Biological Sciences FdSC

Biological Sciences FdSC (Sept 10)

This course information relates to courses starting in September 2010.

Course code: Foundation degree (FdSc) C110; Foundation certificate (FCert) C900

Course category: Higher Education

End Qualification: Foundation Degree (FdSc)

Duration: 2 (FdSc); 1 (FCert)

Hours: 9.00-5.00

Course duration: 2 years

Course aims:
The foundation degree is a vocational course that will provide all the necessary knowledge and skills for a career within laboratory based industries, including the NHS and pharmaceutical companies.
The course has been designed to provide students with the knowledge and understanding of scientific methods and theoretical principles of biological sciences, including the application of those principles in an employment context.
We use a wide range of methods to enable students to gain problem solving and critical analysis skills, essential for their development and employability within the sector.
Students from all Biological/Biomedical Sciences courses run a Bioscience Society that organise events and social activities. This is a great opportunity to meet other students and meet new people.

Course content:
1st year core compulsory modules include:

• Scientific Skills Techniques & Statistics
• Cell Biology & Genetics
• Human Physiology
• Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
• Microbiology.

Optional modules include:

• Immunology
• Genetic Engineering
• Independent Study.

2nd year core compulsory modules include:

• Protein Technology,
• Microbial Biotechnology,
• Work Placement,
• Biology Project.

Optional modules include:

• Public Health & Infectious Diseases
• Molecular Genetics
• Biochemistry of Gene Expression
• Plant Physiology
• Independent Study

Facilities for students:
Our students will benefit from facilities consisting of a variety of laboratories, including a category II Microbiology laboratory, with a variety of specialist equipment to aid any experiment you might consider for your project.
ICT provisions are available in the HE students ICT room and all of the provisions in the laboratories are equipped with interactive e-learning packages.

Tutors:
The foundation degree is staffed by experienced and enthusiastic tutors who have excellent links with science providers and organisations within the area. This will enable students to have every opportunity of finding work placements in the 2nd year and employment in the sector after graduation.

Assessment: A wide range of assessment strategies are used in order to support all students. These include end of year examinations (usually 50% of end mark for modules that have examinations) and coursework that include the following: essays; practical reports; presentations; short answer questions; research based report; reflective analysis; log book.

Entry Requirements:
You will need GCSE grades A*-C in English Language, Mathematics and Science; 120 UCAS points, if A-Levels these must include a grade E in Biology/Human Biology. BTEC and Access courses in Science are also considered.
IELTS grade 6.0 overall is essential for international students.

Pre-entry preparation:
Please bring to interview examples of projects or coursework completed.

Progression and links:
Achievement of a Merit (60%) at end of 2nd year allows progression onto 3rd year Biological Sciences BSc or onto 2nd year of Biomedical Sciences BSC at the University of Brighton.
There are many possible careers that this course can lead to. The vocational emphasis of the course provides the opportunity to enter laboratories in a variety of industries, including pharmaceutical companies, research, public health laboratories and hospital laboratories.
The scientific and transferable skills gained provide the opportunity for students to enter a wider range of work establishments, where science may be an aspect of their career or the discipline behind it may be important. For example, scientific writing, or working for government agencies such as DEFRA or the environmental agency.

This course is worth 240 CATS points.

Work experience opportunities:
Students complete 120 hours of work experience within local industries in the 2nd year of the foundation degree. The work placements must be relevant to the degree to enable students to build upon existing skills and techniques and/or to enable the development of new skills and techniques.