Biomedical Science - BSc (Hons)

with a Year Abroad

This course will provide an introduction to biomolecules in living matter. The simplicity of the building blocks of macromolecules (amino acids, monosaccharides, fatty acids and purine and pyrimidine bases) will be contrasted with the enormous variety and adaptability that is obtained with the different macromolecules (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids). The nature of the electronic and molecular structure of macromolecules and the role of non-covalent interactions in an aqueous environment will be highlighted. The unit will be delivered though lectures, formative practicals and related feedback sessions to ensure students fully understand what is expected of them. Short tests (formative assessment) will be used throughout the unit to test students' knowledge and monitor that the right material has been extracted from the lectures.

This course aims to introduce the 'workers' present in all cells – enzymes, and their role in the chemical reactions that make life possible.

The fundamental characteristics of enzymes will be discussed – that they are types of protein that act as catalysts to speed up reactions, or make unlikely reactions more likely. Methods for analysis of enzymic reactions will be introduced (enzyme kinetics). Control of enzyme activity, and enzyme inhibition will be discussed.

Following on from this the pathways of intermediary metabolism will be introduced. Enzymes catalyse many biochemical transformations in living cells, of which some of the most fundamental are those which capture energy from nutrients. Energy capture by the breakdown (catabolism) of complex molecules and the corresponding formation of NADH, NADPH, FADH2 and ATP will be described. The central roles of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation in aerobic metabolism will be detailed. The pathways used in animals for catabolism and biosynthesis (anabolism) of some carbohydrates and fat will be covered, as well as their control. Finally how humans adapt their metabolism to survive starvation will be discussed.

This module addresses key themes and experimental techniques in molecular and cellular illustrated by examples from a range of microbes animals and plants . It covers basic cell structure, and organisation including organelles and their functions, cytoskeleton, cell cycle control and cell division. The control of all living processes by genetic mechanisms is introduced and an opportunity to handle and manipulate genetic material provided in the laboratory. Monitoring of students' knowledge and progress will be provided by a multi-choice test and the laboratory report, with feedback.

This module will consider the anatomy and function of normal tissues, organs and systems and then describe their major pathophysiological conditions. It will consider the aetiology of the condition, its biochemistry and its manifestation at the level of cells, tissues and the whole patient. It may also cover the diagnosis and treatment of the disease condition. Indicative topics will include:

Cells and tissues

Membrane dynamics

Cell communication and homeostasis

Introduction to the nervous system

The cardiovascular system

The respiratory system

The immune system and inflammation

Blood cells and clotting

The Urinary system

The digestive system, liver and pancreas.

Subject-based and communication skills are relevant to all the bioscience courses. This module allows you to become familiar with practical skills, the analysis and presentation of biological data and introduces some basic mathematical and statistical skills as applied to biological problems. It also introduces you to the computer network and its applications and covers essential skills such as note-taking and essay writing.

Students with A2 Chemistry (equivalent) on entry take Phases 2+3+4. Biology students with A2 Chemistry (or equivalent) will obtain additional chemical concepts (Phase 4) as their chemistry qualification at A2 will already furnish them with concepts from Phase 1. All students will participate in the core section: Phase 2.

Phases 2+3+4 students will use the Phase 1 coursework test as a formative assessment to recognise their required chemical knowledgebase as obtained at A2 level. This provides an opportunity to identify students requiring additional support.

This module links to Biological Chemistry A with identically designed phases (1, 2 and 3) to maximise teaching efficiency across all programs in the School of Biosciences.

Phase 2: Autumn Term (9 lectures, 2 x 2 hr Workshop, 3 extra support lectures)

Chemical and biochemical thermodynamics. Topics covered are: (i) energetic and work, (ii) enthalpy, entropy and the laws of thermodynamics (iii) Gibbs free energy, equilibrium and spontaneous reactions, (iv) Chemical and biochemical equilibrium (including activity versus concentration and Le Chatelier's principle). The two hour workshop is designed to be delivered as small group sessions to cover the applications and practice of thermodynamics concepts.

Chemistry applied to biological concepts: bonding, valence, hybridisation as well as biological applied thermodynamic process (biomolecular association/dissociation).

Assessment feedback (1 session/lecture)

Phase 3: Spring Term (17 lectures, 2 x 2 hr workshop)

Fundamental organic chemistry with biological examples. Topics covered: (i) Introduction and basic functional chemistry, (ii) Isomerism and stereochemistry, (iii) Reaction mechanisms, (iv) Alkanes/alkyl halides/alkenes/alkynes, (v) Aromatic compounds, (vi) Heterocyclic compounds, (vii) Amines and alcohols (viii) Carbonyl compounds and carboxylic acids and (ix) Biological inorganic chemistry. The two workshops is designed to be delivered as small group sessions to cover the applications of reaction mechanisms and reaction schemes.

Phase 4: Spring Term (8 lectures, 2 x 1 hr workshop).

Students without A2Chemistry (equivalent) on entry take Phases 1+2+3. N.B. Students with A2Chemistry or equivalent below grade C will follow Phases 1+2+3This approach allows fundamental concepts (Phase 1) to be taught to non-A2Chemistry students. All students will participate in the core section: Phase 2.This module links to Biological Chemistry A with identically designed phases(1, 2 and 3) to maximise teaching efficiency across all programs in the Schoolof Biosciences.

Phase 1: Autumn Term (5 lectures, 6 x 2 hr Workshops)Basic chemical concepts for biology will be taught and applied through examplesin a workshop atmosphere. The five workshop topics covered are: (i) Atoms andstates of matter (ii) valence and bonding (iii) basic organic chemistry forbiologists (iv) molecular shapes and isomerism in biology and (iv) chemicalreactivity and chemical equations.Assessment feedback of basic chemistry (1 session/lecture) 

Phase 2: Autumn Term (9 lectures, 2 x 2 hr Workshop, 3 extra support lectures)Chemical and biochemical thermodynamics. Topics covered are: (i) energetic andwork, (ii) enthalpy, entropy and the laws of thermodynamics (iii) Gibbs freeenergy, equilibrium and spontaneous reactions, (iv) Chemical and biochemicalequilibrium (including activity versus concentration and Le Chatelier'sprinciple). The two hour workshop is designed to be delivered as small groupsessions to cover the applications and practice of thermodynamics concepts.Chemistry applied to biological concepts: bonding, valence, hybridisation aswell as biological applied thermodynamic process (biomolecularassociation/dissociation).Assessment feedback (1 session/lecture) 

Phase 3: Spring Term (17 lectures, 2 x 2 hr workshop)Fundamental organic chemistry with biological examples. Topics covered: (i)Introduction and basic functional chemistry, (ii) Isomerism andstereochemistry, (iii) Reaction mechanisms, (iv) Alkanes/alkylhalides/alkenes/alkynes, (v) Aromatic compounds, (vi) Heterocyclic compounds,(vii) Amines and alcohols (viii) Carbonyl compounds and carboxylic acids and(ix) Biological inorganic chemistry. The two workshops is designed to bedelivered as small group sessions to cover the applications of reactionmechanisms and reaction schemes.

This module is an introduction to Mendelian genetics and also includes human pedigrees, quantitative genetics, and mechanisms of evolution.

This module will consider the anatomy and function of the immune system and immunopathology and then consider the diseases and microorganisms that affect the different organs and tissues of the human body. Indicative topics will include inflammation, innate and adaptive immunity to pathogens, immune defence mechanisms against bacterial, viral and parasitic infections, antibody classes and functions, antigen processing and presentation, complement, the generation of antibody diversity, cell communication and immunopathology, including autoimmunity, hypersensitivity and transplant rejection. In the medical microbiology section of the module, indicative topics will include epidemiology, virology, parasitology, fungal infections, skin infections, GI tract infections, CNS infections, respiratory tract infections, UTI and STD infections.

Reproductive System: Male and female reproductive systems; Endocrine control of reproduction; Fertilisation; Early embryogenesis; Pregnancy and Parturition; Reproductive disorders.

Muscle: Muscle types: skeletal, smooth and cardiac; Structure of muscle; Molecular basis of contraction; Regulation of contraction including neural control; Energy requirements of muscle; Types of movement: reflex, voluntary, rhythmic; Muscle disorders.

Nervous System: Cells of the nervous system- neurons and glia; Electrical properties of neurons- action potential generation and conduction; Synaptic structure and function- transmitters and receptors; Structural organization of the central nervous system (CNS) and function of individual regions; Organization and function of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)- somatic motor, autonomic (sympathetic and parasympathetic) and sensory; Sensory systems- vision, hearing, taste, smell, pain. Disorders of the nervous system.

Endocrine System: Endocrine glands; Classes of hormones; Mechanisms of hormone action; Regulation of hormone release; Endocrine disorders.

Introduction and basic principles of drug action: key drug targets including major receptor subtypes, ion channels, transporters, and structure-function relationships.

Systems pharmacology: the biological basis of diseases states affecting different physiological systems, therapeutic approaches to treating these diseases, and the cellular/molecular mode of action of drugs used. Indicative diseases may include hypertension, asthma, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, infertility, depression and anxiety.

This module covers the general principles of metabolic disorders and focuses on pathways, enzyme mechanisms, and diseases associated with:

Energy metabolism

Amino acid/nucleotide metabolism

The urea cycle

Cholesterol metabolism

Vitamin metabolism

Heme synthesis/breakdown.

This module will introduce the student to two of the four main branches of laboratory medicine, Clinical Biochemistry and Cellular Pathology, and begin to develop the skills students will require to work effectively and safely within a clinical setting.

Clinical Biochemistry:

The use of the laboratory, quality assurance and techniques (including Instrumentation and Automation, Clinical Applications, Antigen-Antibody Reactions, Separation techniques) will be introduced using the various screening and testing procedures as below.

Screening for disease – concepts, rationale and screening programmes, application of biochemical techniques to paediatrics and inborn errors of metabolism, tumour markers, liver function, iron and porphyrias, enzymes and their use in laboratory medicine, clinical applications of protein biochemistry, nutrition in health and disease, lipids and atherosclerosis.

Cellular Pathology:

Application of histological and cytological techniques in a clinical setting including cell and tissue sampling techniques for histological and cytological diagnosis.

Use histochemical and immunohistochemical stain techniques for diagnosis and selection of treatment.

Microscopic methods used in cellular pathology.

Quality control and quality assurance.

 "Communication Skills in Biosciences: Essay writing

Introduction: The ecological, medical, scientific and commercial importance of bacteria. Bacterial evolution and taxonomy.

Microbial biodiversity at the structural level: Composition of the average bacterial cell and basic bacterial cell structure. Gram positive and gram negative. Archea. Organisation of DNA. Membranes and the transport of small molecules into and out of the cell. Peptidoglycan and LPS and their importance in pathogenesis. The location and function of proteins. Capsule, flagella and adhesins.

Introduction to growth, fuelling and biosynthesis: Division by binary fission, including growth equations. Growth in batch and chemostat cultures; liquid vs. solid media. Nutritional and non-nutritional factors affecting growth (temperature, osmolarity, pH and antibiotics). Physiological state and balanced growth. Adaptation to extreme conditions.

Microbial biodiversity at the physiological and biochemical level: The diversity in bacterial metabolism (nutrient sources (particularly carbon and nitrogen), photosynthesis, aerobic and anaerobic growth and alternative terminal electron acceptors. Fermentation. The inverse relationship between growth factor requirements and biochemical complexity. The ecological significance of bacteria.

Synthesis, localisation and assembly of macromolecular structures: DNA replication and transcription. Translational and protein localisation, assembly of flagella and adhesins. Membranes, including LPS. Peptidoglycan. Antibiotics that inhibit peptidoglycan biosynthesis. Capsules.

Microbial communities and ecology: growth and survival in the real world (e.g. soils and sediments), studying populations and individuals. Biofilms and complex communities. Diauxie and growth.

Signalling and physiological control: Introduction to bacterial genetics. The regulation of gene expression at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level in response to environmental factors Chemotaxis.

Practical: 'Antibiotics' in which students follow the growth of bacteria upon treatment with bacteriostatic and bactericidal antibiotics and answer questions about data concerning the mode of action of antibiotic resistance presented in the laboratory manual.

Workshop: 'Growth and viable counts' in which the students are given numerical data + growth equations and have to define factors such as (i) dilutions needed to give specific cell numbers, (ii) generations of growth to achieve specific cells numbers (iii) growth rate/doubling time. Designed to give students the skills required to manipulate bacterial cells to achieve correct cell density and growth phase for practical work.

The module deals with the molecular mechanisms of gene expression and its regulation in organisms ranging from viruses to man. This involves descriptions of how genetic information is stored in DNA and RNA, how that information is decoded by the cell and how this flow of information is controlled in response to changes in environment or developmental stage. Throughout, the mechanisms in prokaryotes and eukaryotes will be compared and contrasted and will touch on the latest developments in how we can analyse gene expression, and what these developments have revealed.

The cell is the fundamental structural unit in living organisms. Eukaryotic cells are compartmentalized structures that like prokaryotic cells, must perform several vital functions such as energy production, cell division and DNA replication and also must respond to extracellular environmental cues. In multicellular organisms, certain cells have developed modified structures, allowing them to fulfil highly specialised roles. This module reviews the experimental approaches that have been taken to investigate the biology of the cell and highlights the similarities and differences between cells of complex multicellular organisms and microbial cells. Initially the functions of the cytoskeleton and certain cellular compartments, particularly the nucleus, are considered. Later in the unit, the mechanisms by which newly synthesised proteins are secreted or shuttled to their appropriate cellular compartments are examined.

 "Principles of metabolic regulation: Allostery

The Year Abroad involves delivery of taught content and assessment of student learning at an academic institution abroad. To achieve the subject specific and generic learning outcomes students are expected to undertake a full-time load (as defined by the host institution) during the academic year of approved study at one of the designated partner universities with which UoK has a Memorandum of Understanding that allows the transfer of ECTS academic credit.

Material studied will be relevant to the student's degree programme. It will be determined jointly by the student, the School, and the host institution and is subject to availability within agreements made between UoK and the host institution.

Students may elect to take courses to address areas of weakness or areas of special interest, especially where there are recognised to be particular strengths or unique emphases in teaching practices or content at the host institution compared with those in the student's UoK modules.

Find out more about BIOS7960

Early in the Autumn term,projects are assigned to students by the project co-ordinator (a member ofacademic staff), where possible in accordance with student choice. Studentsthen meet with their project supervisor to discuss the objectives of theproject and obtain guidance on background reading. During the Autumn termstudents write a brief formative literature review on the project topicproviding them with a good background before embarking on the projectwork. At the end of the formal project time, students are allowed time tocomplete the final project report, although they are encouraged to startwriting as early as possible during the Spring term. The supervisor providesfeedback on content and style of a draft of the report. In addition, studentsare expected to deliver their findings in presentation lasting 10 minutes with5 minutes of questions.

This module will cover fourtopics: Eukaryotic pathogens (parasites); Bacterialpathogens; Viral pathogens; and Human fungal pathogens.

The aim of this Advanced Immunology module is to reviewtopical aspects of advanced immunology with emphasis on the regulation of theimmune response, and the role of dysfunctional immune systems in the aetiologyof a variety of disease states. Indicative topics include antigen processingand presentation, transplant rejection, autoimmunity, hypersensitivity, cellmigration homing and extravasation, cytokines, tumour immunology, mucosalimmunology and autophagy.

This module describes the anatomy,physiology, pathology, and therapy of the blood and blood forming tissues,including the bone marrow. It covers a wide range of disorders includinghaematological malignancies, infection with blood-borne parasites that causemalaria, and inappropriate clotting activities such as deep veinthrombosis.

The module begins byoverviewing the diverse mechanisms used by cells to communicate, consideringthe main modes of cell-cell communication, the major classes of signallingmolecules and the receptor types upon which they act. It then focuses on nuclear,G-protein coupled, and enzyme linked receptors covering in molecular detailthese receptors and their associated signal transduction pathways.

Cells and subcellular compartments are separated from theexternal milieu by lipid membranes with protein molecules inserted into thelipid layer. The aim of this module is to develop understanding of both thelipid and protein components of membranes as dynamic structures whose functionsare integrated in cellular processes.

The module aims to develop understanding and analyticalskills in virology, based around interactive seminars wherein students willanalyse, present, and discuss the relevant research literature. The studentswill gain experience in scientific design, literature analysis, scientificcommunication, and the analysis of experimental data.

A synopsis of the curriculum1. Outline of microbial physiology and genetics part II2. Microbial taxonomy and phylogenetics3. Microbial homeostasis - regulation of primary and secondary metabolism4. Genomic regulation - Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation ofgene expression5. Experimental approaches used to study microbial physiology, microbialgenomes and gene expression6. Microbial biochemistry7. Microbial biodiversity and complex signalling in the environment8. Application of microbes in biotechnologyPractical on bacterial transcriptional regulation using gene-expressionreporter fusionsGroup presentation of a research paper relating to topic areas onMicrobial biodiversity at the physiological and biochemical level."

Bioinformatics Data sources & Sequence analysis:Databases and data availability. Using sequence data for analysis – sequencesearching methods, multiple sequence alignments, residue conservation, Proteindomains and families.  Protein Bioinformatics Methods: Protein structure andfunction prediction. Prediction of binding sites/interfaces with small ligandsand with other proteins. Bioinformatics analyses using protein data. Genomics:An introduction to the analysis of genomic data, primarily focussing on thedata available from genome sequencing – how it can be used to study geneticvariants and compare genomes (i.e. comparative and functional genomics).

This module will look at Cancer formation andprogression; underlying factors, cancer cell heterogeneity, uncontrolled celldivision, invasive growth/ metastasis formation; as well as the MolecularBiology of Cancer: (Proto-)Oncogenes, tumour suppressor genes, cell cyclecontrol, cell death; and Cancer therapies.

The module deals with basic neuroanatomy and molecular and cellularneurobiology, such as transmission of signals within the nervous system andsensory perception. It explores more complex functions of the nervous system,e.g. behavioural and cognitive functions including learning, memory, emotionsand appetite control. Throughout the module both the normal nervous system anddisorders that arise as a consequence of abnormalities will be covered.

The module overviews the importance of studying ageing,the organisms and methods used to do so and considers how organisms agetogether with providing a detailed understanding of the processes and molecularmechanisms that govern ageing.

 "This module is designed to provide students across the university withaccess to knowledge

Recent events have illustrated the importance of ensuring that science iscommunicated effectively to non-scientific audiences. This module considersbest practice in science communication, making use of case studies thatillustrate its importance in developing an informed and empowered public, whiledeveloping skills in different modes of communication that enhance futureemployability.