BSc and MBiochem Biochemistry Programme Specification 2023-24

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1	ACADEMIC QUALITY TEAM
2	Programme Specifications 2023-24
3	Revised February 2023
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6	Programme Title			BSc and MBiochem Biochemistry
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8	This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:			Sept 2023		Award type			BSc and MBiochem
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10	What level is this qualification?			6/7		Length of programme			3 years (BSc) or 4 years (MBiochem). Year abroad/industry additional year options.
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12	Mode of study (Full / Part Time)			Full
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14	Will the programme use standard University semester dates?			Yes		For York Online programmes, will standard dates for such programmes be used?
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16	Awarding institution			University of York		Board of Studies for the programme			Biology
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18	Lead department			Biology		Other contributing departments			Chemistry
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20	Language of study and assessment			English		Language(s) of assessment			English
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22	Is this a campus-based or online programme?			Campus-based
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24	Partner organisations
25	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
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29	Reference points
30	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).
31	QAA Subject Benchmark Statements for Biosciences; requirements for Royal Society of Biology degree accreditation as stated in the RSB degree accreditation handbook; University's Framework for Programme Design
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34	Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
35	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
36	No
37	No
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39	Exceptions to Regulations
40	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.
41	N/A
42	N/A
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44	Internal Transfers
45	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.
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47		Transfers in:	No			Transfers out:	No
48			No				No
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50	Statement of Purpose
51	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.
52	What is it that makes chemical compounds come together to form living organisms? The answer to this question is found within the discipline of biochemistry, which sits at the interface between the chemical, physical and life sciences. Biochemistry has a vital part to play in dealing with many current critical issues such as human health and disease, the growth of biotechnology, and feeding the world’s growing population. Technological advances in DNA sequencing and structural biology have provided unprecedented amounts of data about biological systems in the form of complete genome sequences and high-resolution structural detail of large macromolecules. It is through biochemistry that we can translate these data into a better understanding of how living systems work, and hence design better drugs to deal with disease and optimise biotechnological processes. The Biochemistry degree programmes at York are the result of a long-standing and fruitful collaboration between the Departments of Biology and Chemistry. Both of these departments have excellent facilities for teaching and research and are ranked consistently amongst the top Biology and Chemistry Departments for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey with a majority of the academics in both departments being research active. This research impacts on many aspects of our teaching of biochemistry and undergraduates will have an opportunity to experience working in a state-of-the-art biochemical laboratory during their final year research project. We offer BSc and MBiochem degrees in Biochemistry which are both accredited by the Royal Society of Biology and can be taken with either an additional year in industry, year abroad, or a placement year in an alternative work setting. The MBiochem offers an additional year that specifically focuses on the skills needed for a career as a research scientist. During this time the student does an extended research project within one of the UK’s top departments in Biology or Chemistry to learn specialised techniques and gain experience in a cutting edge research lab. This is a particularly exciting time to study biochemistry as the demand for biochemists continues to rise and job prospects in the field are excellent.
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63	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).
64	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
65	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 the principles, concepts and theories on the structure, function, and distribution of the chemical building blocks of life, the macromolecular constituents of living organisms, and the chemical reactions that drive biological processes in cells and organisms, through evaluations of lecture content and basic scientific literature; formulate basic hypotheses, design and execute simple experiments for the collection and analysis of biochemical 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 biochemistry; apply logical reasoning and creative thinking to address biochemical 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)
66	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 on the structure, function, and distribution of the chemical building blocks of life, the macromolecular constituents of living organisms, and the chemical reactions that drive biological processes in cells and organisms drawing upon a range of scientific literature; formulate hypotheses, design and execute experiments for the collection, analysis and modelling of biochemical data to produce figures, graphs and tables that are explained in laboratory reports; evaluate experimental, analytical 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 biochemical 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 biochemical problems; communicate and interpret information with clarity and precision through critical reviews in written, oral and other explanations, demonstrating the impact of biochemistry for real-world and global issues for diverse audiences; demonstrate independence, originality, creativity and a deep understanding of current practice and technology in biochemistry, and apply numerical, quantitative, and computer-based transferable skills to a range of working environments.			240 credits (Stage 2)
67	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 Biochemistry having given thorough explanations of the principles, concepts and theories on the structure, function, and distribution of the chemical building blocks of life, the macromolecular constituents of living organisms, and the chemical reactions that drive biological processes in cells and organisms. 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 (120c Stage 1, 120c Stage 2 + 60c Stage 3)
68	BSc. (from Integrated Masters)			No	The BSc. PLOs will have been met.			360 credits (120c from Stages 1, 2 & 3) but has not progressed to Stage 4.
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70	Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc.
71	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...'
72	1	Provide thorough explanations that demonstrate a deep understanding of the principles, concepts and theories on the structure, function, and distribution of the chemical building blocks of life, the macromolecular constituents of living organisms, and the chemical reactions that drive biological processes in cells and organisms, through critical evaluations of the primary scientific literature in Biochemistry.
73	2	Formulate hypotheses, design and execute experiments for the collection, analysis and modelling of biochemical data, that tests biochemical molecules and reactions and produce figures, graphs and tables explained in comprehensive laboratory reports.
74	3	Thoroughly evaluate experimental, analytical 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 interdisciplinary challenges in Biochemistry of the 21st century.
75	4	Work effectively as an individual, in teams and laboratory groups to develop creative and innovative solutions to biochemical problems by applying logical reasoning, lateral thinking and critical reflection to develop safe, ethical and socially responsible solutions that may benefit humankind.
76	5	Communicate and interpret complex information with clarity and precision through written and oral critical reviews, questioning dogma and demonstrating impact at the forefront of Biochemistry in real-world and global issues, to expert, professional, business, industrial and lay audiences.
77	6	Demonstrate independence, originality, creativity, and a deep understanding of cutting-edge practice and technology in Biochemistry, and apply numerical, quantitative, and computer-based transferable skills to a range of academic and non-academic working environments.
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79	Programme Learning Outcomes for MBiochem.
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81	1	Provide systematic explanations that demonstrate a deep understanding of the principles, concepts and theories on the structure, function, and distribution of the chemical building blocks of life, the macromolecular constituents of living organisms, and the chemical reactions that drive biological processes in cells and organisms, through critical evaluations of the scientific literature at the forefront of Biochemical research.
82	2	Formulate hypotheses, design and execute experiments for the collection, analysis and modelling of biochemical data, that tests the current understanding of biochemical molecules and reactions, and produce figures, graphs and tables explained in comprehensive research reports.
83	3	Identify and critically evaluate state-of-the-art experimental, analytical 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 in tackling the major interdisciplinary challenges in Biochemistry of the 21st century.
84	4	Work effectively as an individual, a team member or leader in collaborative groups, by applying logical and critical thinking and reflection to develop creative and innovative solutions to complex problems in biochemical research, and proactively develop and implement safe, ethical, sustainable and socially responsible solutions that would benefit humankind.
85	5	Communicate and interpret complex information with confidence, clarity and precision through written and oral critical review, questioning dogma and thoroughly evaluating the impact of biochemical research in real-world and global issues, to expert, professional, business, industrial and lay audiences.
86	6	Demonstrating self-direction, originality, creativity, and a critical understanding of cutting-edge practice and technology in biochemical research, and apply numerical, quantitative, and computer-based transferable skills to a range of academic and non-academic working environments.
87	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 research proposals to solve interdisciplinary challenges and reflecting on their own and other's research processes and approaches.
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89	Diverse entry routes
90	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.
91	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.
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100	Inclusion