Bachelor of Science (BSc)

BSc Biomedical Sciences with a Modern Language

Develop your language skills while you study the biomedical sciences to enhance your employability.
  • Duration: 48 Months. [Full-Time]
  • Year of entry: 2025
  • UCAS course code: B9R9 / Institution code: M20
  • Key features:
  • Study abroad
  • Study with a language
  • Accredited course

Full entry requirementsHow to apply

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Fees and funding

Fees

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £34,500 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

Tuition fees are considerably lower for your placement year. Please see the fees page for full details.

Additional expenses

Tuition fees are considerably lower for your placement year. Please see the fees pages for full details.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

Students participating in placements outside the UK may be able to apply for funding from the UK's Turing scheme depending on eligibility. Priority will be given to students from low income households.

Course unit details:
Genome Maintenance & Regulation

Course unit fact file
Unit code BIOL21101
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 2
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

Relative stability of the genome is essential if an organism is to function and reproduce. Equally, changes in the genome are important as they allow a species to evolve taking on new characteristics, which may provide a competitive advantage. You will study the molecular processes which cells use to reproduce and to repair their DNA and the molecular mechanisms, such as recombination and mobile gene elements, which bring about changes in the genome. Genome regulation at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional and translational levels will also be considered.

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
Biochemistry BIOL10212 Pre-Requisite Recommended
Molecular Biology BIOL10221 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
BIOL21101 Pre- & Co-requisites are BIOL10221

BIOL21101 Pre- & Co-requisites are BIOL10221

Aims

To provide a general overview of how a genome is maintained and regulated in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. This will be achieved using an example and paradigm-orientated approach, emphasising common themes related to mechanism.

 

Learning outcomes

Students will be expected to have basic knowledge and understanding of:

  • The mechanisms by which prokaryotes and eukaryotes detect and repair DNA damage
  • Genome regulation at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional and translational levels
  • Regulation of DNA replication during cell growth and interaction with transcription and DNA repair processes
  • Recombination and mobile gene elements, and their roles in genome function and evolution
  • Genome structure including nuclear and organelle genomes and implications for regulation

Syllabus

Gene regulation in prokaryotes
•    Promoter architecture, regulatory networks, gene regulation and signalling by nutrients and stress in prokaryotes; roles of RNA in prokaryotic gene regulation
Gene regulation in eukaryotes
•    Sequence-specific transcription factors families; mechanisms of transcriptional stimulation - coactivators, repressors and chromatin remodelling; signalling to the nucleus; tissue-specific and developmental gene regulation
•    The co-transcriptional regulation of mRNA processing; generating the transcriptome - alternative splicing, mRNA turnover, RNA interference; RNA nucleocytoplasmic export and the control of mRNA localization
•    The mechanism and control of eukaryotic protein synthesis
DNA replication - basic models of regulation during cell growth in yeast and higher eukaryotes, bacterial and viral DNA replication
Mechanisms of DNA repair- error-prone, recombination, transcription-coupled excision repair; detection of DNA damage in eukaryotes and prokaryotes
Horizontal gene transfer - transduction, transformation, conjugation; DNA segregation.
Transposons and retroviruses; their effect on genome evolution, organisation and function
Organelle genomes, evolution, composition, regulation and maintenance


eLearning modules with both formative and summative online assessment; group based ePoster activities
 

Employability skills

Analytical skills
eLearning assignments and exam include data handling problems.
Group/team working
Students take part in an online ePoster activity in groups of 4.
Innovation/creativity
Opportunity for these skills to be developed through the ePoster exercise.
Leadership
There is the opportunity to develop these skills as part of the ePoster exercise.
Project management
Students must manage and participate in their groups to submit the poster by a fixed deadline.
Oral communication
Students are encouraged to ask questions during lectures.
Problem solving
eLearning assignments, teaching material and exam include data handling problems.
Research
ePoster exercise, exam and eLearning assignments.
Written communication
Examination and ePoster activity.

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Other 5%
Written exam 80%
Oral assessment/presentation 15%

Examination (80%), problem-based eLearning exercises (5%), and a group-based ePoster presentation (15%).

Feedback methods

Online MCQs based on lectures will allow students to practice MCQs and obtain continuous formative feedback on their own progress and understanding. Electronically marked components of the unit assessment allow students to monitor their own progress. An online discussion forum is available for communication between students and staff. Feedback on examination performance will be delivered online once results have been published.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Assessment written exam 1.5
Lectures 22
Independent study hours
Independent study 76.5

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
David Boam Unit coordinator

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