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Natural Sciences course catalogue 2023/4


USSC-AKM01: MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology with Physics stream) with Professional Placement

Leading to the award of MASTER IN SCIENCE IN NATURAL SCIENCES

Mode of attendance: Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement

Normal programme duration: 5 years

[Page last updated: 27 October 2023]


This course is for students who will be in Year 2 or later in 2023/24


Assessment Regulations
Applicable assessment regulations:
Undergraduate assessment regulations - https://www.bath.ac.uk/publications/undergraduate-assessment-regulations/
Approved exemptions:
None
Coexistent Masters course?:
Yes
DAPS and exit awards:
BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences with Year long work placement
Diploma of Higher Education [exit award]
Certificate of Higher Education [exit award]
Weighting towards final award by stage:
Stage 1: 0%
Stage 2: 16%
Stage 3: 0%
Stage 4: 34%
Final Stage: 50%

Please consult your course handbook or contact your Director of Studies for further information on assessment regulations


Natural Sciences students must take units totaling 60 credits in each programme year, usually comprising five blocks of 12 credits each, although some final year projects are worth 18 or 24 credits. Students must choose a major subject stream to follow and must take two blocks of units in this major subject each year. For further information on the structure of the programme, please see the Natural Sciences Course Guide.

Year 1

This course is being replaced by a new version so Year 1 of this version is not available in 2023/24.

Notes:

  • Courses and units may be changed in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • This course catalogue is applicable for all years of study for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this course, or its component units, will be delivered in future years in the format displayed here.
  • Assessment regulations are subject to review and update. Links given here will provide access to the latest versions of documentation. The regulations described in this documentation may not necessarily be those which applied in previous academic years. For detailed information on how assessment regulations were applied to this course in previous academic years, please contact the relevant Director of Studies.
  • Availability of units is 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.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.


Year 2: Stage 2

Students following this subject stream must take the following in Year 2:
  1. All units in blocks M2.1, P2.1 and P2.2
  2. Two blocks from: Ecology block B2.1, Plant Science block B2.2, Molecular Biology block 2.3, Genomics block B2.4 and Developmental and Cell Biology block B2.5 (subject to pre-requisites)

Units which must be taken within this subject stream

Compulsory units for Mathematics block M2.1 and Physics block P2.1

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
AY PH20107 Mathematical methods for physics 212 credits       [equivalent to 24 CATS credits]
S1 PH20060 Quantum & atomic physics [WL]6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S1 PH20067 Thermal physics (WL)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 PH20061 Electromagnetism 1 [WL]6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 PH20063 Condensed matter physics 1 [WL]6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Optional units: Cell Biology block B2.3

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 SL20041 The dynamic cell 1 (BB20024)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL20023 Molecular and cellular neuroscience (BB20028)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Optional units: Developmental Biology & Neuroscience block B2.5

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 SL20024 Molecular genetics of vertebrate development (BB20149)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL20042 The dynamic cell 2 (BB20160)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Optional units: Ecology block B2.1

Students choosing this block must take SL20006 in Semester 1 and either SL20001 or SL20013 in Semester 2

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 SL20006 Concepts in evolution (BB20040)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL20001 Behaviour & ecology (BB20173)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL20013 Field course (BB20226)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Optional units: Plant Science block B2.2

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 SL20032 Plant symbiosis & pathology (BB20032)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL20030 Plant biotechnology (BB20031)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Optional units: Genomics block B2.4

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 SL20014 Genomics 1 (BB20219)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL20015 Genomics 2 (BB20220)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Skills units

Optional skills unit

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
AY XX20251 Skills for Natural Scientists II credits       [equivalent to 0 CATS credits]


Notes:

  • Courses and units may be changed in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • This course catalogue is applicable for all years of study for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this course, or its component units, will be delivered in future years in the format displayed here.
  • Assessment regulations are subject to review and update. Links given here will provide access to the latest versions of documentation. The regulations described in this documentation may not necessarily be those which applied in previous academic years. For detailed information on how assessment regulations were applied to this course in previous academic years, please contact the relevant Director of Studies.
  • Availability of units is 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.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.


Year 3: Stage 3
Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
AY CH20250 Industrial placement60 credits       [equivalent to 120 CATS credits]
AY PH20040 Professional placement60 credits       [equivalent to 120 CATS credits]
AY SL20035 Professional training placement (BB20075)60 credits       [equivalent to 120 CATS credits]


Notes:

  • Courses and units may be changed in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • This course catalogue is applicable for all years of study for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this course, or its component units, will be delivered in future years in the format displayed here.
  • Assessment regulations are subject to review and update. Links given here will provide access to the latest versions of documentation. The regulations described in this documentation may not necessarily be those which applied in previous academic years. For detailed information on how assessment regulations were applied to this course in previous academic years, please contact the relevant Director of Studies.
  • Availability of units is 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.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.


Year 4: Stage 4

Students following this subject stream must take the following in Year 3:
  1. PH30030 and PH30077 plus six credits of optional units in each semester from Physics block P3.1;
  2. Either Mathematics block M3.1 or Environmental Sciences block Env2.1;
  3. Two Biology blocks (B3.1, B3.2, B3.3, B3.4 and B3.5) (subject to pre-requisites).
  4. Further information on DoS approved options Director of Studies approved option allowed: Students may be permitted to take Director of Studies approved units as an alternative to a maximum of 12 credits during this programme year.

Units which must be taken within this subject stream

Compulsory units for block P3.1

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 PH30030 Quantum mechanics6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 PH30077 Electromagnetism 26 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]

Select 6 credits in each semester for block P3.1

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 PH30028 Condensed matter physics 26 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S1 PH30035 Medical physics6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 PH20018 Programming skills6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 PH30032 Laser physics6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 PH30078 Magnetism3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 PH30079 Superconductivity3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 PH30098 Networks3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]


Optional units: Environmental Studies block ENV2.1

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
AY XX20239 Introduction to environmental sciences and sustainability12 credits       [equivalent to 24 CATS credits]


Optional units: Mathematics block M3.1

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 PH30031 Simulation techniques6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 PH30025 Mathematical methods6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Optional units: Ecology block B3.1

Students choosing this block must take SL30061 in Semester 1 and either SL30060 or SL30081 in Semester 2

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 SL30061 Evolutionary quantitative genetics (BB30208)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL30060 Evolution in deep time (BB30131)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL30081 Sexual conflict (BB30132)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Optional units: Plant Science block B3.2

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 SL30080 Sensory and signalling networks in plants (BB30129)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL40123 Plant biotechnology & the environment (BB40140)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Optional units: Cell Biology block B3.3

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 SL30051 Cell membranes (BB30045)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL30056 Developmental neurobiology (BB30161)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Optional units: Developmental Biology & Neuroscience block B3.5

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 SL30069 Molecular & medical neuroscience (BB30044)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL30044 Advanced developmental genetics (BB30067)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Optional units: Genomics block B3.4

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 SL30066 Human genomics (BB30231)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL30054 Concepts in systems biology (BB30169)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Notes:

  • Courses and units may be changed in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • This course catalogue is applicable for all years of study for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this course, or its component units, will be delivered in future years in the format displayed here.
  • Assessment regulations are subject to review and update. Links given here will provide access to the latest versions of documentation. The regulations described in this documentation may not necessarily be those which applied in previous academic years. For detailed information on how assessment regulations were applied to this course in previous academic years, please contact the relevant Director of Studies.
  • Availability of units is 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.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.


Year 5: Final Stage

Students following this subject stream must take the following during this programme year:
  1. Biology project unit SL40126 in either S1 or S2;
  2. All units from Physics block P4.1;
  3. Two blocks of Biology options (B4.1, B4.2, B4.3, B4.4 and B4.5) (subject to pre-requisites), dropping six credits from one of the biology blocks in the semester in which SL40126 is taken.
  4. Further information on DoS approved options Director of Studies approved option allowed: Students may be permitted to take Director of Studies approved units as an alternative to a maximum of 12 credits during this programme year.

Units which must be taken within this subject stream

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S2 PH40084 Advanced quantum theory6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 PH40085 Nanoscience6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 PH40086 Photonics6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]

Compulsory units for Physics blocks P4.1 & P4.2

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 PH40024 Contemporary physics6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]

Biology majors must take SL40126 in either Semester 1 or Semester 2

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 SL40126 Research project (MSci) (BB40130)18 credits       [equivalent to 36 CATS credits]
S2 SL40126 Research project (MSci) (BB40130)18 credits       [equivalent to 36 CATS credits]


Optional units: Developmental Biology & Neuroscience block B4.5

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 SL40104 Frontiers of neuroscience (BB40082)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S1 SL40106 Human developmental disorders (BB40124)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S1 SL40114 Molecular mechanisms of disease (BB40102)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL40111 Modern methods of researching neurodegeneration (BB40164)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Optional units: Genomics block B4.4

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 SL40115 Molecular phylogenetics (BB40134)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL40110 Microbial evolution - from the laboratory to nature (BB40117)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Optional units: Cell Biology block B4.3

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 SL40114 Molecular mechanisms of disease (BB40102)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL40098 Current topics in gene regulation and cell differentiation (BB40118)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Optional units: Plant Science block B4.2

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S2 SL40124 Plant responses to abiotic stress (BB40133)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Optional units: Ecology block B4.1

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 SL40115 Molecular phylogenetics (BB40134)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S1 SL40131 The evolution of genetic systems (BB40128)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL40097 Conservation biology (BB40195)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL40110 Microbial evolution - from the laboratory to nature (BB40117)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL40129 Sexual conflict (BB40193)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Notes:

  • Courses and units may be changed in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • This course catalogue is applicable for all years of study for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this course, or its component units, will be delivered in future years in the format displayed here.
  • Assessment regulations are subject to review and update. Links given here will provide access to the latest versions of documentation. The regulations described in this documentation may not necessarily be those which applied in previous academic years. For detailed information on how assessment regulations were applied to this course in previous academic years, please contact the relevant Director of Studies.
  • Availability of units is 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.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.