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

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

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.

The aims of this module are:
1. To teach students how to code in python for basic tasks, such as manipulating numerical data or text
2. To enable students to write their own python code for analysing bioinformatics data, using data science techniques

(LO1) Write Python for basic scripting

(LO2) Critically analyse data structures in python and apply them to biological data

(LO3) Master Python for manipulating files and controlling the running of external programs

(LO4) Design and write Python code for performing simple bioinformatics tasks

(LO5) Design and build simple relational databases

(LO6) Appraise basic concepts in supervised machine learning and use Python for such analyses

(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

To enhance the core skills acquired , including both scientific (presentational and communication) and employability skills, and to provide advice on careers and career development in imaging technologies for cell analysis on the microscopic level as well as for cell imaging and functional analysis in animal models.

To enable students to evaluate the latest scientific literature and technologies in imaging technologies for cell analysis on the microscopic level as well as for cell imaging and functional analysis in animal models of disease and topical issues of particular concern to biotechnologist.

To enhance problem solving skills by data analysis exercises in relation to experimental methods in imaging and cell biotechnology, and develop a deeper understanding of topical issues in the subject.

(LO1) Compare various mammalian cell culture and cell analysis techniques.

(LO2) Critically review the molecular details of various technologies for the genetic manipulation of mammalian cells .

(LO3) Critically evaluate a broad range of imaging techniques and modalities to analyse cellular features and cell behaviour at different scales, from microscopic analysis to imaging in animal models of disease.

(LO4) Appraise the translational impact of cellular biotechnology approaches and justify their application in medical research.

(S1) Scientific Communication

(S2) Scientific Technical Ability

(S3) Digital Fluency

(S4) Critical Thinking

To develop core skills in critically evaluating issues associated with emerging infectious disease and pandemics using written reports generated from appraising student-led discussion workshops and verbal communication, which are transferable and key for employability.

To enhance ability to appraise the host contribution and response to interventions together with factors that can be exploited for the development of both diagnostic and control strategies

(LO1) To critically evaluate the history of both emerging animal and human diseases with major societal impact and interrogate the inter-species associations of infectious diseases

(LO2) Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the origins and causalities of emerging pandemics with the underlying biology

(LO3) To recognise and discuss the direct health consequences and societal impacts of a pandemic as well as the indirect effectors compromising the livestock and the foodchain as a whole.

(LO4) Demonstrate a systematic understanding of individual pathogens causing emerging pandemics with their specific characteristics defining their gravity of the disease.

(LO5) Critically evaluate the precautionary measures needed to curtail or to minimise the damaging effects from emergence of a new pandemic.

(S1) Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, and communicate their conclusions clearly to audiences

(S2) Develop transferable skills; exercising initiative; independent-learning ability; digital fluency

The aim of this module is to provide students with an appreciation of the variety of approaches used in conservation, including restoration.
Specifically the module aims to provide students with:
An understanding of changes in paradigms underlying ecology and conservation;
An understanding of the strategies used in conservation management, from global to local;
An insight into the science of restoration ecology;
Development of specific skills including essay writing, presentations, critical evaluation;
Help students to gain both team-building skills but the ability to plan and execute work independently.

(LO1) Understand and summarize how ecological and conservation paradigms have changed over time

(LO2) Demonstrate knowledge of strategies and approaches used in conservation management

(LO3) Critique and analyse published materials and synthesize into appropriate argument

(LO4) Design, orally communicate and critique approaches to conservation management.

(S1) Teamwork

(S2) Organisational skills

(S3) Communication, listening and questioning respecting others, contributing to discussions, influencing, presentations

(S4) Literacy application of literacy, ability to produce clear, structured written work and oral literacy - including listening and questioning

(S5) Problem solving skills

To outline the modes of operation, timescales of variation and drivers of the global climate system;
To introduce major research themes in the global climate system;     To introduce the techniques and approaches for the analysis of ocean, atmopshere and paleoclimate data sets; 
To learn to discuss and present key findings from data analysis of large data sets.

(LO1) Knowledge of how the Earth’s atmospheric and oceanic system operates, including the various spatial and temporal scales of the processes

(LO2) The external and internals drivers of climate change

(LO3) Basic techniques and research themes in ocean, atmospheric and paleoclimate research

(LO4) Knowledge of the methods of data collection and production in ocean and atmospheric science.

(LO5) Knowledge of the techniques of reconstruction of past climatic conditions

(S1) Assessing the merits of contrasting theories and explanations

(S2) Numeracy and statistical literacy

(S3) Ability to work responsibly, autonomously and with others

(S4) The handling of large datasets

This module aims to allow students to: develop the knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of cancer biology and the current challenges in both diagnosis and treatment of cancer; gain an understanding of different treatment modalities used against cancer including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapies and immunotherapy along with their advantages and disadvantages; understand the mechanisms of cancer resistance to treatment; understand the role of cancer biomarkers in patient stratification for optimal treatment strategies as well as the challenges in diagnosis of cancer and critically appraise scientific literature and seminars in the cancer field and to analyse and interpret tumour tissue samples.

(LO1) To assess and critique the current topics of research in cancer

(LO2) To identify unmet screening, diagnostic and therapeutic needs in cancer.

(LO3) To analyse and interpret research areas focussing on the fundamental mechanisms of cancer growth and resistance to therapies

(LO4) To appraise state of the art technologies used in cancer research and interpret results

(S1) Problem solving

(S2) Presentation of scientific data

(S3) Critical assessment of scientific data

This module is designed to provide the students insights into how cancer clinical trials are designed and what strategies are to be considered whilst designing and executing a clinical trial. In order to achieve this, the students will be introduced to key concepts in this field, followed by lectures on how translational research is linked to clinical trials, with respect to study design, as well as regulatory requirements. The assessments in this module will enable students to critically appraise published clinical trials and systematic reviews. The module will have several case-based learning tutorials and workshops, all of which will enable the students to independently design a clinical trial to address a clinically important question.

(LO1) Assess the different cancer clinical trial strategies and designs

(LO2) Justify appropriate courses of action to ensure good practice is set out and adhered to in given cancer clinical trial situations

(LO3) Analyse and interpret cancer clinical trial data

(LO4) Critique and appraise published cancer clinical trials and systematic reviews

(S1) Scientific communication

(S2) Develop critical thinking

(S3) Digital fluency

To develop principal skills in presenting immunological interactions and responses using graphics, posters and verbal communication that are transferable and key for employability.

To aid critical evaluation of current topics, problems and developments in immunological research through advanced scholarship

To evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of approaches used for interrogating the host immune response and integrating functions and evasion mechanisms of pathogens

(LO1) To evaluate critically  the current concepts of host immunity and defence against viral, bacterial and parasite infections

(LO2) Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of innate and adaptive immune responses and their interactions

(LO3) Critically evaluate methodologies for the study of key effector immune cells in host immune tissues, their migration and functions

(LO4) Demonstrate a systematic understanding of immune function knowledge, and a critical awareness of the mucosal immune system relevant to the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts and selected exemplar pathogens

(LO5) Demonstrate critical awareness of current problems from immunological threats posed by infectious diseases and the potential of vaccines

(S1) Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, and communicate their conclusions clearly to audiences

(S2) Develop transferable skills; exercising initiative; independent-learning ability; digital fluency

To develop core skills in critically evaluating design and implementation of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines using written reports generated from appraising student-led discussion workshops and verbal communication, which are transferable and key for employability.

To enhance critical evaluation of the considerations for product development through advanced scholarship of issues, including: industrial partnering, regulatory affairs, testing, governmental support and societal influences

To enable appraisal of established techniques of research and enquiry to determine host contribution and response to interventions for the development of both diagnostic and control strategies

(LO1) To critically evaluate the strategies needed to design and develop novel drugs and vaccines for infectious disease

(LO2) Demonstrate critical awareness of successes and current problems from infectious diseases, the genesis and implementation of diagnostics and strategies for limiting infection

(LO3) Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the various agencies that input into local, national and global development of disease interventions

(S1) Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, and communicate their conclusions clearly to audiences

(S2) Develop transferable skills; exercising initiative; independent-learning ability; digital fluency

The aims of this module are:
1. To support students develop a comprehensive understanding of complex computational approaches
2. Enable students to identify the correct computational approach to address a wide range of biological questions.

(LO1) Justify the integration of different tools and approaches for the description and analysis of complex data

(LO2) Assess the basis for quantitative and computational techniques

(LO3) Become proficient using computational analysis approaches to model the interaction of cellular molecular components in a wide range of biological systems

(LO4) Assess the application of complex computational approaches for the discovery, development and optimisation of therapies

(S1) Written communication

(S2) Think critically

(S3) Problem solving

(S4) Biological Interpretation

(S5) IT skills

To illustrate the value of proteomics and metabolomics towards unbiased, quantitative and high-throughput analysis of biological systems. To offer demonstrations in the design and synthesis of proteomic and metabolomics experiments, including practical demonstrations within the metabolomics and proteomics facilities.

(LO1) Appraise proteomic and metabolome techniques.

(LO2) Evaluate analytical methods and design proteomics or metabolomics experiments to address a given biological problem.

(LO3) Critically appraise data analysis tools and strategies and interpret the experimental data in the biological context

(S1) Problem Solving Skills

(S2) Communication Skills – Professional Report Writing

(S3) Coding and Statistical Analysis

The module aims to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of the grand challenges in biotechnological applications and the primary design principles of synthetic biology. The module also aims to teach tools and strategies being developed and applied in the rapidly expanding field of synthetic biology and train students in practical
experience by demonstrating the University’s research facilities and providing research and industry-based projects encompassing green biotechnology.

(LO1) Critically appraise concept and research evidence relating to current grand challenges and industrial needs, and how biotechnological methods are developed and exploited to address the problems

(LO2) Critically evaluate key theoretical and practical knowledge in a diverse range of synthetic biology and biotechnology techniques and applications

(LO3) Design and evaluate appropriate approaches and processes for synthetic biology and biotechnology techniques

(LO4) Evaluate the public concerns and ethical issues in the fields of synthetic biology and biotechnology

(S1) Scientific communication

(S2) Analyse, synthesize, evaluate and interpret information from a variety of sources in a critical manner

(S3) Critical thinking

(S4) Team work

1. To introduce students to the concepts of sustainable food systems; 2.  To develop in students an appreciation of the interdisciplinary approaches required to design future food systems; 3. To develop in students a state-of-the art scientific understanding of disciplines underpinning sustainable food systems.

(LO1) Explain why it is essential to employ an interdisciplinary approach to the study of sustainable food systems and what it entails.

(LO2) Critically review the latest scientific approaches in the various fields associated with sustainable food systems.

(LO3) Apply the underlying technological and methodological principles of sustainable food systems to food system analysis.

(LO4) Synthesise information from differing sources and critically review evidence to support conclusions.

(LO5) Design novel approaches and solutions to address the challenges of future food security

(S1) Teamwork

(S2) Communication skills

(S3) Organisational skills

(S4) Lifelong learning skills

(S5) Problem solving/ critical thinking/ creativity analysing facts and situations and applying creative thinking to develop appropriate solutions.

(S6) Global perspectives demonstrate international perspectives as professionals/citizens; locate, discuss, analyse, evaluate information from international sources; consider issues from a variety of cultural perspectives, consider ethical and social responsibility issues in international settings; value diversity of language and culture