This module explores more complex topics in biology and chemistry through lectures, tutorials and lab classes, providing a foundation for further study in the Biosciences and Chemistry department at Sheffield Hallam. Through an enjoyable and stimulating learning experience you’ll gain a higher level of confidence in biology and chemistry, building on your understanding of material covered in semester 1 and further developing competent laboratory skills and data analysis.  

You’ll study topics such as: 

• Mammalian cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, nervous and renal systems 

• DNA technology and cancer 

• Control systems and homeostasis in physiological systems, and feedback loops 

• Redox reactions, oxidation states and electrochemistry 

• Acid and bases, pH and buffers 

• Principles of thermodynamics, enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs energy 

• Reaction kinetics, rate law, orders of reaction and the Arrhenius Equation 

• Polymers and biomolecules 

• Coordination and inorganic complexes 

• Environmental chemistry and societal issues 

This module further develops effective study, IT, numeracy and communication skills, continuing the theme of reflective practice alongside the completion of a portfolio. You’ll learn through IT classes, seminars and tutorials, developing your study, time management, planning and communication skills.  

You’ll study topics such as: 

•  Verbal and non-verbal communication techniques  

• Presentation techniques 

• Scientific writing, citation and referencing  

• Academic integrity 

• Statistics, measures of dispersion, range and interquartile range 

• Standard deviation, standard deviation and variance 

• Algebraic manipulation, expressions, substitution and re-arrangement 

• Graphs and functions  

• The straight line and its equation

This module develops the study, IT, numeracy and communication skills you’ll need to succeed at foundation year, and to prepare for level 4 and beyond. Through IT classes, seminars and tutorials, you’ll combine biology and chemistry knowledge with reflection, planning and the completion of a portfolio.  

You’ll study topics such as: 

• Familiarisation with SHU resources  

• MyHallam and course-specific Blackboard sites  

• Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, email and online tools 

• Introduction to reflective practice and action planning  

• Study skills and time management  

• Using the learning centre and note taking 

• Foundations of maths  

• Simple arithmetic operations  

• Fractions and decimals  

• Recording and interpreting data 

This module develops your fundamental knowledge of atoms, molecules, cells and tissues in lectures, tutorials and lab classes. You’ll gain confidence in biology and chemistry – developing safe and competent practical laboratory skills while laying the foundations to study biology or chemistry related subjects in the future.  

You’ll study topics such as: 

• Atomic structure, mass, atomic number and isotopes 

• Chemical symbols, the Periodic Table and electronic configurations 

• Bonding: ionic and covalent, intermolecular forces and bonding in metals 

• Elements, mixtures and compounds: gases, liquids and solids 

• Relative atomic mass and relative molecular mass: the mole concept 

• Reacting masses, equations, concentrations of solutions and standard solutions 

• Organic chemistry bonding, shapes of molecules and functional groups 

• Cells: nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids and proteins 

• Cell structure, functions, membranes, organelles and replication 

• Introduction to general safe laboratory work 

This module develops the fundamental professional and practical skills you’ll need as a scientist. You’ll learn through seminars, workshops, tutorials and practical classes. 

You’ll study topics such as: 

• Identifying and using appropriate information sources and technologies 

• The application of mathematics to scientific data 

• Effective communication 

• Consideration of ethical issues around the mini project 

• Awareness and development of employability 

• Fundamental practical training 

• Creativity and problem solving 

This module provides a fundamental understanding of disease, detection in population settings and screening methodologies, preparing you for a career in public health or data science. You’ll gain the skills to interrogate large, publicly available data-sets, evaluating the impact of public health interventions and working collaboratively on current global health challenges.  

You’ll study topics such as: 

• New and developing disease screening techniques and interventions 

• The application of current population-based screening techniques  

• Epidemiology and the nature of disease 

• Current population-level disease screening programmes  

• Sensitivity and specificity data for screening and diagnostics  

• Evaluation of relative benefits vs harms of screening  

• Current population-level health interventions  

• Evaluation of efficacy data for health interventions and harms 

• Impact of health inequalities on population-based screening  

• Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for disease threats 

This module develops your knowledge and understanding of the core bioscience concepts and fundamental processes of biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, microbiology, anatomy, physiology and genetics. You’ll also explore the underpinning knowledge of basic organic and physical of chemistry, learning from seminars and tutors.  

You’ll study topics such as:  

• Structure, chemical and biological functions 

• Carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, proteins, enzymes, DNA and RNA 

• Structure and function of virus, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells 

• Genetic regulation and control of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells 

• Tissue and organ structures, human anatomy and physiology 

• The underpinning chemistry for bioscientists 

• Biological and environmental chemistry and pathophysiology 

This module develops your understanding of the physiology of the human reproductive system, including the role of the gonadal hormones. You’ll gain an appreciation of how science and medicine can manipulate these systems in both health and disease, and we’ll explore the role of reproductive technologies in assisted reproduction. 

You’ll study topics such as:  

•  Anatomy of the male and female reproductive systems 

• Physiology of gamete formation and fertilisation 

• Implantation and embryology 

• Gonadal hormones including feedback mechanisms 

• Hormonal contraception 

• Disorders of the reproductive system and therapeutics  

• Impact on male and female fertility  

• In vitro fertilisation 

• Pre-natal and preimplantation testing, and reproductive ethics

This module introduces the fundamental professional and practical skills you’ll need as a scientist, within a programme of seminars, workshops, tutorials and practical classes. 

 You’ll study topics such as: 

• Appropriate information sources and technologies 

• The application of mathematics to scientific data 

• Introduction to professional ethics 

• Introduction to global science issues 

• Introduction to sustainability and the UN Sustainability Goals 

• Effective communication 

• Awareness and development of employability 

• Fundamental practical training 

This module enables you to apply your lab, practical and professional skills – demonstrating strong scientific practice and the employability qualities you’ll need as a scientific graduate. Through  
course-focused lab-based projects, you’ll incorporate work-integrated learning using real problems and scenarios seen within the scientific industry.  

You’ll apply learning and skills to: 

• Technical activities, experimental design and project management  

• Sustainability and sustainable lab practice within practical design 

• The use of appropriate information sources and technologies  

• Effective communication, presenting and written communications 

• Processes in accountability, time management and decision making 

• Applications of mathematical and statistical techniques  

• Usage of information technology for the range of scientific activities  

• Data handling and manipulation of large and complex data sets  

• Data application to bioinformatics  

This module enables you to apply your practical and professional skills to demonstrate strong scientific practice and the employability qualities you’ll need as a scientific graduate. You’ll undertake  
lab-based work-integrated underpinned by subject module theoretical knowledge. 

You’ll apply skills and learning such as: 

• Ethical considerations and technical activities  

• Experimental design and project management  

• Use of appropriate information sources and technologies  

• Effective communication, presenting and written communications  

• Processes in accountability, time management and decision making 

• Sustainability and sustainable lab practice within practical design 

• Mathematical and statistical techniques 

This module provides knowledge of the immune system, its components and functions, and broadens your knowledge of viral, prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms. It also aims to provide an understanding of how microbes interact with humans and the environment. 

You’ll study topics such as: 

•  Innate and adaptive immunity 

• Lymphoid tissues and organs  

• Soluble factors: antibodies, cytokines  

• Antigen recognition, lymphocyte and complement activation  

• Antibody-mediated and cell-mediated effector mechanisms  

• Vaccination, immunotherapy and pathogenic mechanisms  

• Virulence, treatment, pathogenicity and epidemiology  

• Hospital-acquired infections, control and drug-resistance  

• Bacterial genetics, food, water and environmental health  

• Sexually transmitted diseases and antibiotic resistance 

This module covers fundamental principles of biochemistry and cellular processes including the structure and function of biomolecules, energy production and gene expression.  Through lectures, tutorials and practical sessions, you’ll learn about cell biology, cycle regulation and the relationship between cellular biochemistry and disease. 

You’ll study topics such as:  

• Chemical structure and functional properties  

• Pathways involved in energy production and metabolism  

• Gene expression mechanisms 

• Cellular structure, organelles and function 

• Cellular signalling pathways 

• Biochemical processes  

• Ethical considerations in biochemistry research  

• Use of animal models  

• The potential implications of biotechnology advances 

This module examines the entire spectrum of human physiological ability in both health and disease, including comparative study of the physiological changes that result in peak human performance, compared to those observed during disease pathophysiology. You’ll take a system-based approach to studying the homeostatic regulation of the body, and how changes induced by physiological training and disease can affect function.  

You’ll study topics such as: 

• Cell homeostasis and normal physiological function  

• Cognitive function and physiological performance  

• Integration of the respiratory and cardiovascular system (CVS)  

• Muscle physiology mechanics and locomotion 

• Bone health and disease 

• Water balance, composition and volume  

• Coping with environmental and physiological extremes  

• Energy balance, metabolism and cellular respiration  

Module aim:    

The aim of this module is to enhance students’ professional development through the completion of and reflection on meaningful work placement(s).  

A work placement will provide students with opportunities to experience the realities of professional employment and experience how their course can be applied within their chosen industry setting.

The placement will: 

• Allow student to apply the skills, theories and behaviours relevant and in addition to their course 

• Enable students to enhance their interpersonal skills in demand by graduate employers – communication, problem solving, creativity, resilience, team work etc

• Grow their student network and relationship building skills 

• Provide student with insights into the industry and sector in which their placement occurs 

• Help student make informed graduate careers choices

Indicative Content:  

In this module students undertake a sandwich placement (min 24 weeks / min 21 hours per week) which is integrated, assessed and aligned to their studies.  

Their personal Placement Academic Supervisor (PAS) will be their key point of contact during their placement and will encourage and support students to reflect on their experience, learning and contribution to the organisation they work for.  

To demonstrate gains in professional development, students will be required to share their progress, learning and achievements with their Placement Academic Supervisor and reflect on these for the summative piece of work. 

Module Aim:  

To support students to develop, evidence, reflect on and improve their employment skills within the context of their career aspirations, the work-place and their own scientific discipline. 

Indicative content:  

• Employment and further study opportunities for Biosciences & Chemistry graduates both in scientific and non-scientific settings 

• Oral and written communication of employability skills 

Delivered through a programme of workshops and tutorials covering employment opportunities and skills. 

Development and articulation of employability is embedded within all courses through the Professional & Scientific Practice modules that run from level 4 to level 6. 

This module develops your understanding of how novel biological therapies and cellular therapies are designed and used clinically, and how advanced DNA sequencing approaches support personalised medicine approaches. We’ll also explore wider implications of cost in the context of health inequality. 

You’ll study topics such as:  

• The genetic basis of diseases, including cancer. 

• Next generation sequencing technologies 

• Targeted sequencing approaches. 

• Liquid biopsies and circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) 

• Aassessing minimal residual disease and therapy responses 

• Cancer vaccines 

• Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T cell therapy (CAR-T) 

• Therapeutic outcomes of the 100K genomes study 

• Ex vivo gene therapy 

• Therapeutic antibodies and biologic therapies 

This module develops your understanding of how dietary components contribute to maintaining life, health and disease prevention. You’ll explore how the body utilises nutrients, energy balance and what happens when it goes wrong, as well as the wider effects of dietary imbalances on disease progression.   

You’ll study topics such as:  
 

• Dietary changes through the ages  

• Macronutrients and micronutrients  

• Sources and requirements 

• Digestion, absorption and biological roles 

• Energy balance, activity and energy requirements.  

• Assessment of Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)  

• Processes for energy metabolism 

• Control of body weight, appetite and food intake 

• Diets for weight loss 

Module Aim:  

The module aims to expand students’ ability to independently follow a research strategy, undertake critical assessment of data obtained and to extend and apply professional and personal skills required for the planning and implementation of a research activity. The student will develop their communication skills following scientific standards. Teaching is delivered through multiple activities, lab- and non-based, online, in person, both in groups and individually. 

Indicative content:  
Projects will be allocated a project from a pool of topics related to academic staff’s research and professional interests. 

Topics will be course relevant and can span across chemistry, biochemistry, analytical science, pedagogy, biomedical sciences, biology and bioinformatics, with each grouping containing several sub-topics.