PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
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AWARD and COURSE TITLE
INTERMEDIATE AWARDS
BSc(Hons) in Biotechnology (Top-up)
Name of Teaching Institution
Sheffield Hallam University
Faculty and Department
Health and Wellbeing
BSc Biosciences
Department of Biosciences
Mode(s) of Attendance
(eg. FT/PT/SW/DL)
UCAS CODE
Full time/Part-time
J702
Professional/Statutory/Regulatory
Body Recognising this
Programme
QAA Subject Benchmark
Statement or other relevant
external reference point
Bioscience Subject Benchmark (2007)
Date of Validation
25 June 2012
1
PROGRAMME AIMS
The BSc(Hons) programme aims to
1.1
provide a top-up award to students with an appropriate HND/diploma focused
on the needs of international students
1.2
provide a stimulating, challenging and enjoyable experience of studying
biotechnology
1.3
provide a broad and balanced study of a range of fundamental and applied
topics required for the understanding of biotechnology
1.4
develop an in depth knowledge and understanding of molecular,
environmental, biomedical, pharmaceutical and plant aspects of
biotechnology
1.5
develop up to date practical skills within a culture of active research
1.6
develop research skills by undertaking a major research project as an integral
aspect of this degree scheme
1.7
provide opportunities to apply skills and knowledge to solve problems
2
PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES
2.1
Knowledge and understanding covered within the Programme. By the
end of the BSc(Hons) programme you will be able to
2.1.1 identify, explain and critically evaluate facts and concepts relevant to
fundamental and applied aspects of relevant areas of molecular and systems
biology to underpin understanding of biotechnology
2.1.2 critically discuss key concepts of molecular and cell biology that underpin
applications of biotechnology
2.1.3 explain and evaluate biotechnological procedures to study and manipulate
genomes, and critically evaluate their potential applications
2.1.4 explain the application of biotechnologies to the development of new products
and processes
2.2
Intellectual/Subject/Professional/Key skills covered within the
Programme. By the end of the BSc(Hons) programme you will be able to
2.2.1 select, retrieve, review and critically evaluate relevant information from a
variety of sources, draw reasoned conclusions and sustainable judgements,
and reference and cite sources appropriately.
2.2.2 carry out laboratory procedures in a safe, professional and effective manner,
keep appropriate records and follow protocols to test a hypothesis or obtain
diagnostic results
2.2.3 design experiments, interpret scientific data and information and apply
appropriate numerical skills including statistical methods, and make effective
use of IT and information management skills
2.2.4 review relevant research and current practice and critically evaluate the
methods used, the results obtained, and the conclusions drawn and
demonstrate your ability to synthesise learning from a variety of sources
2.2.5 learn independently and reflect upon your learning to critically evaluate your
own performance and review how this affects future learning and potential
employment
2.2.6 communicate information and support an argument by a variety of written, oral
and visual means, effectively utilising appropriate IT and information
management tools, and present the findings of investigations, analyse and
discuss these results and summarise the conclusions.
2.2.7 manage your time and resources working both independently and as a
member of a group
2.2.8 apply your knowledge and skills to solving problems
3
LEARNING, TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT
3.1
The approach to Learning and Teaching within the Programme
A vibrant, challenging but supportive learning environment has been designed by the
course team. Lectures in core subjects are integrated with laboratory work and skill
development supported by academic tutorials. As you progress through the course
you will systematically acquire the skills required for you to learn with increasing
independence so that you can continue to learn and develop after successful
completion of your degree. The course is designed to embed professional skills and
so develop you for future employment.
You will prepare for and attend lectures, laboratory classes and small group tutorials,
undertake group activities and learn how to improve your understanding and skills by
reviewing your own work and that of fellow students. We expect you to participate in
all timetabled activities and you must normally attend a minimum of 70% of classes.
Attending and participating in the practical classes and research project is central to
your course as it is where you will develop not only practical skills but also learn to
keep effective records, analyse data, design and plan procedures and work both
independently and with others.
The laboratory classes are whole day activities and are based around extended
topics over several days. These lead to a major research project during the final
semester.
We also make extensive use of 'BlackBoard' an on-line virtual learning environment
(VLE). This system accessed via the student portal, Shuspace which also provides
access to information about a whole range of University services including
timetables, rules and regulations, assessment schedules and the library catalogue
and on-line publications. This system can be accessed from any internet-connected
computer or tablet and in a mobile version to most smart-phones. All course
modules will use Blackboard in some of the following ways:
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undertake on-line learning activities
complete on-line assessments
carry out private study to address your individual needs
work with others to carry out group work
communicate with staff and your fellow students
submit work and receive feedback
Slides from lectures and powerpoint, video and audio content relating to taught
materials will be available via the individual module blackboard sites. Important
reference materials will be indexed or linked and assignment submission and
academic integrity tools will also be accessible on the sites. Various group work
resources such as individual group sites containing a file-sharing service, a blog site,
discussion boards and wiki's will be made available. Course announcements and
important resources information will be presented on the course blackboard site, as
will contact information for the course and module leadership teams and details on
how to contact academic tutors.
In addition to individual module sites the course will have a Blackboard 'Organisation'
site which provides information and communication across your whole year of study.
You will be supported in your learning by an academic tutor who will work in
conjunction with your course leader and specialist staff from individual modules to
help you make the most from the learning activities. Regular academic tutorials will
provide discussion on key aspects of employability as identified by their laboratory
experience and planning and professional skills development. Additional support on
literature research skills, job application processes and interview technique will be
provided by the Adsetts centre and integration into professional development classes
with our MSc students will offer guidance on best practice with exams and
coursework.
3.2
The approach to Assessment and Feedback within the Programme
Assessment of your learning will include both continuous assessment in the form of
coursework completed out of classes, short in class tests and formal examinations.
Some examinations will include 'preseen' topics so that you can learn and prepare in
depth for these questions.
Some assessment tasks will be formative in that they will not provide marks towards
your degree but will provide feedback to enable you to improve your performance in
summative assessments later in the year, i.e assessments with marks contributing to
your degree. You will also take part in in some self-assessment and peerassessment activities which will develop your abilities to assess your own work and
so improve your knowledge, understanding and communication skills.
Coursework will include the writing of case-studies, proposals, reports on practical
activities including the preparation of work in the form of scientific papers and
posters. Some assessments will be based on a portfolio of evidence collected during
a period of study including a range of related activities. You will also be assessed on
your ability to reflect on your performance and your plans for improvement or
consolidation of your abilities. Most work will be word processed and some will
include the use of spreadsheets and presentation software. You will also reference
information sources in a standard format. Some assessment tasks may include
giving short talks or oral presentation of information. Some tasks will involve the use
of on-line systems including those of the ‘Blackboard’ virtual learning environment
(VLE).
Summative Assessment for BSc (Hons) Biotechnology (Top up)
Level 6
Formal lab report
In-depth case studies
Biotechnology proposal
Research skills and notebook
Project report and viva/presentation
Examinations
Most work will be individual but some will involve working with others in small groups.
You will get feedback on your work in a variety of forms. This will include individual
written and oral comments about your work and how future work can be improved.
For some large coursework tasks eg a project report, feedback on draft work will be
provided to enable you to enhance your final submission.
Generic feedback to the class about common mistakes and how to produce work to a
high standard will also be provided in some cases. This may include feedback given
via the Blackboard VLE. The feedback is to help you improve future work which may
be later in that module, in another module, or in a later year of the course.
The timing of feedback for exams and summative assessment will be in line with
university policy.
Written work submitted for assessment will normally be checked electronically for
plagiarism and collusion to ensure that it is your own work. You will be able to check
draft work yourself before formal submission.
3.3
How Student Employability is supported within the Programme
As a learner at Sheffield Hallam you will be entitled to, and be expected to engage
with as part of your course of study, three inter connected elements. These are
shown in the table below with an indication of the main way we support these during
your course.
Most of the students on this programme are expected to be international. The
teaching on this degree scheme will integrate students from a variety of backgrounds
and will deliver a global perspective on the biotechnology industry which will provide
a strong foundation for future employment in this sector. This will include specific
work
The eight-week full-time research project in semester three, supervised by leading
researchers in the field of biotechnology, will provide you with an opportunity to
develop specific technical skills which are directly transferrable to a career in
biotechnology and biotechnology related industries.
Entitlement
Supporting activities
Well structured,
supported and
accredited workrelated or work-based
learning
Work-related content will be included in all modules in this
programme and the research project module will involve the
utilisation and development of processes and techniques routinely
used commercially and industrially in the biotechnology sector
Development of highlevel employabilityrelated transferable
‘skills’ and attributes
embedded within the
curriculum
We specifically enhance your employability within the Advancing
Cell and Molecular Biology module which integrates it with
laboratory skills development. In this module you will prepare and
reflect on your professional development. You will complete
industrially applicable problem-based learning exercises, develop
your skills in information technology and enhance your literature
searching skills.
You will undertake a full-time project period in which you will
develop, enhance, and consolidate skills which are valued by
employers. These include areas such as problem solving,
independent working, application of knowledge and integration of
information from a variety of sources.
Integrated and
timetabled career
planning and
preparation for
employment
You will undertake an extended induction covering aspects of
career planning and relevant skills development.
Personal and
professional
development planning
and personal
academic tutorial
support to monitor
their progress and
support your transition
to the world of work
Your academic tutor will guide you in your career planning and
personal development assisted by a member of staff in the
department who is responsible for enhancing employability and by
staff with specialist knowledge of potential employment areas or
relevant further study.
This is also embedded into the Advancing Cell and Molecular
Biology module.
Courses run in conjuction with the Adsetts centre on research skills
and job application processes will enhance graduate employability
and are embedded in the extended induction.
3.4
Main Type of Work-related Learning featured in this Programme
Work-related Learning
All routes: Laboratory and Research Project work
4
PROGRAMME DESIGN AND STRUCTURE
Course Structure.
Full time route
The course consists of four core 20 credit modules covering fundamental and applied
topics in biotechnology encompassing environmental, industrial and biomedical
applications. You will engage in activities that will enhance your employability and
you will reflect on your skill development and potential areas of employment. The
year is completed with a 40 credit research project in a biotechnology-related field.
This programme aims to provide the knowledge base, research tools and laboratory
skills required for specialisation as a biotechnologist.
BSc (Hons) Biotechnology (Top up)
Level 6
Semester 1
Advancing Cell
and Molecular
Biology (20
credits)
Applied
Biochemistry
(20 credits)
Semester 2
Environmental
Biotechnology
(20 credits)
Semester 3
Plant
Research Project (40
Biotechnology (20 credits)
credits)
Part-time route:
Students will take modules as they are scheduled for the full-time route.
You can take the BSc(Hons) course part-time over 2 years although this is not
available for international students.
5
PROGRESSION/CAREER ROUTES
Possible progression or career routes after you have completed this
programme include
Biotechnology graduates are employed in a wide range of biologically based
industries. A wide range of international industries require biotechnologists
including pharmaceutical, food and agrochemical manufacturing and
processing businesses. Some graduates continue on specialised MSc
courses, some to obtain entry into related professions. Graduates also go into
research, some via a PhD programme.
6
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND ENTRY PROFILE
6.1.1
Specific Entry Requirements for entry to the initial stage of this programme are
Academic
Qualifications
including GCE A /
AS level grades
and subjects,
where applicable
Level of English
language
capability
Any other
specific, formally
certified
qualifications (eg.
BTEC HNs)
Previous relevant
work or workrelated experience
Any specific
articulation
arrangements
recognised for
this programme
Professional
qualifications
Any other specific
entry
requirements
Not applicable
If English is not your first language you must
have an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of
5.5 in all skills or equivalent. If your English
language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we
recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam
University Pre-sessional English course which
will enable you to achieve an equivalent English
score.
BTEC National Diploma
HND
International equivalent of 240 credits as
determined by NARIC and mapped to the
indicative content and learning outcomes
specified in section 6.1.2
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
6.1.2 Prerequisite Content of Prior Qualification
Students will be expected to have covered equivalent indicative content and
achieved comparable learning outcomes during their prior HND/diploma-equivalent
qualification which map to the list of examples outlined below. The department of
Biosciences will establish a database of suitable qualifications from partner
institutions for entry to this programme. Qualifications from non-partner institutions
will be assessed for prerequisite suitability on a case by case basis by comparing the
content and skills learned with the example indicative content and learning outcomes.
Indicative Content of Prior Study
Introduction to key bioscience disciplines (biochemistry, cell biology, molecular
biology, microbiology)
Basic chemistry eg: water cycle, nitrogen cycle, carbon cycle & nutrient cycle,
knowledge of ionic and covalent bonds; dipolar molecules; solvents; pH & buffers,
osmolarity; basic atomic structure, isotopes and use of the periodic table
Molecular biology, clinical molecular genetic methods including PCR and real-time PCR
Biomolecules - Amino acids, protein structure and folding, Nucleic acids and
recombinant DNA Technology, Sugars and polysaccharides, Lipids and membranes
Mechanisms of enzyme action
Metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and nitrogen containing compounds.
Expression and transmission of genetic information
Cell Biology: Life cycle, division, self-replication and death.
Principles and applications of visualisation and imaging techniques.
Genetics: identification and regulation of genes.
Fermentation processes.
Cell and tissue preparation, histology immunohistochemistry and microscopy
Immunological techniques (ELISA, Flow cytometry, Luminex based methods)
Analytical techniques used to analyse biological samples.
Separation techniques such as chromatography and mass spectrometry.
Concepts of specificity, sensitivity and calibration. Need for sample preparation of
biological samples.
Study a range of bio-molecules (ions to atoms to organic molecules to
macromolecules + water) and their bonds and relate this to methods of quantification
and description
Study of the properties of water and gain an appreciation of pH and buffers, and
other solvents.
Bio-analytical methods - immunoassay types, enzyme assays (substrate & activity),
biosensors.
Calculations and numerical manipulation necessary to chemically, analyse biological
samples, e.g. molarity, concentration, ppm etc
Interrelate the theory of analytical techniques with the chemistry of the moiety under
investigation
Structure and chemical properties of lipids, amino acids, proteins, enzymes, DNA,
RNA, and carbohydrates
Structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells their walls and membranes
Structure and function of organelles peroxisomes, lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum
and mitochondria
Vaccination and immunotherapy
Independent study skills and the retrieval and assessment of scientific information
Learning Outcomes of Prior Study
As based on the BSc(Hons) in Biosciences validation document.
Knowledge and understanding
You will be able to
identify and explain facts and concepts from a range of fundamental underpinning
areas of biotechnology, by both coursework and examination
identify and explain by both coursework and examination a range of concepts related
to biotechnology topics
explain procedures to commercialise biological processes
explain and evaluate relevant laboratory findings
demonstrate an awareness of social and ethical aspects of biotechnology
Intellectual/Subject/Professional/Key skills covered within the Diploma award.
You will be able to
select, retrieve and review relevant information from a variety of sources, draw
reasoned conclusions and reference and cite sources appropriately.
carry out laboratory procedures in a safe, professional and effective manner, keep
appropriate records and follow protocols to test a hypothesis
carry out experiments, interpret scientific data and information and apply appropriate
numerical skills, including statistical methods and make effective use of IT and
information management skills
review relevant facts and current practice, the results obtained, and the conclusions
drawn and demonstrate your ability to use learning from a variety of sources
learn independently and reflect upon your learning to evaluate your own performance
communicate information by a variety of written, oral and visual means, effectively
utilising appropriate IT and information management tools, and present the findings
of basic investigations, analyse and discuss these results and summarise the
conclusions.
demonstrate an awareness of professional standards and ethical issues in the
biosciences
manage your time and resources working both independently and as a member of a
group
apply your knowledge and skills to solving problems
6.2
APPLICANT ENTRY PROFILE: the knowledge, skills and qualities etc.
required to enable you to benefit from, and succeed on the programme
of study
The Admissions team are looking for well rounded individuals who are
interested in applied aspects of this bioscience subject. Individuals with the
ability to cope with learning in a variety of settings during a multi-disciplinary
course and the determination to succeed will be successful on this
programme. You must want to achieve the learning outcomes of the
programme and develop into a self-motivated, reflective graduate.
You need to demonstrate an ability to
 study academic subjects at degree level
 debate topics and issues
 draw on conclusions from written material
 study independently as well as a member of a group
 use computers and technology associated with contemporary teaching,
learning and assessment methods
 successfully complete a range of assignments including researched
essays and examinations
 must be willing and able to engage in a substantial amount of
laboratory based work
6.3
Use of Prior Credit (APCL/APEL): prior certificated credit or prior
experiential credit may be used within the Programme in the following
ways
Not applicable.