Biological Sciences with Foundation Year

Kingston University

This module provides you with a dynamic exploration of how human physiology and anatomy work together to underpin health, movement, and physical performance. You will investigate how key physiological systems like the cardiovascular, muscular, and nervous systems work together, while exploring the principles of biomechanics to understand how the body moves and adapts to homeostatic challenges.  

This module introduces basic cell biology of prokaryotes and eukaryotes, genetics, germ layers, and tissue types in the human body, as well as various microorganisms. You will experience practical sessions in a state-of-the-art laboratory, on microscopy, histology, cytogenetics and microbiology, enabling you to develop practical skills in the correct use of microscopes, examining and studying chromosomes, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, microbes and tissues, interpreting, and recording biological data, and build upon your knowledge gained from lectures.

This module provides a firm foundation in the general scientific and laboratory skills students require to successfully complete their programmes of study. A significant component of the module consists of the development and demonstration of core technical/practical skills through familiarity with the laboratory environment through hands-on learning. This module will also introduce you to Future Skills through engagement with the Navigate programme introducing the key graduate attributes required in developing your professional development portfolio in the biosciences. The Future Skills concepts and activities will support you in developing and evidencing your practice, scientific analytical/problem-solving, teamworking, digital competency, practical and numeracy skills.

This module provides an understanding of how basic chemical elements are bonded to form complex biomolecules in living systems. In this module, we will explore the role and structure of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids and delve into defining their properties and functions. The module will also introduce the vital role of energy transformations in living organisms. Core material is delivered through lectures, online resources and activities, and problem-solving workshops supported by laboratory practicals and subsequent data analysis.

This module is divided into two distinct parts. The first part explores biodiversity on our planet and investigates the genetic processes that create this variation. Through real-world examples and computer-based workshops, students will examine both historical and ongoing evolution. The second part broadens the scope to encompass the wider aspects of the biological sciences and beyond. It focuses on developing your Future Skills by engaging you with Explore, enhancing your research, problem-solving, and critical thinking abilities, and preparing you for their final year capstone project. You will be supported by tutor meetings, which help you work on tasks to develop, articulate, and reflect on your progress and graduate attributes. The Future Skills learning outcomes are integrated into this module.

This module provides you with knowledge of the structure and methods of analysis of proteins, with particular emphasis on enzymes. This is followed by the study of the major catabolic and anabolic pathways and investigates how organisms obtain and use energy. These processes, and their regulation in health and disease, are considered at the molecular level, which involves many proteins including enzymes.

This module delves into the fascinating world of microorganisms, that play a big role in health and disease. We’ll explore how our immune system responds to these microscopic agents. Through interactive lectures and workshops, we’ll examine various microbiological processes. You will learn about controlling these organisms in laboratory settings and within patients. You will also become familiar with the immune system’s different cells and organs, understanding how they work together to protect the body from infections upon first exposure and during subsequent encounters. Lastly, we’ll introduce some of the molecular processes and signalling events crucial for communication between human immune cells.

This module discusses the fascinating world of cellular mechanisms of disease and explore how cellular pathology integrates with clinical pathology and other disciplines. Particular emphasis is given to hand-on laboratory techniques to understand cellular injury and its role in routine diagnosis. By the end of the module, you will understand the effects of cell injury, inflammation, cancer, infertility, and genetic diseases on cells. You will learn how cellular pathology and diagnostic techniques contribute to disease identification and the development of research-informed treatments, preparing you for bright and impactful careers in science.

You will be introduced to the molecular and cellular basis of human diseases. This module covers basic concepts of inheritance patterns, population genetics and genetic disorders including single-gene disorders, chromosomal imbalances, epigenetics, and complex disorders. You will learn about molecular genetics techniques, genetic testing and counselling, pharmacogenomics, and personalised medicine.  

This module builds on topics covered in your first year and explores advanced concepts in cell and molecular biology. The module provides a molecular insight into the structure and function of cells and takes an integrated approach to understand how cells respond to changes in their environment – from receptor interactions and intracellular signalling pathways through to the regulation of gene expression and changes in cellular processes.

This module provides you with an opportunity to learn about drug therapies used in the treatment of both infectious diseases and cancer. Treatments for infectious diseases will cover drugs that have actions on bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, while the cancer therapies will include a range of different neoplastic diseases, including drug treatments for both solid and blood cancers.  

This module provides you with the opportunity to integrate the knowledge you have gained from all other modules on the course. We will use case studies to provide an overview of biomedical techniques, including the use of point of care testing (POC) and traditional laboratory diagnosis. You will examine their applications in clinical diagnosis, prognosis, and patient management, including drug interactions and the basis of individual variation in drug responsiveness. The use of pertinent clinical cases encourages you to think 'outside the box’ and realise that when dealing with a real patient, knowledge gained from the discipline is required simultaneously to make a rational diagnosis.

Enormous amounts of data are generated in Life Sciences research every day with a wide range of applications such as providing insight into genetic diseases, modelling how a drug interacts with its target protein, exploring the diversity of microbes in our digestive systems, establishing changes of gene expression in cancer/disease, and tracking the spread of cancerous cells. Bioinformatics forms an interface between biological sciences and information technology. In this module, you will develop the skills necessary to write your own computer programs (using R and/or Python) and use online tools to analyse and interpret real-world biological datasets. Alongside this, you will explore genomic variability, molecular evolution and phylogenetics in the context of bioinformatics. The module introduces an area of increasing importance in many areas of bioscience research, including molecular diagnostics and drug development.

You will learn about the molecular and cellular basis of neurological and psychiatric disorders and differences. You will explore existing and new pharmacological and other therapies to treat these conditions. This research-driven module will introduce you to a range of topical areas in neuropharmacology, psychopharmacology, neurophysiology and neuroscience, including neurodiversity and neuroplasticity.  

Your independent project forms a very important part of your degree programme. There are several types of projects that may be offered to you: a laboratory or field-based project, data projects involving acquisition of data and information from surveys, computer simulations or bioinformatics, or a systematic review of research literature that includes the collection, analysis, and original presentation of reported research data.  

This module gives you a dedicated opportunity to develop your Future Skills Graduate Attributes. At the start of the module, you will be supported to self-assess your current skills profile. You will determine which attributes and skills you need to develop to support your career ambitions. In this process, you will be supported by a dedicated career coach, helping you explore a range of options that includes self-employment/freelancing, starting your own business, higher level study, and other professional graduate-level opportunities. Throughout the module, you will be given opportunities to engage with external mentors, to support reflection and to develop a professional network.

This module’s primary aim is to provide you with comprehensive insights into the exploration of current innovations and technological advances within the biomolecular sciences. The module emphasises how these innovations can be effectively translated into public benefits, including through commercial exploitation, social enhancement, or environmental improvement. By the end of the module, you will have a comprehensive understanding of the processes involved in bridging the gap between scientific innovation and real-world application, preparing you for a successful career in the biosciences.