PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
Biological Sciences
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
MSci
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
C901
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
Intakes from 2009
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Life Sciences
Parent Department:
Division of Biosciences (Biological Sciences)
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Departmental web page address:
(if applicable)
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/lifesciences-faculty/degreeprogrammes/biological-sciences
Method of study:
Full-time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduatestudy/subjects/biolosci
Length of the programme:
Four years
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such
as study abroad or placements in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
Masters Level (Level 7)
Biosciences
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
(see guidance notes)
MSci: 4 years, 4 CU per year; assessment mainly by written
examination and assessment of coursework/project work; pass mark
for individual course units is 50%
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
Biological Sciences
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
The programme gives students a broad foundation in Biological Sciences in Year 1 and provides in-depth training in
core areas of Biological Sciences, including Zoology, Genetics, Human Genetics and Environmental Biology, in
Years 2-3. Practical experience of the subject is provided in all years. Development of intellectual and transferable
skills is encouraged in all years. The option to study abroad in Year 3 provides students with the experience of living
and studying in another country/university system and broadening their horizon, both personally and academically.
The MSci (fourth) year will provide further training in the area of specialisation, teach important research skills and
support the development of additional intellectual and key skills. MSci students are thus prepared for a career in
research but also acquire skills that are widely applicable.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding,
qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Year 1. The foundations of modern
biological sciences: cellular and
molecular biology, microbiology; genetics;
development; biodiversity; ecology and
evolution; biological inter-relationships;
experiemental design and data handling;
biologically relevant chemistry.
Acquisition of knowledge through one-hour lectures and
associated small group tutorials, practical classes,
library work and preparation of coursework. In addition
to attendance at lectures and tutorials, students are
required to study independently.
Year 2. Students take courses that reflect
their specific interest in Biological
Sciences – either the general degree, or
specialised Zoology, Human Genetics,
Genetics (see other prog. specs.). The
core areas provide the training necessary
for the development of a sound
knowledge of the subject needed in the
third year. There is also further
encouragment of independent learning.
The 1.5 cu of choice allows students to
broaden their education and my be in
Biological Sciences or from other
departments within UCL.
Year 3. Year 3 students are independent
learners and select courses after
discussion with Course Programme
Tutors.
Year 4. Year 4 students are independent
learners, with a focus on research and
select courses after discussion with
Course Programme Tutors.
Five 0.5 cu core courses are given in the second year.
Students then have 1.5 cu of choice from courses in
Biological Sciences and elsewhere within UCL.
Biological Sciences MSci students must take a literature
project in the third year, worth 1 cu. Students complete
their final year programme of 4 cu by choosing from a
list courses offered by Biological Sciences and other
departments within UCL. A total of 2.5 cu in the third
year should be in Biological Sciences.
Biological Sciences MSci students must take a research
project in the fourth year, worth 2 cu. This must include a
practical, data collection and analysis component.
Students complete their final year programme of 4 cu by
choosing from a list courses offered by Biological
Sciences and other departments within UCL. A total of
2.5 cu in the fourth year must be in Biological Sciences.
One of these will include a 0.5cu Research Skills module
(BIOLM019).
Assessment:
Students are assessed by a variety of methods, but
primarily by “unseen” examinations, coursework, a
project report and an oral presentation.
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Critical reasoning
Problem solving
Independent learning
To appreciate the cultural
background of another country.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
These skills (1-3) are acquired throughout the course.
Tutorial work and critical discussion during practical
work are important vehicles for learning. In Biological
Sciences, great importance is attached to the project
(practical or literature review) as a means of developing
these skills. In the third year of the programme, students
are considered as independent learners and have the
chance to explore the subject for themselves.
Assessment:
By coursework essay, assessed practical reports, field
course reports, project reports and project oral
presentations (as appropriate).
The year abroad will help students get familiar with life in
a different country and appreciate the culture of that
country (see skill 4).
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
The programme aims to provide students
with hands-on experience of the major
practical components of Biology. These
include good laboratory and field practise
(for those generalists who opt for courses
in field biology); observation and
experimentation; experimental design;
data analysis and interpretation; use of
internet, databases and computer
resources.
Many courses include laboratory work. Laboratory (and
field) practicals are used to teach techniques commonly
used by biologists and provide training in
experimentation and also in the use of different types of
apparatus. Practical classes also provide the opportunity
for training in the acquisition and interpretation of data.
Research skills form an important component of Year 4.
Assessment:
Through regular assessed write-ups of practical work.
Dedicated field courses result in a mixture of written
work and oral/poster presentations. The final year
research project is assessed by a project report plus an
oral presentation.
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Throughout the programme, considerable
emphasis is placed on the acquisition of
skills that are relevant both to Biology and
more generally. These include IT skills;
reading and critical evaluation of
published research material; quantitative
skills; a range of very general skills such
as effective communication, oral
presentation; the ability to work
independently; self- management;
production of a CV, etc
Development of transferable skills is fostered during all
courses in the programme. There are two dedicated
compulsory Key Skills courses, one in each of the first
two years, plus personal tutorials where transferable
skills are audited and targets are set and assessed.
Development of transferable skills is supported by UCL’s
extensive Key Skills website:
www.ucl.ac.uk/keyskills
Assessment:
During the year abroad, students will
need to develop good organisational and
life management skills; this includes the
ability to manage their finances, finding a
place to live, navigating their way through
a different academic system and a new
culture etc.
Key Skills are assessed on a Pass/Fail basis.
Transferable skills are assessed through the normal
methods of assessment in all courses, as above.
All students attend one-two tutorial meetings with their
personal tutors each term to discuss
progress/difficulties. Discussion centres around a
proforma on skills and on personal progress that
students can download, complete and bring to tutorials.
The various skills needed to settle into a new country
and a different academic environment will be developed
during the year abroad. Students will be able to discuss
any difficulties with the Study Abroad Tutor. They will
also need to keep a diary during their time abroad, which
will be revised by and discussed with the Study Abroad
Tutor.
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Framework-Higher-Education-Qualifications-08.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements (http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-qualitycode/subject-benchmark-statements);
 the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
 UCL teaching and learning policies;
 staff research.
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 he/she takes
full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the
departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually
by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s)
Dr Hazel Smith
Name(s):
Date of Production:
October 2009
Date of Review:
January 2015
Date approved by Head of
Department:
January 2015
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
January 2015
January 2015