Genetics with an Industrial Placement Year BSc

Core modules:

Biochemistry 1

This module provides a broad introduction to Biochemistry and examines the molecules that carry out and control all the chemical reactions in biological cells. The basic chemical concepts underlying the structures, functions and mechanisms of action of biomolecules.

20 credits

Molecular & Cell Biology

This module considers the fundamental processes at the heart of all life on this planet. Students will learn about the basic molecular processes that enable cells to store and use genetic information to make proteins, as well as the mechanisms that allow cell growth, division, and ultimately cell death. Learning materials will be delivered through a combination of lectures, videos, practical classes and independent study.

20 credits

Evolution

This course is an introduction to evolution as the central unifying theme of modern biology. Students will examine evolutionary patterns from the geological past to the present, and investigate evolutionary mechanisms of selection, adaptation and the origin of species. They will be introduced to the approaches used to study evolution including classical population and quantitative genetics, phylogenetic trees, and the fossil record. Students will learn through lectures, videos, practical sessions, quizzes, and independent study.

20 credits

Genetics 1

This course is an introduction to the principles of genetics. Students will explore the genetics of pro- and eukaryotes by studying the mechanisms of gene transmission, genetic exchange, mutations and gene mapping. Additional topics are the genetic basis of diseases, prenatal diagnosis, genetic counselling, gene therapy and genetic basis of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Students will learn through lectures and videos and independent study.

10 credits

Skills in Molecular Bioscience

The Skills in Molecular Biosciences module introduces students to the fundamentals of scientific practice: lab practical skills, experimental design, information technology, data visualisation and analysis, writing and presentation skills, skills reflection, professionalism and career development.

30 credits

Optional modules:

Zoology

This course is an introduction to the scientific study of animals. Students will explore the wonders of the animal kingdom through investigations of the physiology, reproduction, development, form and function of a wide diversity of both invertebrates and vertebrates. Students will learn through lectures and videos, practicals and independent study.

20 credits

Climate Change and Sustainability

This course introduces the core scientific issues required to understand climate change and sustainability. Students will learn the causes of climate change, its impacts in natural and agricultural ecosystems, the influence of biogeochemical cycles in these ecosystems on climate, and strategies for sustainably managing ecosystems in future. Learning will be achieved via lectures and videos, practicals and independent study.

20 credits

Animal Behaviour

This unit will provide an introduction to behaviour, focussing on the four fundamental questions: (i) the evolution of behaviour; (ii) the function of behaviour, (iii) the ontogeny of behaviour and (iv) the causation (or mechanisms) of behaviour. The course will introduce the major concepts and information on specific topics, including sexual behaviour, foraging behaviour and social behaviour in humans and non-humans. A central theme will be the extent to which animal behaviour can inform us about human behaviour and in particular the similarities and differences between the evolutionary approach to animal behaviour and evolutionary psychology.

10 credits

Introductory Developmental, Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology

This module aims to provide students with a general introduction to Developmental, Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology. The approach will be concept-based, with an emphasis on the importance of techniques and the interpretation of experimental data. Topics covered include life cycles of the main animal model systems, how cell differences are generated during development, the basic principles of regenerative biology and wound healing as well as stem cell biology. Teaching will take place in a formal lecture environment, supplemented by online tutorials. Assessment will be by formal examination.

10 credits

Fundamental Maths for Bioscientists

Proficiency in basic calculations is essential for all scientists. In this module, designed for first-year students in the School of Biosciences who have not studied maths to A-level or equivalent, we will develop the mathematical skills needed to excel as a biologist. Using video tutorials, worksheets, and in-person workshop sessions, students will have the opportunity to build their skills and confidence and develop strategies to tackle complex calculations. Topics covered include arithmetic; concentrations, dilutions and molarity; logarithms; equations and functions; graphical representation of data and descriptive statistics; and probability. 

10 credits

Plant Science

This course is an introduction to the scientific study of plants and associated organisms. Students will explore plant origin, diversity, form, reproduction and development, photosynthesis, nutrient and water acquisition, as well as interactions with symbiotic and pathogenic microbes. Students will learn through lectures and videos, practicals and independent study.

20 credits

Ecology and Conservation

This module is an introduction to the principles of ecology and conservation. It covers ecological concepts about the factors controlling the abundance and distribution of species, coexistence and biodiversity at multiple geographic scales. It combines this with key ideas from tropical and marine communities about conserving populations, communities and habitats. The module includes lectures, a lab practical, an introduction to mathematical modelling in conservation biology and a field trip to Potteric Carr, a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust reserve where you'll put into practice by collecting data to test some of the ideas you've learned in class.

20 credits

Introduction to Neuroscience

This module aims to provide students with an introduction to neuroscience. It will introduce the fundamental principles of cellular and molecular neuroscience that govern neuronal excitability and neurotransmission. Building on these principles, it will introduce theories relating to how sensory information is processed, and how motor output and aspects of behaviour are controlled by the central nervous system. How the normal functioning of the nervous system is affected by disease and drugs will be examined. It will also provide an opportunity to perform neuroscience experiments and interpret the data. Although focussed on the understanding of human neuroscience, the module will demonstrate how the study of model organisms has contributed to this understanding.

20 credits

Microbiology 1

This course is an introduction to the field of microbiology. Students will explore the diversity of microorganisms including Bacteria, Archaea, unicellular Eukaryotes and viruses. They will examine the diversity of the structure and the function of these microorganisms, emphasising the fundamental role that they play in our everyday lives by using examples in medicine and biotechnology.

20 credits

Introduction to Physiology with Pharmacology

This module aims to provide students with an introduction to human physiology and pharmacology. It will introduce the fundamental physiological principles that govern the functioning of all cells and tissues within the body. The physiology of normal bodily functions will be explained using a systems-based approach which encourages students' to integrate their understanding of events at a molecular and cellular level with the structure and function of tissues and whole organs. It will examine how these normal bodily functions are affected by disease and drugs, with examples of how model organisms can inform this understanding. It will also provide an opportunity to perform and interpret physiological measurements, giving students hands-on experience of the experimental methods that they will be learning about in lectures.

20 credits

Core modules:

Genes, genomes and chromosomes

This module directly builds on material delivered in MBB11003 and aims to provide a clear understanding of how genomes are organised within cells and how the expression of specific genes can be regulated. The topics covered in the module include experimental approaches to address the function of specific genes, mechanisms of regulated gene expression, DNA repair and recombination pathways, chromosome structure, genome sequencing technologies and the analysis of sequence data to study protein/DNA interactions, chromosome interactions and DNa methylation patterns .

20 credits

Genetics 2

This module builds upon the introduction to genetics provided by Genetics 1.  A range of eukaryotic genetic systems will be considered, including humans and a number of model organisms, ranging from yeasts to Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans,

Arabidopsis thaliana and Mus musculus. Topics to be covered include methods for isolating and genetically analysing mutants with specific phenotypes, genetic mapping, extranuclear inheritance, human diseases associated with chromosome abnormalities, ethical  considerations associated with genome editing, developmental genetics and genome integrity. Interactive teaching sessions give students opportunities to apply concepts introduced in the lectures to numerical and ethical problems.

20 credits

Skills in Molecular Biology II

This module develops students' appreciation of and aptitude in the scientific method, practical research skills, experimental design, information technology, data visualisation and analysis, critical evaluation, writing and presentation skills, and how science underpins innovative solutions to societal or commercial challenges. The module builds on skills developed in L1. In the autumn semester students will perform a small research project and have the opportunity to further develop their research skills in the spring semester. Students will develop skills in data visualisation and statistics with additional training and through reports on research projects. Students will develop their academic writing skills by preparing essays and lab reports and develop additional scientific communication, such as oral presentation and poster writing skills. This module develops employability skills via interview training, LinkedIn profile writing (or equivalent), and reflection on career choice and skill development.

30 credits

Optional modules:

Students can also study 30 approved credits from the School of Biosciences.

Biostructures, Energetics and Synthesis

This module aims to refresh students' understanding of the structures and functions of proteins and how free energy is made available (transduced) from reduced organic carbon compounds (catabolism) to generate ATP and NADPH for biosynthetic metabolism (anabolism). We begin by taking another look at key catabolic pathways in the cell including glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and mitochondrial electron transfer; before considering fatty acid β-oxidation and the pentose phosphate pathway.  We then explore how amino acids and nucleotides, the building blocks of life, are synthesised. This leads on to a study of the nature of biological membranes and the main functions of membranes in cells, including the transduction of energy, nerve transmission and signalling. We then focus on the structure and function of membrane proteins, highlighting their key role in transport of proteins, small molecules and ions across biological membranes. Finally, we come full circle highlighting how solar energy entering the biosphere is harvested by chlorophyll pigments and transferred to specialised reaction centres to initiate photosynthetic electron transfer. We show how photosynthesis converts solar energy into ATP and NADPH, utilising the same redox chemistry and chemiosmotic principles that underlie respiration, and then uses these metabolites to power the fixation of CO2 into reduced organic carbon compounds.

20 credits

Microbiology 2

This module introduces key concepts in bacterial physiology, genetics, virulence and therapeutics, building on the microbiology topics covered in earlier modules. Topics to be covered in the first half of the module will include aspects of bacterial growth and gene regulation, microbial biodiversity and cellular differentiation, and biotechnology. The module will then move on in the second half to consider both sides of the bacterium-host interaction and the consequences for human health. Using a selection of important human pathogens as examples, the bacterial strategies and virulence factors that contribute to disease will be introduced. The human immune response and the potential of vaccination to protect against disease will then be examined. The targets, mode of action and potential resistance mechanisms of a range of current and potential antimicrobial agents will then be considered. The module will provide opportunities throughout to develop the ability to analyse and interpret microbiological data.

20 credits

Biochemistry 2

This module provides an advanced treatment of the biochemical topics introduced in earlier modules, to provide a deep understanding of the underlying chemical principles and molecular interactions governing life in cells. The module begins with a review of the chemical transformations and molecular interactions governing enzyme function. We then study a number of enzyme examples to illustrate common themes arising in enzyme specificity, types of reaction mechanisms and the relationship between protein structure and function. This leads on to study practical methods to experimentally measure enzyme activity. We then take a detailed look at the fundamentals of enzyme and ligand binding kinetics underlying unimolecular and bimolecular irreversible and reversible reactions. We then turn our focus to small molecule drug development, showing how the principles learned earlier in the module can be applied to develop protein or enzyme inhibitors for therapeutic use. The final part of the module develops an understanding of the ways in which kinetic parameters can be used to study reaction mechanisms and how inhibitors and mutants can modulate the activity of enzymes. We also study aspects of protein and enzyme function in practical classes. Overall, the module aims to give students the knowledge required to analyse and interpret biochemical data, plan appropriate experimental assays and to make pre

20 credits

Core modules:

Industrial Experience

Contact department for more information.

120 credits

Core modules:

Literature Review

In this module students will consolidate the skills and knowledge they have gained in earlier levels of study.  They will work individually, guided by a member of staff, to identify a key biological question and will address this through a comprehensive literature review.  Students will synthesise information to explore the current state of knowledge, critically evaluate areas of uncertainty and debate, and suggest ways that the field may progress in the future.  They will present their findings in the format of a review paper.

20 credits

Research Project

In this module students will consolidate the skills and knowledge they have gained in earlier levels of study and apply these during a capstone research experience. A range of project types will be available, including laboratory-based, field-based, bioinformatics, computer modelling, education, and science communication. Students will work in groups, guided by a member of staff, to plan a research project, assess health, safety and ethical considerations, undertake the research, and analyse the data. Students will then work individually on interpreting, evaluating and communicating their findings  via a formal report written in the style of a research publication.

30 credits

Genetics Data Handling

The module aims to develop interpretative skills by the study of deductive questions drawn from the broad area of molecular genetics and cell biology. Students will gain experience in the analysis, interpretation and evaluation of published data of different types through a directed programme of reading, discussion and question answering. The module also contains an element that develops the skills required by the students to write on a broad topic drawn from across all their areas of study.

10 credits

Optional modules:

The world of RNA

This module will analyse the vital roles that RNA plays in the life of a cell and how RNA is increasingly used as a tool to understand biology. The module will cover the following 'cutting edge' research topics: RNA interference, CRISPR Genome Editing, non-coding RNAs, together with the latest work on well known RNA based activities. These include transcription, RNA splicing, RNA stability, RNA export and translation and how all these processes are coupled in the cell to ensure efficient, quality-controlled gene expression. The module aims to present the latest innovations and discoveries in the RNA world and their application.

10 credits

Clinical Genomics of Cancer and Rare Genetic Diseases

This module will address the ways in which genetic factors influence our lifetime health. The module will focus on classic examples of leukaemia, lymphoma, solid tumours, rare inherited diseases and those commonly identified in prenatal diagnostic studies using real patient scenarios.  The molecular and cytogenetic technologies and the underlying clinical diagnostic strategies will be discussed to provide students with a thorough understanding of clinical genomic diagnostics across the breadth of human acquired and inherited diseases. This module will be delivered by a combination of academic staff from the university, and clinical geneticists from the NHS.

10 credits

Human genomics, proteomics and genome biology

A top-down approach to biology, simultaneously investigating the structure and function of the entire genome and its products, both contrasts with and complements the traditional gene-by-gene approach, allowing us a birds-eye view. In this module, we cover genome-wide approaches to studying the genetic causes and diagnosis of complex and polygenetic human disease. We then discuss how methods such as RNA-seq, ChIP-seq and 4C can be used to investigate the genome-wide transcriptional profile, the chromatin landscape and the three-dimensional structure of the genome. Finally we describe the use of technologies such as mass spectrometry to investigate the complete proteome of a cell. The module builds on the material from the level 2 module Genes, Genomes and Chromosomes, to illustrate how cutting-edge genomic and proteomic methods can be used to address fundamental biological questions.

10 credits

Genetic pathways from zygote to organism

Multicellular organisms develop from a single zygote and in the case of humans, culminates in a mature human body consisting of over a trillion cells and around 200 different cell types. This module will examine the developmental mechanisms and genes that regulate pattern formation and cell identity in multicellular eukaryotes. We will focus on the role of key genes in the regulation of different developmental processes and the mechanisms that determine the correct temporal and spatial expression of these genes. We will illustrate these principles using examples from model organisms such as Mus Musculus, Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster and Arabidopsis thaliana. These systems have significantly informed our understanding of human disease but also demonstrate the different mechanisms through which cell fate and complexity are controlled.

10 credits

Human Evolutionary Genetics

This module will provide students with an understanding of how genomics has shaped our understanding of the evolution of modern humans. This will be achieved through lectures and independent reading. Topics covered will include: the evolution of modern humans; the history of how humans colonised the world; how the Neanderthal genome has revealed hybridisation between Homo sapiens and Neanderthal man; how human genomes can tell us about the history and causes of modern genetic disorders; how our genomes reveal past episodes of selection; and how life history theory is used to study natural selection and evolution in pre-industrial humans.

10 credits

Plant Biotechnology

This module considers the application of biotechnology to plants, for both agricultural and research uses. It covers the production of transgenic plants and how this technology has resulted in genetically engineered crop plants that show novel traits or produce novel products. It also covers traditional methods of plant breeding for the development of novel crops without the use of genetic engineering. The release of genetically engineered crops has and is having a major impact on society, raising issues of ethical, economic and ecological importance. An appreciation of these issues will be developed.

10 credits

Genome Stability and Genetic Change

The module examines in detail the mechanisms that maintain genome integrity and generate genetic variation, both of which are essential to eukaryotic life. The lectures illustrate how preventing and creating changes in DNA make use of the same biochemical machinery. The main emphasis is on eukaryotes, reference is made to prokaryotes mainly as an aid to understanding the importance of conserved processes. Mechanisms studied in detail include single-strand break repair, protein-linked DNA break repair, homologous and non-homologous recombination, avoidance of replication errors, mismatch repair, excision repair and mutagenesis. Throughout the module experimental detail is included to illustrate how conclusions on gene function and interactions have been determined.

10 credits

Human Reproduction and Fertility

This module will address some of the processes underlying human fertility: that is, hormonal regulation of the reproductive systems, gametogenesis and fertilisation. The module will then consider methods of contraception, reasons for infertility, and issues relating to the assisted reproductive technologies. Finally, the importance of genetic imprinting will be discussed, together with a consideration of the impact of failures in imprinting.

10 credits