophysiology
Endocrine Control
of Body
Homeostasis
Pharm/Neuro 1
Pharm/Neuro 2
SEMESTER 2
Phys 3
Phys 4
Respiratory / Renal GI / Nutrition
Pharm/Neuro 3
Pharm/Neuro 4
1
Pharmacology 2
Molecular Pharmacology Neuropharmacology Systems PharmacologySystems
SB 1 (CES 1)
SB 2 (CES 2)
SB 3 (SETS 1)
SB 4 (SETS 2)
Anatomy
&Physiology
Hons)
– 4modules
x15 credit
modules and 2 x
Phys students
– 4 x(Joint
15 credit
Phys
andPhys
4 x 15
30PhN/SB/Biological
credit Gross Anatomy
modules
modules
Biological structure for level 4
SEMESTER
1
SEMESTER 2
Weeks 15 to 19
25
Plant
Sciences
Research module including Honours Drug Discovery
Project and attendance at research
seminars, lab meetings etc.60 credits
Immunology
Gene
Regulation
and
Expression
Research seminars to be
integral part of assessment –
compulsory attendance at
seminars – write abstracts
Weeks 21Cell and
Developmental
Biology
Molecular
Microbiology
Bioinformatics
Cell Signalling
Students must take at least two specialism modules whic
follow on from the level 3 semester 2 specialism choices
plus they may take a further two level 3 specialist module
Biomed. Module(s)
Research module = 60 credits
Theory Modules = 4 x 15 credits
Biomedical structure Level 4
SEMESTER 1
Integrative Physiology
Sensing and
Signalling in
Physiological
Systems
SB Specialist
Pharmacology/
Neuroscience
Pharmacology/
Neuroscience
Project
SEMESTER 2
Nutrient
Transport and
Signalling
(NTS)
Oxygen Uptake
and Utilization
(OUU)
Exercise and
Training Science
(ETS)
Pharmacology/
Neuroscience
Sensory Neurones &
Peripheral Nervous System
(SN)
Heart and
Circulation
(HC)
Cancer and
Exercise (C&E)
Physiotherapy (FYS)
Pharmacology/
Neuroscience
And finally from me
• Thank you again for coming
• Enjoy the rest of your visit
• Please ask questions – the more
you know, the better choice you
can make
23