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Natural Sciences course catalogue 2024/5


USSC-AFM01: MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology with Pharmacology stream)

Leading to the award of MASTER IN SCIENCE IN NATURAL SCIENCES

Mode of attendance: Full-time

Normal programme duration: 4 years

[Page last updated: 14 April 2024]


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/
Applicable NFAAR appendices:
N/A
Approved exemptions:
None
Coexistent Masters course?:
Yes
DAPS and exit awards:
BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences
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: 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.

Years 1 & 2

This course is being replaced Years 1 and 2 of this version of the course are not available in 2024/25.

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

Students following this subject stream must take the following during this programme year:
  1. At least two blocks of Biology options (subject to pre-requisites);
  2. 12 credits in each semester from Pharmacology block Pc3
  3. One further block of free options (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 Biology block B3.3 (Cell Biology)

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


Optional units: Chemistry block C3.1

Students choosing this block must take all units S1 and 6 credits (two units) in S2.

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 CH30128 Topics in organic chemistry I3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S1 CH30235 Organic chemistry of biomolecules3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 CH30065 Biosynthesis & biotransformations3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 CH30211 Chemistry beyond the molecule3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 CH30230 DNA in the modern world3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]


Optional units: Chemistry block C3.2

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 CH30127 Topics in inorganic chemistry I3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S1 CH30203 Radiochemistry3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 CH30086 Inorganic chemistry in biological systems3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 CH30231 Porous materials3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]


Optional units: Chemistry block C3.3

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 CH30129 Topics in physical chemistry I3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S1 CH30218 Analytical chemistry for natural scientists3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 CH30227 Advanced spectroscopic techniques3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 CH30239 Introduction to computational chemistry for natural scientists3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]


Optional units: Mathematics for life sciences block M3.2

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 MA30047 Mathematical biology 16 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 MA30063 Mathematical biology 26 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Optional units: Non science options

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 ED30005 Science education in practice6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S1 MN20815 Digital business innovation6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S1 PS30115 Contemporary educational psychology6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 ED30006 Issues in science education6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 MN30076 Business strategy6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 PS30156 Emotion science6 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]


Units which must be taken within this subject stream

Pharmacology block Pc3: Select 12 credits in each semester

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 SL30045 Advanced topics, trends and technologies in pharmacology (PA30251)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S1 SL30070 Molecular applications in pharmacology (PA30142)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S1 SL30076 Recent advances in drug discovery (PA30214)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL30050 Cardiovascular pharmacology (PA30150)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL30052 Central nervous system pharmacology (PA30148)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL30058 Drug targets in the immune system (PA30168)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL30072 Pharmacology of regenerative medicine (PA30252)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL30086 The molecular biology and treatment of cancer (PA30157)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL30087 Trends in molecular signalling (PA30169)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]


Optional units: Developmental Biology block B3.7

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 SL30051 Cell membranes (BB30045)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL30044 Advanced developmental genetics (BB30067)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Cell Biology

Biology Block B3.3 (Cell Biology)

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 SL30069 Molecular & medical neuroscience (BB30044)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 4: 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. Six credits in each semester from Pharmacology blocks Pc4.1 and Pc4.2 (NB. SL40119 is compulsory for Pc4.2);
  3. At least two blocks of Biology options (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

Compulsory unit for Pharmacology block Pc4.2

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 SL40119 Pharmacology dissertation for MSci students (PA40288)6 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: Pharmacology block PC4.1/2

Semester 1: Select either SL40125 or SL40112 for Pharmacology block Pc4.1

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 SL40112 Molecular applications in pharmacology (PA40142)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S1 SL40125 Recent advances in drug discovery (PA40214)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]

Semester 2: Select 12 credits for Pharmacology blocks Pc4.1 and Pc4.2. Students may not repeat a unit already taken at a lower level during the previous year.

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S2 SL40093 Cardiovascular pharmacology (PA40159)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL40095 Central nervous system pharmacology (PA40160)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL40099 Drug targets in the immune system (PA40162)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL40120 Pharmacology of regenerative medicine (PA40252)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL40132 The molecular biology and treatment of cancer (PA40157)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 SL40133 Trends in molecular signalling (PA40163)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 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: 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]


Cell Biology

Biology Block B4.3 (Cell Biology)

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]


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.