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Description

Programme Specification for the 2021/2 academic year

BSc (Hons) Human Biosciences with Professional Placement

1. Programme Details

Programme nameBSc (Hons) Human Biosciences with Professional Placement Programme codeUFS4SHSBIO01
Study mode(s)Full Time
Part Time
Academic year2021/2
Campus(es)St Luke's (Exeter)
NQF Level of the Final Award6 (Honours)

2. Description of the Programme

This four-year version of the BSc Human Biosciences degree will enable you to combine our outstanding undergraduate offering in the subject area with a year spent undertaking a relevant work placement.

The BSc (Hons) Human Biosciences with Professional Placement at Exeter is taught jointly by Biosciences and Sport and Health Sciences. The core programme represents an innovative, collaborative teaching response to a broadening demand for graduates with skills in fields of study relating to biological and sport science. It allows you to study scientific aspects of health, physical activity and biotechnology and recognises the importance that exercise can play in the prevention and treatment of disease. You will receive a thorough grounding in the study of human and molecular biology together with the various sub-disciplines of exercise and sport sciences, including biomechanics, kinesiology, human and applied physiology, molecular biology, genetics and microbiology.

The professional placement year, which will take place in year three of the programme, offers you the opportunity to undertake a relevant work within an organisation appropriate to your degree. You will be encouraged to consider available positions at a wide range of organisations, including those in the healthcare and scientific research sectors. You will begin submitting applications in your second year and have a 12-month window to apply and secure a placement. Placement providers typically use their own recruitment and selection procedures.

You will gain valuable experience from the professional placement: you will learn to apply the skills learnt during the first and second years, improve personal and transferable skills, make new contacts and enhance your employability. Professional placements allow you to develop your career focus and are valued highly by employers.

We will endeavour to support you in finding and applying for suitable placements, but please note that you will need to secure a placement through competition with others. We cannot therefore guarantee a position for you. If you're unable to secure a placement, you will be transferred back to the three-year programme.

3. Educational Aims of the Programme

This programme aims:

  • To provide you with knowledge and understanding of topics that underpin our understanding of human structure and function, from the fundamentals to their research-informed application.
  • To provide you with a scientific, intellectual, and practical training that will prepare you for autonomous lifelong learning and enhance your employability.
  • To enable you to experience a supportive learning environment that fosters your academic and personal development.
  • Offer you an opportunity to develop and apply knowledge, theory and skills within a professional placement setting.

4. Programme Structure

5. Programme Modules

The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.

You may take optional modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.

You may take elective modules up to 30 credits outside of the programme in the second and final stages as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.  

You are also permitted to take the five-credit module ESS3910 Professional Development Experience or the five, ten and 15 credit Professional Development Experience modules, BIO3910, BIO3911 and BIO3912, in the second or final years. Registration on these modules is subject to a competitive application process. If taken, these modules will not count towards progression or award calculation.

Stage 1


120 credits of compulsory modules

Compulsory Modules

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
BIO1333 Fundamental Principles for Bioscientists 15No
BIO1334 Genetics 15No
BIO1337 Microbiology 15No
BIO1339 Cells 15No
ESS1006 Human Anatomy and Kinanthropometry 15No
ESS1007 Human Physiology 15No
ESS1204 Foundations of Biomechanics 15No
ESS1703 Bioenergetics 15No

Stage 2


60 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules.

You must take at least 45 credits from Biosciences and at least 45 credits from Exercise and Sport Sciences; at most 30 credits can be chosen from other disciplines in the University.

a You must choose 30-60 credits from the Biosciences modules listed starting with the code BIO2.

b Youcan choose 0-30 credits from the Sport and Health Sciences modules listed starting with the code ESS.

Compulsory Modules

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
BIO2071 Research Skills and Bioethics 15No
ESS2001 Exercise Physiology 15No
ESS2004 Biomechanics and Kinesiology 15No
ESS2304 Quantitative Research Methods 15No

Optional Modules

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
SHS S2 BSc HB - Bio opt 2021-2 [See note a above]
BIO2066 Forensic Science 15 No
BIO2078 Medical and General Microbiology 15 No
BIO2088 Advanced Cell Biology 15 No
BIO2089 Molecular Biology of the Gene 15 No
BIO2092 Genomics and Introductory Bioinformatics 15 No
BIO2093 Modern Theories of Evolution 15 No
BIO2094 Molecular Microbiology 15 No
SHS S2 BSc HB - SHS opt 2021-2 [See note b above]
ESS1606 Nutrition and Metabolism 15 No
ESS2017 Measurement of Physical Activity, Exercise and Sport 15 No
ESS2222 Motor Control 15 No
ESS2508 Strength and Conditioning Physiology 15 No

Stage 3


120 credits of compulsory modules.

c You must takeeitherESS3108 or BIO3087 andBIO3088 (120 credits total). ESS3108 should be taken if you aim to do a Sport and Health Sciences-related placement. BIO3087 and BIO3088 should be taken if you aim to do a Biosciences-related placement. Module convenors will be available to advise you on the most appropriate module selection.

Compulsory Modules

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
ESS3108 Professional Placement [See note c above]120Yes
BIO3087 Professional Placement and Report [See note c above]105Yes
BIO3088 Learning from Professional Placement Experience [See note c above]15No

Stage 4


15-45 credits of compulsory modules, 75-105 credits of optional modules (subject to an overall total of 120 credits)

d You must choose one of BIO3096, ESS3302, ESS3303, ESS3304 or ESS3305.

e You must choose 30-75 credits from the Biosciences modules listed starting with the code BIO but the Research Project can form part of these credits.

f Youmust choose 30-75 credits from the Sport and Health Sciences modules listed starting with the code ESS but the Dissertation or Independent Project Review can form part of these credits.

Compulsory Modules

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
BIO3096 Biosciences Research Project [See note d above]45Yes
ESS3302 Dissertation [See note d above]45Yes
ESS3303 Independent Research Review [See note d above]15No
ESS3304 Dissertation (Physiology) [See note d above]45Yes
ESS3305 Independent Research Review (Physiology) [See note d above]15No

Optional Modules

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
SHS SF BSc HB - Bio opt 2021-2 [See note e above]
BIO3077 Frontiers in Molecular Cell Biology 15 No
BIO3078 Cellular Basis of Immunity 15 No
BIO3079 Molecular Basis of Infection 15 No
BIO3082 Science Communication 15 No
BIO3086 Cell Biology of Disease 15 No
BIO3092 Bioinformatics 15 No
BIO3097 Living in a Microbial World 15 No
SHS SF BSc HB - SHS opt 2021-2 [See note f above]
ESS2509 Sports Nutrition and Metabolism 15 No
ESS2900 Employability and Career Development 15 No
ESS3509 Advanced Strength and Conditioning Physiology 15 No
ESS3703 Paediatric Exercise Physiology 15 No
ESS3706 Integrated Physiology and Adaptation to Physical (in)activity 15 No
ESS3707 Physiological Determinants of Exercise Performance 15 No
ESS3804 Clinical Exercise Prescription 30 No
ESS3805 Biomechanical Analysis of Human Movement 30 No

6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

1. Demonstrate critical, detailed, research-informed knowledge and understanding of human structure and function, and be able to relate this in particular to Exercise and Sport Science in the areas of Kinesiology and Biomechanics and Exercise and Sport Physiology)
2. Demonstrate a research-informed understanding of molecular, physiological or environmental influences on human structure and function
3. Plan, design and execute established techniques of analysis and enquiry within the human biosciences
4. Demonstrate an awareness of ethical issues relating to human biosciences

Lectures, tutor-led workshops or seminars; laboratories; formative essays; prepared problem-based lectures; personal and academic tutorials; group tasks; ELE based learning tasks.  

  • Laboratory report (ILO 1-4)
  • Independent research project (ILO 1-4)
  • Field and Laboratory practical examination (ILO 1-4)
  • Seen and unseen examinations (ILO 1-4)
  • Oral presentations (ILO 1-4)
  • Extended coursework essays / reports (ILO 1-4)

Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

5. Critically assess and evaluate evidence
6. Apply a range of appropriate skills to produce an independent piece of work informed by research
7. Apply knowledge to familiar and unfamiliar settings

Lectures, tutor-led workshops or seminars; laboratories; formative essays; prepared problem-based lectures; personal and academic tutorials; group tasks; ELE based learning tasks.  

  • Laboratory report (ILO 5-7)
  • Independent research project (ILO 5-7)
  • Field and laboratory practical examination (ILO 5 + 7)
  • Seen and unseen examinations (ILO 5)
  • Oral presentations (ILO 5)
  • Reflective portfolios (ILO 7)
  • Extended coursework essays / reports (ILO 5-6)

Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

8. Communicate ideas effectively and professionally by written, oral and visual means
9. Study autonomously and undertake projects with minimum guidance
10. Select and properly manage information drawn from books, journals, and the internet
11. Interact effectively in a group

Transferable skills permeate every activity within the programme content and assessment – examinations, presentations, workshops, personal profiling (PDP scheme), word processing, lectures, tutor-led workshops or seminars; laboratories; formative essays; prepared problem-based lectures; personal and academic tutorials; group tasks; ELE based learning tasks.  

  • Laboratory report (ILO 8-11)
  • Independent research project (ILO 8-11)
  • Field and laboratory practical examination (ILO 8-11)
  • Seen and unseen examinations (ILO 8-11)
  • Oral presentations (ILO 8-11)
  • Reflective portfolios (ILO 8-11)
  • Extended coursework essays / reports (ILO 8-11) 

7. Programme Regulations

Programme-Specific Progression Rules

To progress to Stage 2, you need to achieve an average mark of at least 60% in Stage 1. If you do not achieve an average mark of 60% in Stage 1, you will be interviewed to determine whether you can continue the Professional Placement programme. If unsuccessful at interview you will be transferred to the 3-year BSc Human Biosciences programme. If you are unsuccessful in your application for a professional placement, you will normally be transferred to the three year programme.

In stage three you will take either ESS3108 (120 credits), or BIO3087 and BIO3088 (120 credits total), depending on whether you secure a Sport and Health Sciences- or Bioscience-related placement, respectively. ESS3108 and BIO3087 are not condonable; you must pass the module to graduate with the degree title of BSc Human Biosciences with Professional Placement. If you fail the professional placement module your degree title will be commuted to BSc Human Biosciences.

Classification

Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.

8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning

Sport and Health Sciences (SHS) is the ‘home’ discipline for Human Biosciences students and each student will be allocated a Personal Tutor in SHS on arrival. You will also be given a point of contact in Biosciences should you need to seek advice specific to that discipline. You can also expect reasonable access to all teaching staff for academic tutorials through appointments. In addition there is a Programme Director who will offer support and advice to all students on a programme and a dedicated careers and employability tutor to co-ordinate the interaction between you, careers service and the discipline.

In addition, you are provided with

  • Induction course before the start of your first year
  • Library induction sessions
  • Student handbook and module guides
  • Access to Discipline Disability Officers

You will have access to the Seminar Speaker Series where leading researchers are invited to give research seminars.

The Student/Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC) enables students and staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision. The BSc SSLC in Sport and Health Sciences meets termly and is chaired by a student representative.

9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning

Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.

10. Admissions Criteria

Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.

Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.

Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.

11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards

Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.

The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.

(http://as.exeter.ac.uk/support/admin/staff/qualityassuranceandmonitoring/tqamanual/fullcontents/)

12. Indicators of Quality and Standards

The programme is not subject to accreditation and/ or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs).

13. Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards

The University and its constituent Colleges review the quality and standard of teaching and learning in all taught programmes against a range of criteria through the procedures outlined in the Teaching Quality Assurance (TQA) Manual Quality Review Framework.

14. Awarding Institution

University of Exeter

15. Lead College / Teaching Institution

College of Life and Environmental Sciences (CLES)

16. Partner College / Institution

Partner College(s)

Not applicable to this programme

Partner Institution

Not applicable to this programme.

17. Programme Accredited / Validated by

Not applicable to this programme.

18. Final Award

BSc (Hons) Human Biosciences with Professional Placement

19. UCAS Code

Not applicable to this programme.

20. NQF Level of Final Award

6 (Honours)

21. Credit

CATS credits

180

ECTS credits

90

22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group

23. Dates

Origin Date

01/03/2021

Date of last revision

01/03/2021