PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
Bioprocessing of New Medicines (Science and Engineering)
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
(where stopping off points exist they should
be detailed here and defined later in the
document)
UCAS code:
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
BSc
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Engineering Sciences
Parent Department:
(the department responsible for the
administration of the programme)
Departmental web page address:
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
Length of the programme:
(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)
(see Guidance notes)
Biochemical Engineering
N/A
Intake from 2012
University College London
www.ucl.ac.uk/biochemeng/students
Full Time
A requirement for Biology A level with minimum grades ABB
3 years
Level 6
Biosciences
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/SBS-Biosciences15.pdf
Engineering
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/publications/information-andguidance/publication?PubID=2910
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme and its assessment
methods:
(see Guidance notes)
This is a three year course that looks into the translational new
technologies required to usher new medicines and therapies to the
market.
The first year will start with the fundamentals of biochemistry and cell
biology required to understand recombinant technologies used to
engineer new cell line for new therapies. This will also include some
experimental work in order to understand the assays and tests used
to monitor products in these expression systems. Furthermore,
cases studies will look at the challenges of creating new medicines,
disease states and the ethical considerations of working in the
biopharmaceutical industry.
The second year builds on much of the science and engineering
principle established in the first year, but examines in more depth the
intricate signalling structures within the human body and the immune
memory that new vaccines seek to stimulate. In addition, the student
will be required to consider the commercialisation of new medicines
with a case study business plan. They will develop their knowledge of
intellectual property and how to manage it in a global market.
The third year seeks to give the students the independence to pursue
their own research interests by allocating time for a research project.
This will be a core component of the final year, along with courses in
business planning and the bioprocessing of new medicines.
The course also allows the student to tailor their degree by offering at
least one module option every year. This allows them to move either
towards the business side of the new medicines industry or the biomolecular side.
Assessment will primarily be conducted with end of year exams and
some course work elements through the year. In the case of the
business plan and research project, these are assessed through a
final report and oral presentation.
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
Biochemical Engineering Undergraduate Exam Board
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
None
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
This programme seeks to develop the student’s interests in the challenges of producing a new medicine from
discovery in the lab to commercialisation. They will learn about the development history and generational changes
that have been associated with vaccines, antibiotics and regenerative medicines. This will create an appreciation for
the complexity of modern medicine design and the parameters that must be tightly controlled in order to ensure that
the new medicinal product passes the three check points of quality, safety and efficacy. It will allow them to
understand the dynamics of cost reduction, intellectual property and the ethical consideration pertaining to
healthcare. Such a degree could act as the foundation for further study in the field, prepare them to join the
biopharmaceutical/healthcare sector or indeed develop transferable skills to ensure the graduate is a valued
member of society.
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:
1. Cell Biology
2. Biochemistry
3. Vaccine Design
4. Regenerative Medicines
5. Bio-Ethics
6. Process Design and Commercialisation
1-4 will primarily be attained through lectures and
supplemented with small tutorial groups, classes and
self access facilities such as Moodle. Some elements of
1,2 and 4 will require lab work. 5 will be facilitated using
e-learning methods followed by small group work. Here
the strategy will be to engage the student in debate and
discussion on ethical issues relating to clinical trials,
drug discovery and bio security. 6 will be taught using
case study material and lectures. This is mainly group
work requiring the groups to delegate work objectives,
conduct research and present data. Throughout the
course students will be encouraged to conduct
independent and additional reading to enhance the
taught material.
Assessment:
All elements of 1-6 will be assessed through an end of
year exam and coursework. Elements of 2 and 4 will be
assessed through lab work and a written report. 5 will be
assessed through group discussions and essays. 6 will
additionally require and extensive literature review and
the creation and presentation of a business plan,
assessed by an industrial panel.
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1.Critical Thinking
2. Generation of a hypothesis and design
of experiments to test the hypothesis
3. Application of knowledge
4. Data Interpretation
The intellectual skills outlined are continuously
developed through the programme. With the mixture of
teaching methods and the volume of information given to
the students, they will have to evaluate and apply the
information they feel is important. The will have to draw
from several sources of knowledge and present the
information.
Assessment:
These skills are assessed through the various learning
outcomes and examinations used to test knowledge (A).
These will be in the form of extended essays, reports,
presentation and participation in tutorial groups that will
allow the assessor to evaluate the intellectual skills
developed over the course of the programme.
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. Design experiments
2. Conduct laboratory based assays and
experiments
2. Retrieve and evaluate literature from
various sources
3. Write reports and scientific papers
4. Summarise large amounts of data into
a succinct form
An induction week provides the student information on
how to access the various electronic and library
resources within College. Additionally they are supplied
with a reading list and journal list. Through the
programme they will be required to conduct essays,
business plans, cost estimates, project proposals and
lab reports, all of which will require them to use the
practical skills outlined.
Assessment:
This will be through coursework, lab reports,
presentations and essays to see if they have accessed
the most significant information and presented it in a
concise manner that is accessible and understandable
to a wide audience.
Furthermore, laboratory skills will be continuously
assess through supervision during practical work.
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. Independent working and self reliance
2. Team working and delegation
3. Effective communication
4. Statistical analysis
5. Time management
6. Evaluation and ranking of data sources
7. Critical Analysis
In addition to formal lectures, several units require group
work, while the research project and extended essay
requires the individual to take the lead. Furthermore, in
group work, one of the key challenges that students will
face is presenting a unified though or direction from a
plurality of opinions. So by analyzing the discourse they
should find the coming ground and present it.
Furthermore, the research project will require students to
design experiments, test a hypothesis and use statistics
to evaluate whether the null hypothesis is true.
Assessment:
Skills 2 and 3 are tested in group work. Skills 1 and 6
are tested through coursework and extended essay
while skills 5 and 7 are required throughout.
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/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. Tarit K. Mukhopadhyay
Name(s):
Date of Production:
04/03/2010
Date of Review:
October 2015
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
October 2015
November 2015