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Programmes in Natural Sciences, Programme Catalogue 2010/11


UXXX-AFM01: MSci (hons) Natural Sciences

Leading to the award of MASTER IN SCIENCE IN NATURAL SCIENCES

Mode of attendance: Full-time

arrowYear 1 arrowYear 2 arrowYear 3

Year 1

Click here for further information NFAAR assessment regulations:


Students follow one of eight subject combination schemes which are described in the detailed Guide to Course Selection(pdf).

Academic Year: Part 1 Stage 1

Optional Units: Select between 12 and 36 Credits from the following list:
A maximum of 24 credits of Chemistry units may be taken.
Students taking PA10238 must also take PA10237.
CH10134 Atomic structure, bonding and the Periodic Table for Natural Sciences 12 Credits
CH10136 Fundamentals of organic chemistry for Natural Sciences 12 Credits
CH10138 From molecules to materials for natural scientists 12 Credits
PA10237 Introduction to chemical biology and pharmacology 12 Credits
PA10238 Physiology 12 Credits

Semester 1: Part 1 Stage 1

Optional Units: Select 6 Credits from the following list:
MA10103 Foundation mathematics 1 6 Credits
PH10007 Mathematics for scientists 1 6 Credits
Optional Units: Select between 6 and 18 Credits from the following list:
Students taking either Physics unit must also take PH10007.
Students taking BB10012 must also take BB10005 or PA10237.
BB10005 Cell biology 6 Credits
BB10012 Ecology & evolution 6 Credits
PH10048 Introduction to quantum physics [WL] 6 Credits
PH10052 Properties of matter [WL] 6 Credits

Semester 2: Part 1 Stage 1

Optional Units: Select 6 Credits from the following list:
MA10104 Foundation mathematics 2 6 Credits
PH10008 Mathematics for scientists 2 6 Credits
Optional Units: Select between 6 and 18 Credits from the following list:
Students taking either Physics unit must also take PH10008.
Students taking BB10011 must also take BB10006 or PA10237.
BB10006 Cell & molecular biology 6 Credits
BB10011 The biosphere 6 Credits
PH10051 Electricity & magnetism [WL] 6 Credits
PH10053 Vibrations, waves & optics [WL] 6 Credits

Year 2

Click here for further information NFAAR assessment regulations:


Students follow one of eight subject combination schemes which are described in the detailed Guide to Course Selection(pdf).

Academic Year: Part 2 Stage 2

Optional Units: Select between 12 and 36 Credits from the following list:
CH20148 Inorganic synthesis, structure and reactivity for natural scientists 12 Credits
CH20150 Organic synthesis, reaction mechanisms and spectroscopy for natural scientists 12 Credits
CH20152 Principles of physical chemistry for natural scientists 12 Credits
PA20241 Cellular & molecular therapeutics 12 Credits
XX20171 The practice of science: how science works 12 Credits

Semester 1: Part 2 Stage 2

Optional Units: Select between 12 and 24 Credits from the following list:
BB20024 The dynamic cell 1 6 Credits
BB20040 Concepts in evolution 6 Credits
BB20110 DNA (making, breaking & disease) [for Natural Scientists] 6 Credits
MA20201 Modelling the dynamics of life 1 6 Credits
PA20016 Cardiovascular, renal and peripheral nervous system pharmacology 6 Credits
PH20019 Mathematics for scientists 3 6 Credits
PH20060 Quantum & atomic physics [WL] 6 Credits
PH20067 Thermal physics (WL) 6 Credits
XX20085 Earth as an ecosystem 6 Credits

Semester 2: Part 2 Stage 2

Optional Units: Select between 12 and 24 Credits from the following list:
BB10007 Genetics 6 Credits
BB20041 Field course 6 Credits
BB20160 The dynamic cell 2 6 Credits
MA20202 Modelling the dynamics of life 2 6 Credits
PA20023 Pharmacology of the central nervous system 6 Credits
PH20020 Mathematics for scientists 4 6 Credits
PH20061 Electromagnetism 1 [WL] 6 Credits
PH20063 Condensed matter physics 1 [WL] 6 Credits
XX20001 Renewable energy 6 Credits

Year 3

Click here for further information NFAAR assessment regulations:

  • This programme year has a DAP.
  • This is the penultimate stage of the programme.
  • Main assessment regulations: Appendix 23 PDF format -requires Acrobat Reader to view; Supplementary assessment regulations: Appendix 24 PDF format -requires Acrobat Reader to view.

Students follow one of eight subject combination schemes which are described in the detailed Guide to Course Selection(pdf).

Academic Year: Part 2 Stage 3

Optional Units: Select between 0 and 12 Credits from the following list:
PA30266 Pharmacology of infection & immunity 12 Credits

Semester 1: Part 2 Stage 3

Optional Units: Select between 24 and 30 Credits from the following list:
BB20058 Microbial genetics 6 Credits
BB30072 Biology as a world view 6 Credits
BB30167 Genomes 6 Credits
CE30145 Environmental management 6 Credits
CE40129 Legislation & waste management 6 Credits
CH20145 Environmental chemistry 3 Credits
CH20146 Symmetry and group theory 3 Credits
CH30129 Topics in physical chemistry 6 Credits
CH30185 Drug properties for natural scientists 6 Credits
CH30186 Laboratory chemistry 1 (NS) 6 Credits
MA30047 Mathematical biology 1 6 Credits
MA30086 Medical statistics 6 Credits
MA40092 Classical statistical inference 6 Credits
PA30251 Advanced topics, trends and technologies in pharmacology 6 Credits
PH30030 Quantum mechanics 6 Credits
PH30031 Simulation techniques 6 Credits
PH30077 Electromagnetism 2 6 Credits

Semester 2: Part 2 Stage 3

Optional Units: Select between 24 and 30 Credits from the following list:
BB30131 Evolution in deep time 6 Credits
BB30156 Conservation biology 6 Credits
BB30169 Concepts in systems biology 6 Credits
CH30033 Electrochemistry and surfaces 3 Credits
CH30036 Biopolymers 3 Credits
CH30038 Neutron scattering for chemists 3 Credits
CH30064 Supramolecular chemistry 3 Credits
CH30065 Biosynthesis & biotransformations 3 Credits
CH30086 Inorganic chemistry in biological systems 3 Credits
CH30187 Laboratory chemistry 2 (NS) 6 Credits
MA30063 Mathematical biology 2 6 Credits
MA30085 Time series 6 Credits
PA30148 Central nervous system pharmacology 6 Credits
PA30252 Stem cell biology 6 Credits
PH30025 Mathematical methods 6 Credits
PH30032 Laser physics 6 Credits
PH30078 Magnetism 3 Credits
PH30079 Superconductivity 3 Credits
XX30172 State of the planet 6 Credits
XX30191 Energy and environment 6 Credits

Year 4

Not available in 2010/11