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Programme & Unit Catalogues

Programmes in Natural Sciences 2014/15


UXXX-AFM01: MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences

Leading to the award of MASTER IN SCIENCE IN NATURAL SCIENCES

Mode of attendance: Full-time

Click here for further information Possible DAPs for this programme:

 

Click here for further informationPossible exit awards for this programme:

  • UXXX-AFL01: Diploma of Higher Education
  • UXXX-AFC01: Certificate of Higher Education

arrowYear 1 arrowYear 2 arrowYear 3 arrowYear 4

Year 1

Click here for further information NFAAR-UG assessment regulations (NB. NFAAR-UG assessment regulations are changing for 2014/15):
  • Transfer to DAP may be possible from this programme year.
  • Main assessment regulations: Appendix 15 PDF format -requires Acrobat Reader to view; Supplementary assessment regulations: Appendix 16 PDF format -requires Acrobat Reader to view.
  • Part 1 Stage 1 of this programme contributes 0% towards the final award classification

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

Academic Year: Part 1 Stage 1

Optional Units: Select a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 48 credits from the following list:
  • A maximum of 24 credits of Chemistry units can 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 a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 24 credits from the following list:
  • Students taking either Physics unit must also take PH10007.
  • Students taking PH10048 must also take PH10052.
  • Students taking BB10012 must also take BB10005 or PA10237.
BB10003 Biochemistry 1 6 Credits
BB10006 Cell & molecular biology 6 Credits
BB10012 Ecology & evolution 1 6 Credits
PH10001 Introduction to quantum physics 6 Credits
PH10002 Properties of matter 6 Credits
PH10048 Introduction to quantum physics [WL] 6 Credits
PH10052 Properties of matter [WL] 6 Credits
XX10085 The Earth as an ecosystem 6 Credits
Optional Units: Select 6 credits from the following list:
MA10103 Foundation mathematics 1 6 Credits
PH10007 Mathematics for scientists 1 6 Credits

Semester 2: Part 1 Stage 1

Optional Units: Select a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 24 credits from the following list:
  • Students taking either Physics unit must also take PH10008.
  • Students taking PH10051 must also take PH10053.
  • Students taking BB10205 must also take BB10006 or PA10237.
BB10004 Biochemistry 2 6 Credits
BB10005 Cell biology 6 Credits
BB10205 Ecology & evolution 2 6 Credits
PH10005 Vibrations, waves & optics 6 Credits
PH10006 Electricity & magnetism 6 Credits
PH10051 Electricity & magnetism [WL] 6 Credits
PH10053 Vibrations, waves & optics [WL] 6 Credits
XX10212 Introduction to the state of the environment 6 Credits
Optional Units: Select 6 credits from the following list:
CH10214 Mathematics for chemistry 6 Credits
PH10008 Mathematics for scientists 2 6 Credits

Year 2

Click here for further information NFAAR-UG assessment regulations (NB. NFAAR-UG assessment regulations are changing for 2014/15):
  • Transfer to DAP may be possible from this programme year.
  • Main assessment regulations: Appendix 23 PDF format -requires Acrobat Reader to view; Supplementary assessment regulations: Appendix 24 PDF format -requires Acrobat Reader to view.
  • Part 2 Stage 2 of this programme contributes 16% towards the final award classification

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

Academic Year: Part 2 Stage 2

Optional Units: Select a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 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

Semester 1: Part 2 Stage 2

Optional Units: Select a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 30 credits from the following list:
  • Students taking PA20016 must also take PA20291 and PA20292.
  • Students taking PH20060 must also take PH20067.
  • Students taking any Physics unit must also take PH20019.
BB20018 Enzymology 6 Credits
BB20023 DNA (making, breaking & disease) 6 Credits
BB20024 The dynamic cell 1 6 Credits
BB20040 Concepts in evolution 6 Credits
MA20201 Modelling the dynamics of life 1 6 Credits
PA20016 Cardiovascular, renal and peripheral nervous system pharmacology 6 Credits
PA20291 Introduction to practical pharmacology for natural scientists 3 Credits
PA20292 Immunology & receptor signalling 3 Credits
PH20019 Mathematics for scientists 3 6 Credits
PH20060 Quantum & atomic physics [WL] 6 Credits
PH20067 Thermal physics (WL) 6 Credits
XX20001 Renewable energy 6 Credits
XX20085 Earth as an ecosystem 6 Credits

Semester 2: Part 2 Stage 2

Optional Units: Select a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 30 credits from the following list:
  • Students taking PA20023 must also take PA20293.
  • Students taking PH20061 must also take PH20063.
  • Students taking any Physics unit must also take PH20020.
BB20027 Infection and immunity 6 Credits
BB20028 Molecular and cellular neuroscience 6 Credits
BB20041 Field course 6 Credits
BB20160 The dynamic cell 2 6 Credits
BB20173 Behaviour & ecology 6 Credits
MA20202 Modelling the dynamics of life 2 6 Credits
PA20023 Pharmacology of the central nervous system 6 Credits
PA20293 Gene transcription & DNA 6 Credits
PH20020 Mathematics for scientists 4 6 Credits
PH20061 Electromagnetism 1 [WL] 6 Credits
PH20063 Condensed matter physics 1 [WL] 6 Credits
XX10212 Introduction to the state of the environment 6 Credits
XX30191 Energy and environment 6 Credits

Year 3

Click here for further information NFAAR-UG assessment regulations (NB. NFAAR-UG assessment regulations are changing for 2014/15):
  • Transfer to DAP may be possible from this programme year.
  • 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.
  • Part 2 Stage 3 of this programme contributes 34% towards the final award classification

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

Academic Year: Part 2 Stage 3

Optional Units: Select a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 12 credits from the following list:
PA30266 Pharmacology of infection & immunity 12 Credits

Semester 1: Part 2 Stage 3

Optional Units: Select a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 30 credits from the following list:
  • Students taking CH30128 must also take CH30141.
  • Students taking CH30127 must also take CH30203.
  • Students taking CH30129 must also take CH20194.
BB30045 Cell membranes 6 Credits
BB30055 Genes & genomes 6 Credits
BB30208 Evolutionary quantitative genetics 6 Credits
CE30145 Environmental management 6 Credits
CE40129 Legislation & waste management 6 Credits
CH20218 Analytical chemistry for natural scientists 3 Credits
CH30127 Topics in inorganic chemistry I 3 Credits
CH30128 Topics in organic chemistry I 3 Credits
CH30129 Topics in physical chemistry I 3 Credits
CH30186 Laboratory chemistry 1 (NS) 6 Credits
CH30203 Radiochemistry 3 Credits
CH30210 Future of drug discovery 3 Credits
MA30047 Mathematical biology 1 6 Credits
PA30251 Advanced topics, trends and technologies in pharmacology 6 Credits
PH30028 Condensed matter physics 2 6 Credits
PH30030 Quantum mechanics 6 Credits
PH30031 Simulation techniques 6 Credits
PH30032 Laser physics 6 Credits
XX20001 Renewable energy 6 Credits

Semester 2: Part 2 Stage 3

Optional Units: Select a minimum of 24 and a maximum of 30 credits from the following list:
  • Students taking CH30036 must also take CH30065.
  • Students taking CH30064 must also take CH30086.
  • Students taking CH30033 must also take CH30038.
  • Students taking PH30078 must also take PH30079.
  • Students taking PA30148 may not also take PA30252 (and vice versa)
  • Students taking any of the Pharmacology options in this year may not subsequently take the level 4 equivalent in their final year (e.g. students taking PA30148 may not subsequently take PA40160 in their final year).
BB20203 Microbial interactions with their host and environments 6 Credits
BB30131 Evolution in deep time 6 Credits
BB30132 Sexual conflict 6 Credits
BB30169 Concepts in systems biology 6 Credits
CH20194 Liquids and solutions 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
CH30211 Chemistry beyond the molecule 3 Credits
CH30227 Advanced spectroscopic techniques 3 Credits
MA30063 Mathematical biology 2 6 Credits
PA30148 Central nervous system pharmacology 6 Credits
PA30150 Cardiovascular pharmacology 6 Credits
PA30157 The molecular biology and treatment of cancer 6 Credits
PA30168 Drug targets in the immune system 6 Credits
PA30169 Trends in molecular signalling 6 Credits
PA30252 Pharmacology of regenerative medicine 6 Credits
PH30025 Mathematical methods 6 Credits
PH30035 Medical physics 6 Credits
PH30077 Electromagnetism 2 6 Credits
PH30087 Fluid dynamics 3 Credits
PH30089 MPhys/MSci laboratory (6 credit) 6 Credits
PH30098 Networks 3 Credits
XX30172 State of the planet 6 Credits
XX30191 Energy and environment 6 Credits
XX30213 Water cycle and human health 6 Credits

Year 4

Click here for further information NFAAR-UG assessment regulations (NB. NFAAR-UG assessment regulations are changing for 2014/15):
  • Transfer to DAP may be possible from this programme year.
  • Main assessment regulations: Appendix 27 PDF format -requires Acrobat Reader to view; Supplementary assessment regulations: Appendix 28 PDF format -requires Acrobat Reader to view.
  • Part 3 Stage 4 of this programme contributes 50% towards the final award classification

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

Academic Year: Part 3 Stage 4

Optional Units: Select a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 1 units from the following list:
  • Students must either select one of these project units or take BB40130 (in either Semester 1 or Semester 2) or PA40288 (in Semester 1).
CH40165 Chemistry research 1 24 Credits
CH40196 Chemistry research project (NS12) 12 Credits
PH40065 Final year project (MSci) 12 Credits

Semester 1: Part 3 Stage 4

Optional Units: Select a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 42 credits from the following list:
  • Students who have not selected a year-long project unit (CH40188, CH40165 or PH40065) must either select PA40288 from this list or select BB40130 from this list or the options in Semester 2.
BB40128 The evolution of genetic systems 6 Credits
BB40130 Research project (MSci) 18 Credits
BB40134 Molecular phylogenetics 6 Credits
CH40098 Techniques in drug discovery 3 Credits
CH40155 Advanced structural methods 3 Credits
CH40205 Topics in inorganic chemistry II 3 Credits
CH40206 Topics in organic chemistry II 3 Credits
CH40207 Topics in physical chemistry II 3 Credits
CH40222 Advanced theoretical methods 3 Credits
MA40197 Advanced mathematical biology 6 Credits
PA40142 Molecular applications in pharmacology 3 Credits
PA40214 Recent advances in drug discovery 3 Credits
PA40288 Pharmacology dissertation for MSci students 6 Credits
PH40024 Contemporary physics 6 Credits

Semester 2: Part 3 Stage 4

Optional Units: Select a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 30 credits from the following list:
  • Students who have not selected a year-long project unit (CH40188 or PH40065) or PA40288 or BB40130 in Semester 1, must select BB40130 from this list.
  • Students taking CH40037 must also take CH40209.
  • Students taking CH40212 must also take CH40162.
  • Students taking CH40039 must also take CH40158.
  • Students taking PH40085 must also take PH40086.
  • Students may not repeat a Pharmacology unit already taken at level 3 in Year 3 (e.g. students who took PA30148 in Year 3 may not take PA40160 in this year).
BB40117 Microbial evolution - from the laboratory to nature 6 Credits
BB40130 Research project (MSci) 18 Credits
CH40037 Synthesis of medicinal compounds 3 Credits
CH40068 Physical organic chemistry 3 Credits
CH40158 Chemistry of functional materials 3 Credits
CH40162 Advanced organometallic chemistry 3 Credits
CH40212 Contemporary main group chemistry 3 Credits
CH40220 Chemical thermodynamics in context 3 Credits
MA50199 Topic review in mathematical biology 6 Credits
PA40157 The molecular biology and treatment of cancer 6 Credits
PA40159 Cardiovascular pharmacology 6 Credits
PA40160 Central nervous system pharmacology 6 Credits
PA40162 Drug targets in the immune system 6 Credits
PA40163 Trends in molecular signalling 6 Credits
PA40252 Pharmacology of regenerative medicine 6 Credits
PH40084 Advanced quantum theory 6 Credits
PH40085 Nanoscience 6 Credits
PH40086 Photonics 6 Credits

Notes:
* This programme catalogue is applicable for the 2014/15 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2015/16 and beyond should not assume that later years of a programme will be in the format displayed here.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.