Programme Specification

Programme Specification HBS-2014: Human Biosciences LU Foundation Degree in Science awarded by Lancaster University (FHEQ Level 5) LU Bachelor of Science (Honours) awarded by Lancaster University (FHEQ Level 6) Status: Approved Version: 1

Introduction This programme specification provides a summary of the main features of the Human Biosciences programme and the learning outcomes that you as a student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate on successful completion of the programme. Further detailed information related to this programme and the College can be found in the following resources: Programme Handbook B&FC Student Handbook B&FC Admissions Policy Work based and placement learning handbook (for foundation degrees) Student guide to assessment and feedback Key Programme Information Programme Code Programme Title HBS-2014 Human Biosciences Teaching Institution Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) Accreditation UCAS Code Language of Study Version 1 Approval Status Programme Overview Blackpool and The Fylde College None TBC English Approved Approval Date 04 May 2017 JACS Code Programme Leader Programme Awards Linda Martin Award Award Type Level Awarding Body LU Foundation Degree in Science LU Bachelor of Science (Honours) Foundation Degree (240 credits) Honours Degree (360 credits) Level 5 Lancaster University Level 6 Lancaster University Blackpool and the Fylde College remains committed to providing a highly responsive curriculum that is employment and future-focused and will enable students to develop the essential knowledge and skills that will prepare them for future success in work and life. Changing demographics and lifestyles are leading to increased demands on the NHS and hence the economy so human disease and its treatment is a key priority for the UK Government. Current developments in non-medical science, related to healthcare are driving change in the delivery of HE science programmes. There is a move towards developing a skills approach to teaching that satisfies the needs of a rapidly changing life science industry. The UK Government is committed to investment in science and has set out its plans in the Strategy for Life Sciences (2011) document which shows how UK industry, academia and the NHS should work together to ensure that skills are present in the workforce and that the UK remains a global Blackpool and The Fylde College Page 2 of 10

leader in the life science industry. The BSc Human Biosciences programme has been designed to meet the needs of the national developments in this sector. The programme is aligned with the QAA subject specific benchmarks for Biosciences and develops knowledge and critical understanding of the wellestablished principles in the area. The ethos of the programme is to embed skills development in terms of knowledge application, mathematical and practical techniques within all modules and to link with employers to ensure that these skills remain current and relevant to industry. You will develop a range of analytical and scientific skills and practical techniques of enquiry to enable you to apply knowledge, understanding and skills in the workplace. During your studies, you will be given the opportunity to identify and solve problems and will be able to communicate your arguments and analysis in a range of ways to different audiences. Experience derived from links with local employers such as the Pathology Lab at Blackpool Victoria Hospital and North West Laboratories has been used in the design of the programme and so, wherever possible, assessments will include work based examples. Transferable and graduate skills promoting Lifelong Learning are a key component of the course and will be developed through Personal Development Planning and in the encouragement of your engagement with professional organisations such as the Society of Biology. The life science industry in the UK is growing faster than the economy as a whole and as such is a key employer nationally. The UK Government has recognised that considerable investment is necessary to achieve its aim to become a global hub for the life sciences so attracting business from abroad. In turn, this will require a highly skilled workforce at higher numbers and therefore the BSc Human Biosciences is well placed to make a contribution to this effort and equally you will benefit from the increased demand for highly skilled scientific personnel. Admission Criteria Acceptance for Level 4 entry to the programme would normally be on the following basis: - 120 UCAS points which include Biology OR - PPP BTEC Extended Diploma Level 3 Science Subject Area Mature students are accepted on an individual basis dependent on prior qualifications and relevant experience Admissions Policy Students with a disability will be identified on application and an individual assessment will take place. Any reasonable adjustments identified through this assessment will be implemented on enrolment. Suitable work placements, which may also involve reasonable adjustments will be assessed and advice given to students. All new students who meet the specified entry requirements will apply through UCAS. Accredited Prior Learning Students who have successfully completed an Edexcel BTEC Level 4 HNC or Level 5 HND Diploma in Applied Biology (QCF) may be recognised for Accredited Prior Learning (APL) according to the units which they have completed. This will be limited to Level 4 modules and students may only show APL for a maximum of 3 modules. Modules that will be recognised as prior learning will be limited to: Unit 1 (Unit code: T/601/0215) Cell Biology and will replace HBS101 Cell Biology; Blackpool and The Fylde College Page 3 of 10

Unit 3 (Unit code: J/601/0218) Physiology of Cellular Systems in Animals and will replace HBS102 Anatomy and Physiology I; Unit 22 (Unit code: K/601/0292) Chemistry for Applied Biologists and will replace HBS104 Introductory Chemistry. Course content of the HNC units listed above and the Learning Outcomes of the FdSc / BSc modules are closely linked. Assessment strategies may differ between these programmes and so each student will be assessed prior to the start of the course and structured tutorial sessions offered to address any gaps. Direct entry to Level 6 would normally be on the basis of: A Lancaster University validated FdSc Human Biosciences at Commendation level or above. Career Options and Progression Opportunities Upon successful completion of the FdSc Humand Biosciences with Commendation you may progress onto the BSc Honours degree. This clear progression route facilitates opportunities for successful progression from Foundation Degree to at least one Bachelor s Degree with Honours as shown in the QAA FD benchmarks. The skills acquired on the Foundation degree will prepare you for the BSc top up year. At levels 4 and 5 you will develop analytical and research skills based on academic literature which prepares you for the top up year, where more independent learning and critical analysis is developed. Upon graduating from the BSc programme you may progress onto Level 7 courses, a number of which are offered by regional universities such as Lancaster University and the University of Central Lancashire at Preston. You may also wish to progress into teaching and progress onto a PGCE qualification within the college or externally. Graduates from the BSc Human Biosciences can enter a wide range of scientific employment both within the North-West and further afield. The list below gives examples of the types of employment opportunities graduates would be eligible to apply for: Graduate Research Analyst; Laboratory Technician; Quality Systems Assistant; Logistics Co-ordinator; Biology Sale Executive; Graduate Junior Copywriter; Quality Assurance Technician; Scientific Communication. Other areas of employment include teaching at primary, secondary, tertiary and higher education. Programme Aims - Encourage critical engagement with the published academic literature in the field of Human Biosciences with a view to producing original and creative ideas including the justification of approaches taken. - Offer the opportunity to critically evaluate data from a range of sources and be able to propose alternative methodologies or solutions. - Develop an awareness of limitations in personal skills and attributes becoming independent in Blackpool and The Fylde College Page 4 of 10

identifying appropriate steps for improvement which will contribute to lifelong learning. Programme Learning Outcomes Level 5 Upon successful completion of this level, students will be able to: 1. Describe, explain and discuss key scientific principles in the field of human biosciences which are scientifically accurate. 2. Select appropriate theoretical concepts or practical techniques to solve problems and identify the most appropriate solution. 3. Generate primary data using a range of techniques, describe trends and patterns in data and discuss limitations in the quality of the data. 4. Communicate information to a range of intended audiences in a range of media. 5. Design scientific studies to achieve valid and reliable data in a manner that reflects industrial practice. 6. Reflect on and evaluate personal performance and identify realistic improvements to develop skills and attributes. 7. Manage workload, producing work at the required level meeting deadlines. Level 6 Upon successful completion of this level, students will be able to: 8. Construct coherent arguments using information from a variety of sources and produce work which has a creative and individual element. 9. Communicate complex information about human biosciences to a range of intended audiences in a range of media. 10. Critically analyse scientific data from both primary and secondary sources. 11. Critically reflect on and evaluate personal performance and identify realistic improvements with justification to develop skills and attributes. 12. Design scientific studies to achieve goals developed through analysis of current research and identify areas for further study through evaluation of the scientific process. 13. Independently plan, manage and execute individual projects producing high quality work at the required level addressing problems throughout and evaluating progress. Blackpool and The Fylde College Page 5 of 10

Programme Structure Pathway Module Level Credits Coursework Practical Written Exam Human Biosciences Stage 1: Year 1 Stage exit award: LU Certificate of Higher Education (Awarded by Lancaster University) All BFC402-E: Academic and Digital Literacy (Science) HBS401: Cell Biology and Genetics HBS402: Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 HBS404: Introductory Chemistry HBS405: Laboratory Skills HBS406: Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 Human Biosciences Stage 2: Year 2 Stage exit award: LU Foundation Degree in Science (Awarded by Lancaster University) All BFC501-E: Work Based and Placement Learning HBS501: Biochemistry HBS502: Introduction to Human Health and Disease HBS504: Project HBS505: Medical Microbiology HBS506: Infectious Diseases and the Immune System Human Biosciences Stage 3: Year 3 Stage exit award: LU Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Awarded by Lancaster University) All HBS601: Genetic Disease and Molecular Diagnosis HBS603: Dissertation HBS604: Drugs and Disease HBS605: Biotechnology for Health HBS606: Research in Chronic Disease 4 20 50% 50% 4 20 100% 4 20 25% 75% 4 20 30% 70% 4 20 100% 4 20 100% 5 20 100% 5 20 70% 30% 5 20 50% 50% 5 20 100% 5 20 100% 5 20 70% 30% 6 20 100% 6 40 90% 10% 6 20 50% 50% 6 20 100% 6 20 100% Programme Delivery: Learning and Teaching The overall programme design will allow you to become autonomous scientists, with a broad Blackpool and The Fylde College Page 6 of 10

base of knowledge in the human biosciences and with the skills to perform within employment with an awareness of your own limitations. To this end, the programme is designed to become more challenging through the semesters and levels, with a reduction in directed learning and support, to learning that is more independent and is self-directed. In line with the QAA Foundation Degree and Biosciences benchmarks, the delivery of the course will encompass a range of strategies which include (but are not limited to); lectures / presentations, practical work in the laboratory, seminars and workshops, projects, work placements and tutorials. All delivery methods will be supported by access to electronic information through the academic staff, the college s Moodle VLE and the Learning Resource staff. Teaching and learning will involve a mixture of independent study and group work. Level 4 At level 4 there will be an emphasis on teacher directed study towards development of subject knowledge. Lectures, reading for comprehension from short review articles, summary of set text and note taking will be key teaching and learning strategies. Building on these skills for semester 2, seminars, peer teaching, group work and more independent research will be encouraged. Practical skills development in biosciences graduates is a requirement by employers and therefore a key development point on this programme. You will be directed in elements of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) such as using standard operating procedures, preparation of standard solutions, reagents and buffers, record keeping, sample integrity, checking calibration of equipment and health and safety assessment. You will be provided with a laboratory notebook at each level of the FdSc programme and directed to keep accurate records of all practical activities, reflecting industry practice. Practical work at level 4 will be teacher directed with an emphasis on following protocols exactly to achieve accurate results through repetition. Mathematical skills are integrated in the programme through the semesters and levels (see Appendix D for further mapping of skills). At level 4 there is opportunity to understand the units used in measurement. By the end of semester one you should have covered units in length, volume and mass and be able to interchange them as required. Use of standard form is introduced and integrated into modules. Simple algebraic equations will be used in semester 1 and 2 alongside the use of balanced equations in calculations. Percentage yields will be assessed in Introductory Chemistry and graphs and the use of standard curves will be established in Laboratory Skills. Basic statistical analyses will be introduced at this level including hypothesis testing. Work based learning is integrated into all modules at Level 4 exploring the application of knowledge and techniques in the work place. The incorporation of elements of GLP will allow you to form good habits in the laboratory which will enable them to move onto the Work Based/Placement Learning module at Level 5. Through a range of teaching and assessment techniques, students will be given the opportunity to improve their communication skills including verbal, electronic, reporting and technical to a variety of intended audiences. Level 5 At level 5 more independent research, sharing of ideas on Moodle forums, and the selection of resources for class activities will be encouraged. Increased independent research will support the increase in seminar sessions at this level. Text will be reviewed through analysis rather than comprehension. Discussion in the classroom will enable you to analyse information and formulate opinion on current topics whilst building on communication skills. In the Drugs and Disease (project) module, you will be expected to run your own investigations as would be the case in a research lab. For example, routine maintenance of equipment will be carried out on a rota system. There is an element of problem solving in the project, which will be Blackpool and The Fylde College Page 7 of 10

excellent preparation for your dissertation at Level 6. At level 5 there is more opportunity to select with justification and apply appropriate practical techniques to novel situations. You will be expected to make decisions in practical work before asking for assistance. Lecturing staff will question you on your choice of approach and ask searching and open-ended questions to allow you to develop your problem-solving skills. Advanced statistical tests will be introduced at this level using a variety of parametric and nonparametric tests to analyse data. Numerical skills introduced at level 4 will be repeated and built on at level 5 including algebra, measurements and GLP. There will be an opportunity to introduce qualitative data analysis and compare this to quantitative methods. Work based learning is integrated in all levels of the programme with elements of GLP introduced at level 4 and developed in level 5. Wherever possible work based scenarios are used in formative or summative assessment and are formally assessed in the Work Based Learning Module. Communication skills will be developed through the use of presentations, public engagement and scientific report writing. You will build on those skills formed at level 4 so that you become confident in your approach, use of information and technical language, whilst also being able to think quickly for example, during question and answer sessions. Engagement with the general public in Introduction to Human Disease module will allow you to gain confidence in public communication and explore the factors which affect effective dialogue of scientific principles. Communication within teams/groups will be integrated through the tutorial sessions, with opportunity for you to develop appropriate listening and speaking skills. The presentation of individual information through CV writing and interview techniques will form part of the Work Based/Placement Learning module and tutorial sessions. You will be expected to carry out highly independent research at this level with the expectation that content delivered in class will be simply an introduction to the knowledge base. Critical analysis of information will take the form of increased group and seminar work, and you will be expected to carry out extensive prior reading before classes. This will equip you with the skills to form an evidence-based argument using evidence of background research. Presentation of analysed text by individuals or groups on topic areas will form the basis of student lead seminar activities. At level 6 you will be expected to implement GLP without direction. Your prior experience at levels 4 and 5 will allow you to develop your individual dissertation where you will complete a comprehensive, self-directed study. Practical work will be used to support knowledge, understanding and application of theory to industry-based processes. You will be expected to apply your skills of statistical analysis in your dissertation and the collection of data in laboratory-based practicals. A critical evaluation of the techniques used will allow you to gain confidence in problem-solving allowing staff the opportunity to question your approach to enhance your higher thinking skills. At level 6 you will be expected to hone your communication skills through the delivery of information at an appropriate level in a wide range of settings. These will include seminars, presentations, scientific reports, examinations and tutorial sessions. The culmination of this will be the dissertation which may also include a viva to justify approach. Tutorial sessions will encourage you to practice interview skills and presentation of information through CV writing in preparation for seeking employment. This will have already been introduced at Level 5 through the Work Based and Placement Learning module. Programme Delivery: Assessment Assessment strategies will aim to test a range of skills and knowledge and, whilst following the regulations laid out by the awarding university, will include (but may not be limited to); unseen Blackpool and The Fylde College Page 8 of 10

examinations, self and peer assessments, practical reports, essays, data interpretation, critical analyses of data (especially in Level 6), oral presentations, dissertation and portfolio. Within each level, assessment will be co-ordinated to provide a balance of assessment strategies so as to develop a number of skills. These will become progressively more challenging, allowing you to demonstrate skill development and knowledge acquisition. Level 4 Formative Formative assessment at level 4 will encompass a wide range of techniques to support you in the completion of assessment work and introduce new skills and techniques for learning. Formative assessment will include verbal and written feedback both within the classroom and also through structured homework or electronic integration. Practical work carried out in class will allow staff to give feedback on practice and check competencies. Individual tutorial sessions will allow more detailed, one-to-one support. Guidance on completion of the GLP lab book will be available. Summative A variety of summative assessments take place which encompass different skills appropriate to the modules and industry. Practical work, examinations, coursework and an e-portfolio will allow you to be assessed on a wide variety of skills developed over the year. The use of case studies is introduced at this level. Level 5 Formative Building on from Level 4, formative assessment will include more verbal questioning by staff, developing your reasoning and justification skills. Feedback on the laboratory book following GLP will be more probing and allow you to independently question your performance. You will peer-review work completed in class and feedback on practical performance will continue. Summative Again, a mixture of practical and written assessment is included at this level alongside the required examined components. Case studies and scientific reports will build on student s skills. The project module requires a full investigation report to be completed in a scientific format. A critical reflection on the Work Based/Placement Learning module along with a report gives you the opportunity to be assessed on your work placement. Level 6 Assessment strategies will aim to test a range of skills and knowledge and, whilst following the regulations laid out by the awarding university, will include (but may not be limited to); unseen examinations, self and peer assessments, practical reports, essays, data interpretation, critical analyses of data (especially in Level 6), oral presentations, dissertation and portfolio. Within each level, assessment will be co-ordinated to provide a balance of assessment strategies so as to develop a number of skills. These will become progressively more challenging, allowing you to demonstrate skill development and knowledge acquisition. Formative At this level formative assessment will revolve around the questioning, developing your critical analysis. Seminar and group tutorials will allow you to peer assess each other and develop appropriate feedback skills. Blackpool and The Fylde College Page 9 of 10

Summative The Dissertation report in the form of a scientific academic paper forms the basis of summative assessment at this level. Examinations will focus on the critical analysis of information along with case studies which will enable you to justify your approach or conclusion using evidence from background research. Programme Delivery: Work Based and Placement Learning Aims of Placement The underpinning philosophy of the FdSc is to integrate theoretical knowledge and understanding and to develop transferable skills directly applicable to the work context and to serve future employability needs. In each module, reference will be made to the application of theory of key concepts and techniques to the work place in preparation for work placement and future employment. The programmes are targeted for people who are pursuing a career or employment within the human biosciences sector, which is wide and varied in nature. All students will benefit from the knowledge and skills acquired through the programmes study and assessment. Central to this aim is the inclusion of work-based activities and simulations throughout the Foundation Degree Levels 4 and 5. Work Based/Placement Learning at Level 5 will provide students with the opportunity to undertake a minimum of 96 hours work placement in an appropriate area. Assessment will be through the production of a report documenting the activities undertaken and the skills developed during the placement and will feed directly into the Personal Development Plan. Personal Development Planning Through a structured tutorial system, you will have the opportunity to record and reflect on the skills developed at all levels. A number of transferable skills will be encouraged and developed with emphasis on building your own Personal Development Plan to become an independent student. Blackpool and The Fylde College Page 10 of 10