BSc and MBiomedSci Biomedical Sciences Programme Specification 2023-24_.xlsx

	B	C	D	E	G	I	J	K	L	O
1	ACADEMIC QUALITY TEAM
2	Programme Specifications 2024-25
3
4
5	Programme Title			BSc and MBiomedSci Biomedical Sciences
6
7	This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:			September 2024		Award type			BSc and MBiomedSci
8
9	What level is this qualification?			6/7		Length of programme			3 years (BSc) or 4 years (MBiomedSci). Year abroad/industry additional year options.
10
11	Mode of study (Full / Part Time)			Full
12
13	Will the programme use standard University semester dates?			Yes		For York Online programmes, will standard dates for such programmes be used?			N/A
14
15	Awarding institution			University of York		Board of Studies for the programme			Biology
16
17	Lead department			Biology		Other contributing departments			HYMS, Health Sciences
18
19	Language of study and assessment			English		Language(s) of assessment			English
20
21	Is this a campus-based or online programme?			Campus-based
22
23	Partner organisations
24	If there are any partner organisations involved in the delivery of the programme, please outline the nature of their involvement. You may wish to refer to the Policy on Collaborative Provision
25	N/A
26	N/A
27
28	Reference points
29	Please state relevant reference points consulted in the design of this programme (for example, relevant documentation setting out PSRB requirements; the University's Frameworks for Programme Design (UG or PGT); QAA Subject Benchmark Statements; QAA Qualifications and Credit Frameworks).
30	QAA Subject Benchmark Statements for Biomedical Sciences and Biosciences; requirements for Royal Society of Biology degree accreditation as stated in the RSB degree accrediation handbook; University's Framework for Programme Design
31
32
33	Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
34	Will this programme involve any exemptions from the University Policy and Procedures on Credit Transfer and the Recognition of Prior Learning? If so, please specify and give a rationale
35	No
36	No
37
38	Exceptions to Regulations
39	Please detail any exceptions to University Award Regulations and Frameworks that need to be approved (or are already approved) for this programme. This should include any that have been approved for related programmes and should be extended to this programme.
40	N/A
41	N/A
42
43	Internal Transfers
44	Please use the boxes below to specify if transfers into / out of the programme from / to other programmes within the University are possible by indicating yes or no and listing any restrictions. These boxes can also be used to highlight any common transfer routes which it would be useful for students to know.
45
46		Transfers in:	No			Transfers out:	No
47			No				No
48
49	Statement of Purpose
50	Please briefly outline the overall aims of the programme. This should clarify to a prospective student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
51	One of the great societal and scientific challenges for the 21st century is improving human health. Understanding health requires a fundamental understanding of the processes that underlie the normal state and what happens during the onset of disease. Only then can novel therapeutics be developed. Biomedical science is critical for drug development, intervention strategies, and shaping public health policy. With the advent of more sophisticated strategies for treating disease and personalised medicine, never before has basic science had a greater clinical impact. York is a research intensive University, which is reflected in the research-led teaching found throughout our programme. Teaching across all years of the degree is closely aligned to the research of our biomedical-research orientated staff that form the York Biomedical Research Institute (YBRI). The YBRI mission is to advance discoveries in biomedical science, to inspire, train, and mentor the next generation of biomedical researchers. The main research themes of YBRI and within the Biomedical Science Degree are molecular and cellular medicine, immunology, haematology and infection, and neuroscience. We offer both BSc and MBiomedSci degrees in Biomedical Sciences, which are both accredited by the Royal Society of Biology and culminate with a project giving direct insight to the world of biomedical research. Both can be taken with either an additional year in industry, year abroad, or a placement year in an alternative work setting. The MBiomedSci adds an extra year to the BSc programmes and specifically focuses on the skills needed for a career as a research scientist. During this time you will carry out further research to learn specialised research techniques and gain experience in cutting edge experimentation. Studying Biomedical Sciences develops transferable skills such as critical thinking and research methodologies, and thus prepares students to be competitive for entry into relevant postgraduate research degree programmes, such as a PhD. The degree also provides suitable training for direct employment in health-related industries and services (e.g. NHS, pharmaceutical companies). In addition, transferable skills acquired on the course open up other relevant careers such as patent law, public health policy and education, and scientific writing.
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62	If there are additional awards associated with the programme upon which students can register, please specify the Statement of Purpose for that programme. This will be most relevant for PGT programmes with exit awards that are also available as entry points. Use additional rows to include more than one additional award. Do not include years in industry / abroad (for which there are separate boxes).
63	Exit Award Title			Is the exit award also available as an entry point?	Outcomes: what will the student be able to do on exit with this award?			Specify the module diet that the student will need to complete to obtain this exit award
64	Certificate of Higher Education			No	Progress will have been made towards all the PLOs to differing extents. Students will be able to: provide explanations that demonstrate understanding of principles, concepts and theories in health and disease, through evaluations of lecture content and basic scientific literature; formulate basic hypotheses, design and execute simple experiments for the collection and analysis of biomedical data to produce figures, graphs and tables that are explained in structured reports and posters; having gained practical experience and training in teaching laboratories demonstrate understanding of how these approaches are used in Biomedicine; apply logical reasoning and creative thinking to address biomedical problems; communicate and interpret information with clarity through reviews in written, oral and other explanations; understand the relevance of numerical, quantitative, and computer-based transferable skills to a range of working environments. . .			120 credits (Stage 1)
65	Diploma of Higher Education			No	Progress will have been made towards all PLOs. Students will be able to: provide explanations that demonstrate deeper understanding of the principles, concepts and theories in health and disease including epidemiology, structure, function, development and therapeutic approaches, drawing upon a range of scientific literature; formulate hypotheses, design and execute experiments for the collection, analysis and modelling of biomedical data to produce figures, graphs and tables that are explained in laboratory reports; evaluate experimental, analytical, epidemiological and quantitative techniques and methodologies, having had first-hand practical experience and training in teaching laboratories, demonstrating an awareness and appreciation of the application of these approaches in tackling current Biomedical Science challenges; evaluate the effectiveness of their work, as an individual, in teams and in collaborative groups, by applying reasoning and creative thinking to develop solutions to biomedical problems, and understand the challenges involved in translational research for therapeutic approaches for human diseases; communicate and interpret information with clarity and precision through critical reviews in written, oral and other explanations, demonstrating the impact of Biomedicine for real-world and global issues for diverse audiences; demonstrate independence, originality, creativity and a deep understanding of current practice and technology in Biomedicine, and apply numerical, quantitative, and computer-based transferable skills to a range of working environments.			240 credits (Stages 1 & 2)
66	Ordinary Degree			No	Students will have met most of the PLOs though not all to the full extent. Completion of 300 credits will ensure that students graduate with substantial knowledge of Biomedical Sciences having given thorough explanations of many of the core principles, concepts and theories in health and disease including epidemiology, structure, function, development and therapeutic approaches. They will have engaged critically with a range of scientific literature including primary research articles. They will have gained a greater depth of knowledge compared with the Diploma of Higher Education students with enhanced skills in data collection and analysis.			300 credits (240 credits from Stages 1 & 2, 60 credits from Stage 3)
67	BSc. (from Integrated Masters)			No	The BSc. PLOs will have been met.			360 credits (120 credits in each of Stages 1, 2 & 3 but not progressing to Stage 4)
68
69	Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc.
70	What are the programme learning outcomes (PLOs) for the programme? (Normally a minimum of 6, maximum of 8). Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme and represent the outcomes that students progressively develop in the programme and achieve at graduation. PLOs should be worded to follow the stem 'Graduates will be able to...'
71	1	Provide thorough explanations that demonstrate a deep understanding of how cells, molecules and genes underlie the healthy state and thus how disease arises. The principles used to treat disease and critical evaluations of the primary scientific literature in Biomedicine.
72	2	Formulate hypotheses, design and execute experiments for the collection, analysis and modelling of biomedical data ranging from molecular to population level, that tests biomedical systems to produce figures, graphs and tables that are explained in comprehensive laboratory reports.
73	3	Thoroughly evaluate experimental, analytical, epidemiological and quantitative techniques and methodologies, by engaging with practical experience and training in laboratories, demonstrating an awareness and appreciation of the application of these approaches in tackling the major global challenges in Biomedical Science of the 21st century.
74	4	Evaluate and reflect on the effectiveness of your work systematically, as an individual, in teams and in collaborative groups. Apply logical reasoning and lateral thinking to develop creative and innovative solutions to biomedical problems. Understand the challenges involved in translational research for therapeutic approaches for human diseases, and interdisciplinary approaches that benefit human health and wellbeing.
75	5	Communicate and interpret complex information with clarity and precision through critical reviews in written, oral and other explanations, questioning dogma and demonstrating impact at the forefront of Biomedicine in real-world and global issues, for expert, professional, business, industrial and lay audiences.
76	6	Demonstrate independence, originality, creativity and a deep understanding of cutting-edge practice and technology in Biomedicine, and apply numerical, quantitative, and computer-based transferable skills to a range of working environments including laboratories, education, industry, business, health services, policy, government, and media.
77
78	Programme Learning Outcomes for MBiomedSci.
79	1	Provide systematic explanations that demonstrate a deep understanding of how cells, molecules and genes underlie the healthy state and thus how disease arises. The principles used to treat disease and critical evaluations of the scientific literature at the forefront of Biomedical research.
80	2	Formulate hypotheses, design and execute experiments for the collection, analysis and modelling of biomedical data ranging from molecular to population level, that tests the current understanding of biomedical systems, to produce figures, graphs and tables explained in comprehensive research reports.
81	3	Identify and critically evaluate state-of-the-art experimental, analytical, epidemiological and quantitative techniques and methodologies by engaging with practical experience and training in laboratories, demonstrating a deep understanding of the application of cutting-edge research tackling the major global challenges in Biomedical Science of the 21st century.
82	4	Critically evaluate and reflect on the effectiveness of your work as an individual, a team member or in collaborative groups. Apply logical and critical thinking to develop creative and innovative solutions to biomedical research. Understand the challenges in translational research for therapeutic approaches for human diseases and the interdisciplinary practices that benefit human health and wellbeing.
83	5	Communicate and interpret complex information with confidence, clarity and precision through critical reviews in written and oral presentations, questioning dogma and thoroughly evaluating the impact of Biomedical research in real-world and global issues, for expert, professional, business, industrial and lay audiences.
84	6	Demonstrate self-direction, originality and a critical understanding of cutting-edge practice and technology in Biomedical research, and apply numerical, quantitative, and computer-based transferable skills to a range of working environments including laboratories, education, industry, business, health services, policy, government, and media.
85	7	Specialise in research topics through in-depth critique of the literature, acquisition of advanced data analysis skills, sustained independent investigation of a research question, developing interdisciplinary research proposals to solve global challenges and reflecting on their own and other's research processes and approaches.
86
87	Diverse entry routes
88	Detail how you would support students from diverse entry routes to transition into the programme. For example, disciplinary knowledge and conventions of the discipline, language skills, academic and writing skills, lab skills, academic integrity.
89	Stage 1 includes 2 x 20 credit skills modules that introduce core laboratory and data analysis skills with no assumption of prior knowledge. The level of complexity is built up slowly over the year. Small group tutorials are embedded in the skills modules and will include formative work in writing, communication, academic integrity and skills such as literature searching and creative thinking. The tutorials provide a supportive environment to develop both scientific and transferable skills. The Stage 1 subject modules provide teaching in diverse formats with a high number of interactive workshop sessions. Students have a variety of ways to interact with staff and ask questions - from face-to-face through to anonymous discussion boards or Menti. The VLE-based Biology Skills Hub complements the University's Study Guides in providing subject specific learning support ranging from writing and presentation skills, through to chemistry and maths. This resource is available throughout the degree.
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98	Inclusion
99
100	Please confirm by ticking the box on the right that the design, content and delivery of the programme will support students from all backgrounds to succeed. This refers to the University's duties under the Equality Act 2010. You may wish to refer to the optional Inclusive Learning self-assessment tools to support reflection on this issue.									TRUE