UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE

SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND

BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Bioscience in Practice
BL1013

MODULE BOOKLET
2019/20
Module Tutor: Dr Victorio Bambini-Junior
Room Number: MB241
Email Address: vbambini-junior@uclan.ac.uk

INTRODUCTION

This booklet contains a summary of the Level 4 module Bioscience in Practice

for the 2019-2020 academic year. A provisional timetable of lectures and assessment
details are also included. It is hoped that the information will help you to understand
how this module is organised and hence improve your enjoyment of and engagement
with the module. It is to your advantage to familiarise yourself with the information
found herein.
The module will be delivered through a series of lectures, practicals and
workshops that will provide you with information about the various fields and career
routes available in the biosciences, including routes into NHS biomedical science, the
pharmaceutical industry and research.
The teaching will consist of an introductory lecture in each field, followed in the
case of main disciplines by a hands-on practical or workshop to gain an experience
of these fields. Guest lecturers from the different career routes (NHS, industry and
research) will be invited to give talks on their chosen fields. It is anticipated that the
information contained in this module will provide you with a broad understanding of
the bioscience fields and how they work together, give you information about the
variety of careers available to you and help you decide which degree route is best for
you to follow.
This module is assessed by two pieces of coursework, and your final module
mark is calculated as an aggregate of the two components. If you have difficulties
with any of the subject information or assessments, please talk to the module tutor.

Please do check your University Email regularly, as updates

regarding this module (e.g. timetable changes, assessment information
etc.) will be communicated in this way.

STAFF

Room Ext Number Email Address

Dr Andrew Shaw MB 138 6485 AShaw12@uclan.ac.uk
Dr Asa Auta MB 026 5849 AAUTA@uclan.ac.uk
Dr Chris Smith MB 139 5845 CGSSmith@uclan.ac.uk
Dr Clare Lawrence MB 064 5809 cllawrence@uclan.ac.uk
Mr David Griffiths MB 107a 5830 DMGriffiths2@uclan.ac.uk
Dr David Wareing MB032 5822 DWareing3@uclan.ac.uk
Dr Donna Daly MB 024 6480 DDaly3@uclan.ac.uk
Dr Enoche Oga MB 024 5842 EOga@uclan.ac.uk
Dr Izabela Stasik MB 107a 6484 istasik@uclan.ac.uk

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Dr Joseph Hayes MB 059 4334 JHayes@uclan.ac.uk
Dr Lorenzo More MB 139 5847 lmore@uclan.ac.uk
Dr Pete Abel MB 107a 5828 pabel@uclan.ac.uk
Prof Robert Forbes MB 005 3513 RTForbes@uclan.ac.uk
Dr Sarah Wilson MB 066 5821 SEWilson@uclan.ac.uk
Dr Steve Beeton MB 032 3592 SBeeton@uclan.ac.uk
Dr Vicky Jones MB 139 5833 vcjones@uclan.ac.uk
Dr Victorio Bambini Jr MB 241 6483 vbambini-junior@uclan.ac.uk

Staff can be contacted in several ways. The most convenient is by email.

Alternatively, staff can be contacted by Starfish or at the end of their teaching
session.
Please note, when contacting a lecturer regarding a module remember to
include the module code in your email.

MODULE DETAILS

Aims
The general aim of this module is to build your understanding of the wide range
of applications of bioscience and introduce you to the professional roles associated
with bioscience.
The module will also provide you with information about employability within
bioscience in the fields of haematology, clinical biochemistry, clinical microbiology,
cellular pathology, physiology, pharmacology, genetics and the wider healthcare
environment.
This module will integrate with the other year one modules. You will
contextualise the lab skills developed in ‘Fundamentals of Biosciences’ by applying
these to a career-centred laboratory scenario (e.g. performing tissue staining as a
cellular pathologist would or running molecular biology-based experiments to
diagnose a disease). The data analysis skills and written communication you will
have developed in ‘Essential Skills in Biosciences’ will be utilised in the lab report
assessment.

SYLLABUS AND CONTENT

Overview of different disciplines – There will be lectures and practicals to

support each discipline drawn from haematology, clinical biochemistry, clinical
microbiology, cellular pathology, physiology, pharmacology and genetics. These
sessions will incorporate the core concepts of each discipline focusing on their role in
the workplace and research.
Wider applications of bioscience – Factors which govern the application of
bioscience theory and techniques in modern healthcare, pharma and research will be
discussed. This will include quality management and quality assurance; selection of

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methodology and instrumentation; the effects of interfering factors on results and the
importance of controls; the use of screening programs; medical physics, imaging and
ultrasound; and the roles of allied professions. The module will also cover the social
and economic factors of human health and disease, and societal perceptions of
health and disease.
Career Structure – Career options for all of the disciplines will be introduced,
with main routes being supported by talks from visiting lecturers from different
strands of the bioscience industry (NHS pathology, industry and research). Routes to
these careers, including requirements for registration with professional bodies and
options for post-graduate study, will also be discussed.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

Strategy
The course will be delivered through a series of lectures throughout Semester 1
and Semester 2 (two hours per week).
Selected lecture sessions will be followed by linked practical sessions or
workshops.
Sessions are also scheduled to give a briefing on the essay/assessment and
provide specific feedback on the lab report.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Successful completion of the module will enable you to:

1. Describe the scope and core practice of key bioscience disciplines

2. Demonstrate and explain, safe, precise and accurate technical laboratory skills.
3. Develop analytical and problem solving skills.
4. Demonstrate clear written communication.
Explain how a multi-disciplinary approach can be used in the investigation and
5.
treatment of human conditions.

ASSESSMENT STRATEGY

Summary:

Coursework 100%
Minimum pass: 40% on aggregate

This module is assessed by two pieces of coursework, being one assay and
one lab report. The final mark for the module is an average of the coursework and
examination elements.

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The two components are as follows:
Form of % Wordcount (indicative Category of Learning Outcomes
Assessment weighting only) assessment being assessed

Essay 50% 1500 words Coursework 1, 4 and 5

Lab report 50% 1500 words Coursework 2, 3 and 4

These assessments will test the knowledge and understanding of both

theoretical and applied parts of the syllabus and will give you the opportunity to
demonstrate your understanding and develop your written communication and data
analysis skills.
The following assessments are required for this module; the numbers in
parenthesis indicate the % marks allocated:

Coursework. Lab Report (50%) – 1500 words

You will be assigned, randomly*, a particular laboratory practical session to

write up as a lab report. You will need to include the following sections:
 Introduction – to include background to the experiment;
 Aims of the experiment – to specify what the experiment was designed to
test;
 Methodology – how you carried out the experiment, what materials you used;
 Results – what you found, presented in an appropriate way and described
fully with a results commentary;
 Discussion – highlighting the main findings of your experiment, discussing
them in the context of your knowledge, describing any limitations to the
approach you took.

Further details and a marks breakdown will be provided closer to the time.
Employability skills developed: Analytical skills, Subject-specific skills, Written
communication, Scientific writing style.

* If you have not attended the practical assigned to you, you will then
fail the assessment and will have a resit opportunity. If you have not
attended the practical assigned to be the resit, you will receive the mark
0 (zero) for this component. In case you had a legitimate reason to do
not attend the assigned practical, the you should apply for extenuating
circumstances and, if approved, another practical will then be assigned
to you.

Coursework. Essay (50%) – 1500 words

The topic of the essay is ‘the interdisciplinary nature of bioscience’. You will be
asked to write an essay outlining how bioscientists from various disciplines work
together to achieve a common goal. For example, you may write about how the

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cause of a disease is discovered, how a new drug is designed and tested, or how a
patient is diagnosed with a disease.
You must include details of the roles of at least three bioscience professionals.
Further details of the assignment and a marks breakdown will be provided closer to
the time and discussed in a session.
Employability skills developed: Research skills, Written communication,
Subject-specific knowledge

Assessment timetable
Assessment Weighting % Deadline
1. Lab report 50% Mid semester 2
2. Essay 50% End semester 2

PROCEDURE FOR HANDING IN WORK

Both pieces of work will be submitted via Turnitin on the module’s Blackboard space.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I know I’ll miss the deadline with good reason?
Answer: Extension Request
If you have a good reason that you cannot submit a piece of
coursework on time, you may apply for an extension. You must
complete your extension request BEFORE the deadline, by filling in an
extension request form at the Hub. This request will be reviewed by the
Head of School and approved at his discretion. The Dean is the ONLY
person who can give an extension and the request must be backed up
by documentary evidence. Do not fill in an extenuating circumstances
form for an extension request.

What happens if unforeseeable circumstances affect my work?

Answer: Extenuating Circumstances
If you are unable to attempt one of the pieces of coursework at all due
to unforeseeable circumstances out of your control (or feel your
performance during assessment may have been affected by such
circumstances), you must complete an extenuating circumstances form
(available through MyUCLan) and submit the relevant evidence (e.g.
doctor’s note) within seven days of the missed deadline. These have to
be exceptional and serious reasons e.g. illnesses, accidents or
serious family problems and supported with evidence. The extenuating
circumstances will be reviewed and if the evidence is accepted you will
be offered a sit at the test again for maximum marks.

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND LEARNING SUPPORT MATERIALS

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  Anderson, R. (latest edition) Career Opportunities in Clinical Drug Research,
Cold Spring Harbour Press
 Freedman, T. (latest edition) Career Opportunities in Biotechnology and Drug
Development, Cold Spring Harbour Press
 Glencross, H. Nessar, A. Wang, Q (latest edition) Biomedical Science
Practice, Oxford University Press.
 Hall, A. Yates, C. (latest edition) Immunology, Oxford University Press.
 Knight, R. (latest edition) Transfusion and Transplantation Science, Oxford
University Press.
 Moore, G. Knight, G. Blann, A (latest edition) Haematology, Oxford University
Press.
 Orchard, G. Nation, B. (latest edition) Histopathology, Oxford University Press.
 Shambayati, B. (latest edition) Cytopathology, Oxford University Press.
 Suravajhala, N. (latest edition) Your Passport to a Career in Bioinformatics,
Springer
 Webb P, Bain C and Page A. Essential epidemiology: an introduction for
students and health professionals. (Latest edition). Cambridge University
Press, Cambridge.

Students will be directed to educational and professional

materials from the IBMS, HCPC, Royal Society of Biology and
British Pharmacological Society.

In addition, a variety of learning materials relating to this module will be

signposted in lectures and some made available via the University’s Blackboard
facility. The e-resources site within the UCLan library online is a good starting point
with links to online textbooks and image banks. Other websites however may not be
as reliable, so we would recommend caution before accepting anything on the
internet as correct.

Directed Reading

Note that you are expected to spend a minimum of 154 hours on

independent learning, including directed reading; for that, you can refer to the
suggested bibliography. In case any specific associated directed reading or specific
notes are required to make, those will be given to you prior to each session.

INDICATIVE MODULE TIMETABLE

Please note, the timetable below should be used as a guide only. Dates, times
and locations can be found on your online timetable. Please consult your online
timetable regularly for up-to-date information.

Week Lecture Lecture Practical/Workshop

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3 Introduction to the module Haematology
4 Haematology
5 Cell path Clinical Biochemistry
6 Cell path
7 Reflection week
8 Clinical Biochemistry
9 Clinical Microbiology BMS careers/Professional
Registration
10 Clinical Microbiology
11 Pharmacology Genetics
12 Pharmacology
13 Physiology Biosciences in Industry
14 Physiology
15-17 Christmas Vacation
18 Molecular Biology Quality in NHS pathology Molecular Biology
19 Central Examinations
20 Cell Biology Clinical trials in the NHS
21 Socioeconomic of
disease
22 Epidemiology Nuclear medicine/ Essay
setting
23 Health screening
24 Reflection week
25 Drug design and From the bench to the bedside Lab report hand in
development
26 Genetics, careers and
ethics
27 Research Careers Post-graduation
28 Bioinformatics
29 Public communication Feedback session
30 Science in the media
31 Bioscience in industry What is new in Neuroscience Essay hand in
32-34 Easter Vacation/Reflection weeks
35-37 Central Examinations

GENERAL GUIDANCE AND FURTHER INFORMATION

Late submission of coursework:

Work submitted after the deadline (even if it is only a few minutes late) without
an authorised extension will obtain a maximum mark of 40% if submitted within 5
working days. Work submitted later than 5 working days after the published
submission date will be awarded a mark of 0%.

PLAGIARISM AND COLLUSION

All material submitted for assessment must be your own work, and you are
therefore required to sign a declaration on the Coursework Submission Sheet prior to
submission.

What is plagiarism?

“We know that plagiarism is the improper use of another person’s writing,
images or ideas. It can be as subtle as the inadvertent omission of quotes or proper
references (unintentional) when citing a source, or as blatant as copying an entire
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paper and claiming it as original work (intentional). The more subtle examples may
simply be a case of poor academic practice on part of the student rather than the
deliberate intention to cheat. Since academic practice varies across disciplines, this
emphasises the need for careful discussion and education within the framework of
individual courses. The consequences for students caught cheating in the more
blatant ways can be severe and should be made clear to them” (UCLAN Learning
Development Unit 2007).

What is collusion?

“Collusion is an example of unfair means because, like plagiarism, it is an

attempt to deceive the examiners by disguising the true authorship of an assignment,
or part of an assignment. The most common version is that a student (A) copies, or
imitates in close detail, another students (B) work with (B)’s consent. It also includes
cases in which two or more students divide the elements of an assignment among
themselves, and copy, or imitate in close detail, one another’s answer” (UCLAN
Student Regulations, 2007).

How can I avoid collusion and plagiarism?

As part of your studies we will be using workshops to teach you what

plagiarism, collusion and cheating entails. To further aid you we will be teaching you
how to use references and how to cite these in the text. You will also be given the
opportunity to use a piece of software that is called Turnitin UK. Turnitin is electronic
plagiarism detection software that checks submitted documents against a database
of billions of pages of both current and archived material. It then returns submitted
papers in the form of a customised Originality Report after an extensive search of
content from internet sources, books, newspapers and journals from both academic
and professional sources.

Turnitin will be available for your modules on elearn. You will be asked to
submit your assessment online. If you are asked to submit your work and you fail to
do so you will be given zero for that piece of work. For first year modules you are
allowed to submit the piece of work several times – this allows you to understand
where there are any problems with your work and it allows you to change your
assessment. From year 2 you will be allowed only one submission.

What if I am accused of collusion and/or plagiarism?

(a) If a member of staff suspects an act(s) of cheating, plagiarism or collusion

this should be reported to the Head of School for investigation.

(b) If the case warrants further investigation you will be informed in writing of the
alleged offence and will be invited to a hearing at a pre-arranged date and time.

(c) The hearing will be chaired by the Head of School and will include the
member of staff that has marked the work. At the hearing you will be given the
opportunity to put your case. You may be accompanied by a friend who may, for
example, be a member of the Students Union Advice Service or a Student
Counsellor.

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 (d) If the allegation is found to be proven the Head of School, acting on behalf of
the Assessment Board, will implement the appropriate academic penalty in the
module and report it to the Assessment Board.

Further information is provided in the section G7 in the Academic Regulations:

https://www.uclan.ac.uk/study_here/assets/academic_regulations_1718.pdf

Within the regulations the following academic penalties are possible:

Single Offence

In the event of a single offence of cheating, plagiarism or collusion in an

undergraduate or postgraduate assessment, the appropriate penalty should be 0%
for that element of assessment which must be re-submitted to the required standard.
Irrespective of the number of elements of assessment required by the module, the
overall maximum mark for the module will be restricted to 40%.

Repeat Offence

In the event of a repeat offence of cheating, plagiarism or collusion (irrespective

of whether the repeat offence involves the same form of unfair means) on the same
or any other module within the course, the appropriate penalty should be 0% for the
module with no opportunity for re-assessment. This penalty does not preclude the
student being permitted to retake the module in a subsequent year.

Not proven
If the case is not proven then the original mark will stand.

Offence on a failed module

Where cheating, plagiarism or collusion are detected for the first time on a
reassessment for an already failed module, no further reassessment for the module
will be permitted, and the appropriate fail grade will be awarded.

Right to Appeal

If you wish to appeal against the decision of the Associate Head of School, this
will be heard under Stage 2 of the Academic appeals process. Appeals must be
made in writing to the Director of Student and Academic Support Service (or
nominee) within 14 days of the hearing.

An appeal will only be valid if it is based on grounds (c) or (d) given in appendix
9 of the Academic Appeals Process.
University of Central Lancashire - J: Academic Appeals

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT / PROFESSIONALISM

You will be expected to abide by the Regulations for the Conduct of Students in
the University. UCLan expects you to behave in a respectful manner demonstrated

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by using appropriate language in class, and switching mobile phones / other devices
off prior to attending classes.

If your behaviour is considered to be unacceptable, any member of staff is able

to issue an informal oral warning and the University will support staff by invoking
formal procedures where necessary. You can read more about UCLan expectations
in the regulations for the Conduct of Students.

The University regulations are quite clear as to the types of student behaviour
that warrants punitive action, for example:

‘obstruction of, or improper interference with the functions, duties or

activities of any student, member of staff or other employee of the University
or any authorised visitor to the University’
In other words poor conduct within a lecture, tutorial, practical class, bullying
and anti-social activities.

The School of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences has developed a general

code of conduct for all our students. They are not meant to be overbearing and
will hopefully provide a framework that ensures a very good experience for
everyone.

Attendance at Classes

All classes should start on time

There is a 15 minutes tolerance for non-lab classes starting 9:00 am.

There is a 5 minutes tolerance for non-lab classes starting 9:30 am or after.
There is NO TOLERANCE for lab based classes (practicals), due to health and
safety issues.

Talking: In situations e.g. lectures, where it is inappropriate for students to be

talking, it is expected that you will remain silent. Should you talk and be causing a
disruption to the class, you will be warned ONCE, if you persist in talking you will be
asked to leave (you will then be noted as only part attendance in that class). Any
students who are disruptive to the class will have a note placed on their student
record to this effect (this may therefore influence any reference provided for that
student). You will also be required to discuss your behaviour with the Head of
School.
Attendance monitoring: The scheme is extremely important and must be used
in a professional manner. You should always carry you UCLan card and presence
will be monitored by scanning them on the beginning of the session. It is not
acceptable to enter the details of another student who has not attended as being
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present. Any situations where this has happened will require both the student who
has entered another’s details, and the student whose name was incorrectly marked
as present, will be escalated as per the school policies. Any such instances will be
placed on the records of the students involved (this may, influence any reference
provided for you where a request is made for details on your honesty or integrity).
Mobile Phones: You must ensure that your mobile phone is turned off prior to
the start of the class. Should your mobile phone go off in the class, you will be asked
to switch it off. Should you be found playing/texting with your mobile phone during
the class your phone will be confiscated and you will be asked to leave the class,
(you will then be noted as only part attendance in that class) and a note will be
placed on your student record (this may, therefore, influence any reference provided
for you).
Smoking: The University considers e-cigarettes in exactly the same way as it
does any tobacco product and therefore does not permit the use of e-cigarettes
throughout its premises. If you are reported to be using e-cigarettes in a class then
you will be contacted by central admin services booking an appointment for you with
an appropriate member of staff to discuss the matter with you.
Appointment with staff:
Staff will either:
Make time available for student appointments through Starfish;
Alternatively, staff may indicate that you should send an email requesting
an appointment. The staff member will then email you back with a time
that they will be available to see you. Normally this will be within 2
working days.

When wishing to speak with a member of staff within their office, you should
knock on the office door and wait until you are asked to enter. It will often be the
case that unless you have made a prior appointment, staff will not be able to see you
immediately.

Please note:
If any student(s) is deemed to be causing disruption in a class, then:

 Lecturers will seek to manage disruption in the first instance by

providing a verbal warning followed by exclusion from the class if disruptive
behaviour continues.

 If a student(s) has been asked to leave a class and/or is persistently

disruptive, eg refuses to adhere to a lecturers request, either in the same class
or a following class(es) the lecturer will inform Campus Admin Services.

 The designated member of staff within the School will discuss the issue
with the relevant teaching staff.

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  The same designated member of staff within the School will then, in the
presence of a member of administrative staff, discuss the issue with the
student(s) and if deemed appropriate will issue a written warning as to their
future conduct. This will remain on the students file for 12 months. A record will
be kept in the School files.

 In the event of further misconduct, the student will be referred to the

University with a view to excluding a student from classes, pending a formal
disciplinary hearing in line with the Regulations for the Conduct of Students.

SPECIFIC GUIDANCE FOR THIS MODULE

Lecture and Tutorial Programme

The lecture programme is organised to enable you to link different concepts and
develop the material yourself. The lectures will provide the foundation information, it
is the responsibility of each student to expand their knowledge of the subject through
their own research. Consequently, it is vital that you read and make appropriate
notes from the directed reading. This material will be assumed to have been covered
and you will be expected to use it in your understanding of the lecture material and
also of course in any examinations where detailed coverage of such matter may be
required.

As you will gather from the above the directed reading and the lecture should,
therefore be considered to be a package. Consequently the learning objectives of
the lecture will not be met merely by knowing the content of the lecture itself; the
directed reading is an integral part of the process.

Marking Criteria for Year 1

Year 1 First Upper second Lower second Third Fail

Knowledge Makes excellent Very Good use Good use of Adequate use Lack of basic
use of taught of taught taught of taught knowledge
material. material. material. material. No necessary for
Some additional understanding
Good range of additional Limited use of material used. of the topic.
additional material used. additional
material used. material.
The majority of
Accurate factual the factual
content of all content is
material accurate.
presented.
Comprehension Clear Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates Does not
understanding of a very good a good an adequate appear to

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 subject. Good understanding understanding understanding understand
development of of the of the subject. of the subject. the subject.
own ideas. subject. Some
development
of own ideas.
Application Successful Can Can Can Unable to
application of successfully successfully successfully apply theory to
theory to practice apply theory to apply theory to apply theory to practice.
in all relevant practice in the practice in practice in
areas. majority of most of some of the
relevant areas. relevant areas. relevant areas.
Competent in all Does not
practical work. Competent in Competent in Competent in demonstrate
the majority of most practical some areas of competence in
practical work. work. practical work. practical work.
Analysis Excellent Very Good Good analysis Adequate No analysis of
analysis of analysis of of evidence or analysis of evidence or
evidence or evidence or results with evidence or results and no
results with clear results with some logical results. independently
independently some, conclusions derived
derived independently conclusions
conclusions derived
conclusions
Evaluation Demonstrates a Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates No evidence
very good level a good level of some level of a poor/limited of
of independent both independent level of independent
thinking and independent thinking. independent thinking or
excellent thinking and thinking and evaluation.
evaluative skills. evaluation. Limited evaluation.
evaluation.
Presentation Excellent Very Good. Good. Acceptable. Poor
presentation.
(in written Competently Well written Correct Adequate level Very poor
communication) written, very well overall. One or structure and of presentation spelling and
presented and two spelling presentation but with a sentence
easy to read. No and/or with a few significant structure. Very
errors in spelling sentence spelling and/or number of difficult to
or sentence structure sentence errors of read.
structure. errors. Clearly structure spelling and/or
presented and errors. sentence
good structure. Readable. structure. Not
Easy to read. always easy to
read.
Oral Voice clear, Voice is clear Voice for most Voice and Voice unclear
communication nicely paced, for the majority of the delivery are and
narrative is well of the presentation is acceptable. presentation is
(formal structured and presentation clear. Variable Rushed and rushed.
presentation) information is and not pacing. unclear in Narrative and
presented in a rushed. some parts. visual aids
good format. Narrative Limited poorly
Very good visual Generally well lacking some structure to structured.
aids. structured and structure. narrative.
presented with Generally Adequate

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 visual aids.
good visual visual aids are
aids. good.
Numeracy Competent in all Competent in Competent in Competent in Not competent
those areas the majority of most of the limited areas in all areas
relevant to the the areas areas relevant relevant to the relevant to the
topic. relevant to the to the topic. topic. topic.
topic.

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