6B012B - Biology in the Real World: Data, Diversity and Decisions 01 Sep 2027 - 31 Aug 2033 | Version 0
Associated Module Information
| Module Code: | 6B012B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Module Title: | Biology in the Real World: Data, Diversity and Decisions | ||
| Faculty: | Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science | ||
| Faculty Group: | Applied Science | ||
| Faculty Sub Group: | Biology and Chemistry | ||
| Module Leader: | Anthony Caravaggi | ||
| Module Team: | Josephine Bradley, Sioned Owen, Natalie Lubbock, Natasha Galea | ||
| First Intended Intake: | SEP 2027 | Final Year of Intake: | 2032 |
| Date Closed: | |||
| Credit Value: | 30 | Credit Level: | 6 |
| Language: | English | ||
| Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: | 33 | ||
| Equivalent Module: | |||
| HECOS codes: | 100346 - biology | ||
| HECOS Code Weighting: | 100 | ||
Document Version Information
| Version | 0 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 01 Sep 2027 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2033 |
Module Aims
The main aims of the module are:
Develop the ability to integrate knowledge from biomedical, medical, pharmaceutical, and biological sciences to understand how variability influences health, disease, and treatment outcomes.
Critically evaluate biomedical data and diagnostic approaches, recognising their limitations, biases, and impact on scientific, pharmaceutical, and clinical decision-making.
Explore and reflect on the evolving boundaries of “life” in modern bioscience, applying ethical, conceptual, and scientific perspectives to emerging technologies.
Content Summary
This module challenges you to rethink what it means to study biology and medicine at an advanced level. Drawing on knowledge gained throughout your degree, you will explore three key ideas: that biological systems are inherently variable, that our understanding of patients is mediated through data and diagnostic tools, and that the boundaries of what we define as “life” are increasingly complex. Through interdisciplinary learning, you will examine how differences between individuals influence health and treatment, how biomedical data is generated and interpreted, and how emerging technologies—such as organoids, AI diagnostics, and gene editing—are reshaping modern science.
The module develops critical skills in data interpretation, scientific evaluation, and cross-disciplinary communication, preparing you for careers in biomedical, clinical, and pharmaceutical fields. As a final-year module, it brings together concepts from across your course, encouraging you to question assumptions, integrate knowledge, and engage with the evolving nature of bioscience in research and practice.
Learning and Teaching Methods
| Activity Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Practical Classes and Workshops | 56 |
| Digital Guided Learning | 10.5 |
| Independent Study? | 133.5 |
| Formative Assessment | 40 |
| Summative Assessment | 60 |
| Total Hours Selected | 300 |
Learning Outcomes
| # | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| LO1 | Integrate and evaluate biological variability, biomedical data, and emerging life systems to interpret complex scientific and clinical problems across disciplines. |
| LO2 | Critically assess and communicate the limitations of current methods and concepts in bioscience, forming clear, evidence-based arguments relevant to research and practice. |
Module Requisites
N/A
Assessment Criteria
| Assessment Category | Assessment Type | Description | Duration | Word Count | Weight (%) | Best of? | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asynchronous Assessment | Student Choice | Develops students’ ability to translate complex bioscience into accessible formats, promoting digital fluency including AI integration, and inclusivity and learner autonomy though incorporation of Student Choice in submission format, while encouraging critical evaluation of variability, data, and emerging biological concepts. | 0 | 2000 | 60 | No | 40 |
| Synchronous Onsite Oral Assessment | Group Oral Assessment (Internally assessed, Onsite) | he group presentation addresses active collaborative learning, requiring students to integrate knowledge across disciplines and apply it to a synoptic challenge, supporting higher-level synthesis expected at Level 6. | 8 | N/A | 40 | No | 40 |
Assessment Matrix
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LO1 | LO2 | ||
| Student Choice | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Group Oral Assessment (Internally assessed, Onsite) | ✔ | ✔ | |