Biological Sciences MBiolSci (Integrated Masters)

This module is designed to: Provide students with an insight into the process of scientific research and debate in a setting outwith the University of Liverpool; expose students to new research and cultural environments; develop in students the confidence to work independently and in a team, to effectively and efficiently attain a scientific goal; develop student's ability to communicate scientific concepts and findings in a variety of formats. Develop students' employability skills.

(LO1) Critically reflect on the development of employability skills through accurate record of their experiences

(LO2) Appropriately communicate findings, in a variety of formats (oral, written reports) to supervisor, research staff and peers describing their experiences during the internship, including the research objectives of research team in which the internship took place, and the rationale behind the project design;

(LO3) Appraise current work placement practice in relation to both employer and employees outcomes

(LO4) Analyse and critically evaluate data, information and observations, and draw valid conclusions;

(LO5) Identify personal and research transferables skills, linking them to employability.

(S1) Problem solving skills

(S2) Teamwork

(S3) Communication skills

(S4) Ethical awareness

To develop in students a critical understanding  of the origin, valueand limitations of the types of data generated by different omic technologies and of appropriate tools for analysis of the data.  To introduce students to  how bioinformatics is used to solve real-world research questions at post-graduate level, with reference to postgraduate research projects and beyond.

(LO1) Apply bioinformatics tools to address a wide range of real-world analytical tasks involving biological information

(LO2) Analyse critically the principles underlying the current generation of research tools

(LO3)  Exploit the information available in a wide variety of biological databases to address current research questions

(S1) Students will also develop independent learning and self-evalution skills

(S2) Critical thinking

The module aims to introduce students to a set of key concepts and case studies in contemporary evolutionary and behavioural biology such that they can apply key ideas in a critical and evaluative manner

(LO1) Synthesise new information on evolutionary and behaviour research

(LO2) Explain complex evolutionary and behavioural topics for both generalist and specialist biologists

(LO3) Critically evaluate evolutionary and behavioural evidence, and suggest novel areas for research.

(S1) Team (group) working respecting others, co-operating, negotiating / persuading, awareness of interdependence with others

(S2) Communication, listening and questioning respecting others, contributing to discussions, communicating in a foreign language, influencing, presentations

(S3) Information literacy online, finding, interpreting, evaluating, managing and sharing information

(S4) Problem solving/ critical thinking/ creativity analysing facts and situations and applying creative thinking to develop appropriate solutions.

(S5) Literacy application of literacy, ability to produce clear, structured written work and oral literacy - including listening and questioning

To illustrate the importance of cellular responses to external signals and how signalling information is transferred within cells;

To define, in detail, the range of different strategies used by cells for dealing with signalling information and the processing of signalling information;

To develop knowledge and deep understanding in biochemistry and biomedicine, and the ability to apply, critically evaluate, and interpret this knowledge to solve complex problems in cell signalling.

(LO1) Compare and contrast the range of different mechanisms utilised for the transfer of signalling information within eukaryotic cells;

(LO2) Critically discuss the concepts and features underlying different signalling mechanisms;

(LO3) Evaluate the contributions made by specific signalling mechanisms in different cellular and physiological responses;

(LO4) Apply, critically evaluate and interpret this knowledge to define and solve complex problems in biochemistry and molecular biology and will be able to review evidence to support their conclusions.

(S1) Lifelong learning skills;

(S2) Problem solving skills;

(S3) Communication skills.

This module aims to:

1. Explore the application of molecular genetics and computational biology in the study and treatment of human disease;

2. Show how the human genome project has resulted in the identification of disease-associated genes;

3. Study in detail selected diseases such as inherited metabolic disease and muscular dystrophy;

4. Develop in students the ability to apply, critically evaluate and interpret this knowledge to solve complex problems in molecular medicine.

(LO1) Evaluate critically how genetic information can be used to identify susceptibility to disease;

(LO2) Explain, in detail, the molecular processes underlying inherited diseases such as inherited metabolic diseases, phenylketonuria and muscular dystrophy;

(LO3) Appraise the latest developments in the use of adult and embryonic stem cells in regenerative medicine;

(LO4) Review critically the challenges associated with drug-discovery programmes;

(LO5) Critically evaluate the latest bioinformatics and computer-based approaches used in modern drug design;

(LO6) Synthesise information, critically review evidence to support conclusions, and define complex problems by applying appropriate knowledge and skills;

(LO7) Students will also develop independent learning and self-evaluation skills.

This module aims to:

1. Describe the latest research on the role of viruses as important pathogens of humans and animals;

2. Describe, in detail, viral virulence mechanisms, immune evasion and vaccine development;

3. Develop knowledge and deep understanding in microbiology, and ability to apply, critically evaluate and interpret this knowledge to solve complex problems.

(LO1) Explain, at the molecular level, the mechanisms of replication and pathogenesis of a range of different virus families

(LO2) Critically evaluate the contribution of virus infection to diseases in both humans and animals and hypotheses on the evolution of virulence;

(LO3) Evaluate the immune control of virus infection and describe viral immune evasion strategies;

(LO4) Appraise current approaches to prevention and treatment of a range of virus infections;

(LO5) Evaluate modern approaches to investigating virus pathogenesis;

(LO6) Explain current theories on the importance of globalization and climate change on the emergence and re-emergence of virus disease;

(LO7) Synthesise information, critically review evidence to support conclusions, and define and solve complex problems in virology by applying appropriate knowledge and skills.

(S1) Students will also develop independent learning and self-evaluation skills.

This module aims to:
1. Describe the exploitation of microorganisms and microbial processes for biotechnological applications;
2. Discuss economical and ethical aspects of the development of novel products and environmental benefits using biotechnological processes.;
3. Explain the processes of antibiotic production, the use of microbes as hosts for mammalian gene products, plant biomass conversion and the uses and development of biosensors;
4. Develop knowledge and deep understanding in microbiology, and the ability to apply, critically evaluate and interpret this knowledge to solve complex problems.

(LO1) On successful completion of this module, the students should be able to: 1. Critically evaluate the economics, ethics and regulation of modern biotechnological processes;

(LO2) Critically appraise the impact of recombinant DNA technology on the biotechnology industry;

(LO3) Discuss modern approaches to strain improvement and genetic manipulation;

(LO4) Detail current approaches in microbial technology for the production of alternative fuels and feedstuffs;

(LO5) Critically describe The Human Microbiome Project;

(LO6) Synthesise information, critically review evidence to support conclusions, and define and solve complex problems in microbial biotechnology by applying appropriate knowledge and skills.

(LO7) Students will also develop independent learning and self-evaluation skills

This module aims to:

1. Explain the diversity of microbial life and its adaptation to environment;

2. Describe bacteria and fungi that have interesting properties as model systems, as well as making important contributions with regard to microbiological processes, both natural and engineered;

3. Develop knowledge and deep understanding in microbiology, and ability to apply, critically evaluate and interpret this knowledge to solve complex problems.

(LO1) Appraise the principles and practice underpinning bacterial taxonomy;

(LO2) Critically evaluate the contribution of modern molecular techniques in determining phylogenies and the composition of bacterial and fungal communities;

(LO3) Explain in detail how bacteria and fungi grow and adapt to their environment;

(LO4) Evaluate the contributions made by key model systems to the understanding of bacterial and fungal growth and differentiation;

(LO5) Synthesise information, critically review eveidence to support conclusions and define and solve complex problems in microbiology by applying appropriate knowledge and skills.

(S1) Problem solving/ critical thinking/ creativity analysing facts and situations and applying creative thinking to develop appropriate solutions.

To provide a broad overview of the use of a scripting language for performing basic tasks in the biological sciences, with examples demonstrated through the use of Python. 

(LO1) Use Python for basic scripting

(LO2) Understand data structures in python and how to apply them to biological data

(LO3) Use regular expressions for manipulating biological data

(LO4) Use Python for manipulating files and controlling the running of external programs

(LO5) Design and build simple relational databases

(S1) Communication, listening and questioning respecting others, contributing to discussions, communicating in a foreign language, influencing, presentations

(S2) Team (group) working respecting others, co-operating, negotiating / persuading, awareness of interdependence with others

Provide a critical insight into physiological mechanisms underpinning adaptation to potentially hostile environmental conditions;

Provide an opportunity to study in depth the integration and evolution of physiological mechanisms;

Develop a critical understanding of animal physiology, and the ability to apply, critically evaluate and interpret this knowledge to solve complex physiological problems.

(LO1) Appraise current concepts linking extreme environments to physiological stress;

(LO2) Evaluate physiological adaptations to potentially hostile environmental conditions, such as anoxia, high hydrostatic pressure and extreme temperatures

(LO3) Integrate components of a complex physiological mechanism from molecular to whole organism levels

(LO4) Critically appraise the evolution of air-breathing, terrestriality and endothermy in vertebrates

(S1) Information literacy online, finding, interpreting, evaluating, managing and sharing information

(S2) Literacy application of literacy, ability to produce clear, structured written work and oral literacy - including listening and questioning

(S3) Problem solving/ critical thinking/ creativity analysing facts and situations and applying creative thinking to develop appropriate solutions.