QA0S013 - Biological Sciences Fundamentals 01 Sep 2025 - 31 Aug 2031 | Version 0

Associated Module Information

Module Code: QA0S013
Module Title: Biological Sciences Fundamentals
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: FBCI Faculty
Faculty Sub Group: FBCI Faculty
Module Leader: Hannah Jones, Tracey May
Module Team: Rachael Gidney, Laura Harridence
First Intended Intake: SEP 2025 Final Year of Intake: 2030
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 3
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes:
HECOS Code Weighting:

Document Version Information

Version 0
Valid From 01 Sep 2025
Valid To 31 Aug 2031

Module Aims

The module aims to give students the opportunity to explore various methods and necessary skills required for biological scientific thinking, techniques and experimental design in an enquiry-based way.

Content Summary

Students are encouraged to explore correlational and experimental methods, the role of statistics, scientific argumentation and ethical working practices in relation to current biological scientific topics as outlined below and reflected in news reports, recent academic publications and historical case studies.  

Problem-based learning and blended learning approaches will facilitate deep, experiential learning. Indicative content includes: 

  • Basic biochemistry and cell structure. Chemical elements are joined together to form Biological compounds, Cell structure and organisation, Cell membranes and transport, Biological reactions are regulated by enzymes, medical and industrial. 

  • Applications of enzymes, Nucleic acids, Genetic information is copied and passed on to daughter cells. 

  • Biodiversity and Physiology of Body Systems. All organisms are related through their evolutionary history, Adaptations for Gas exchange, Adaptations for Transport, Reproductive strategies, Adaptations for nutrition, Adaptations for parasitism. 

  • Metabolism, Microbiology and Homeostasis. Importance of ATP, Respiration releases chemical energy from organic molecules, Photosynthesis uses light energy to synthesise organic molecules, Microbiology, Factors controlling population size, Control systems co-ordinate and regulate processes, The nervous system. Nutrition and homeostasis, Sensing the environment. 

  • Environment, Genetics and Evolution. The genetic code and cell function, Sexual reproduction in human, Sexual reproduction in plants, Inheritance, Variation and evolution, Applications of reproduction and genetics. 

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Seminars 60
Independent Study 70
Direct Study (including online independent learning) 60
Formative Assessment (scheduled) 5
Formative Assessment - Independent 5
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Understand the origins of biological science, the basics of the scientific method and demonstrate the ability to evaluate sources of evidence and scientific arguments.
LO2 Understand the evolutionary background which has shaped the form and function of biological systems, and how they develop and grow, and understand the requirements and procedures for working safely, common techniques in biological laboratories and field work.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 1 Students submit a piece of coursework contrasting a newspaper article and a scientific paper from on a topic related to their chosen undergraduate degree course. 0 900 30 No 40
Set Exercise - Time Constrained (EX) Classroom Test Time Constrained (EX) 1 Students will undertake two class tests covering the module description and context. 45 N/A 70 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Essay 1 ✔ ✔
Classroom Test Time Constrained (EX) 1 ✔ ✔

Reading List