Study information

Programme Specification for the 2024/5 academic year

MSc Advanced Biological Sciences and Business

1. Programme Details

Programme nameMSc Advanced Biological Sciences and Business Programme codePTS1BIOSBE01
Study mode(s)Level 1
 Academic year2024/5
Campus(es)Streatham (Exeter)
 NQF Level of the Final Award7 (Masters)

2. Description of the Programme

The MSc Advanced Biological Sciences and Business draws upon the combined research expertise and teaching strengths of Biosciences and our world-leading Business School. Across both departments , our faculty comprises academics at the forefront of their field with strong industry connections, and this carefully designed programme will equip you with the sought-after skills demanded by industry, setting you up for success in the job market.

You will complete independent research projects in both Biosciences and Business, thus developing your practical and theoretical biosciences skills alongside awareness and insight relating to international business and entrepreneurship. In Biosciences, our Advanced Laboratory Skills and Professional Skills modules will provide the foundations for your independent Biosciences research project, which will benefit from our world-leading research facilities. Within the Business School, our Principles of International Business module will prepare you for the International Business Plan module, a capstone module that will help you integrate the knowledge from across the programme and apply that to the development of an individual business plan. Alongside these modules, you will be able to choose two optional advanced modules from each Department that align with your research interests.

 

3. Educational Aims of the Programme

The educational aims of the programme are to:

  • Provide you with the knowledge and understanding of biology at the frontiers of the subject.
  • Provide you with the digital, computational, statistical, translational, entrepreneurship and commercial skills to prepare you for employment in the Life Sciences sector and for autonomous lifelong learning.
  • Enable you to experience a supportive learning environment that fosters your academic and personal development.
  • Enable you to think critically, evaluate evidence, analyse, challenge, solve problems, work collaboratively, and communicate effectively.

 

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.

Stage 1

Stage 1: 120 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules

Compulsory Modules

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
BIOM509 Professional Skills 15No
BIOM549 Advanced Laboratory Skills 15No
BIOM550 Research Project 1 45Yes
BEMM116 Principles of International Business 15No
BEMM384 International Business Plan 30Yes

Optional Modules

You must choose 30 credits from the modules listed in the optional modules table starting with BIOM, CSC, GEOM, HPDM, NSCM or PSYM and 30 credits of Business School modules (starting with BEMM).

Students may instead choose to take 45 credits from the first option list (BIOM, CSC, GEOM, HPDM, NSCM or PSYM options) and 15 credits from the second, Business School options list (BEMM options).  Students who take this pathway will be awarded a degree title of ‘MSc Advanced Biological Sciences with Business’.

You cannot choose BIOM570 Beyond the Frontiers of Medical Mycology if you have already taken the undergraduate version, BIO3058 Beyond the Frontiers of Medical Mycology.

 

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
BEMM488 Entrepreneurship and Complete Sustainable Value Creation 15No
BEMM375 Sustainable Tourism Management 15No
BEMM164 Consumption, Markets and Culture 15No
BEMM071 Leadership and Global Challenges 15No
MSc Advanced Biological Sciences and Business Biosciences options 24-25
BIOM515 Cellular Basis of Immunity 15 No
BIOM516 Bioinformatics 15 No
BIOM543 Ecology of Environmental Change 15 No
BIOM544 Ecotoxicology 15 No
BIOM545 Frontiers in Plant Biology 15 No
BIOM546 Living in a Microbial World 15 No
BIOM547 Frontiers in Molecular Cell Biology 15 No
BIOM548 Cell Biology of Disease 15 No
BIOM553 Current Issues in Marine Biology 15 No
BIOM554 Advanced Applications of Physiology 15 No
BIOM567 Application of Genomics in Infectious Disease 15 No
BIOM568 Blue Planet 15 No
NSCM005 Mathematical Modelling in Biology and Medicine 15 No
BIOM555 Bioimaging 15 No
BIOM570 Beyond the Frontiers of Medical Mycology 15 No
BIOM571 Molecular Biology of Bacterial Infection 15 No
CSC3011 Medical Genomics 15 No
CSC3009 Pharmacogenomics 15 No
GEOM149 Green Planet 15 No
HPDM041 Bioinformatics, Interpretation and Data Quality Assurance in Genome Analysis 15 No
PSYM213 Current Research Issues in Animal Behaviour 15 No
BIOM534 Medical Mycology 15 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. Explain systematically current problems and/or new insights in biosciences.
2. Describe comprehensively some techniques applicable to research in Biosciences.
3. Apply detailed knowledge with originality and illustrate practically how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in biosciences.
4. Evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline, evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, propose new hypotheses.

  • Taught lectures
  • Field Trips
  • Laboratory work/training
  • Data analysis
  • Guided reading of literature, literature research and revision
  • Design and Implementation of research project

The programme uses a diversity of assessment methods such as:

  • Essay/report
  • Oral presentation
  • Short answer and multiple choice tests (MCQ)
  • Literature Review
  • Project report
  • Grant proposal
  • Poster presentation
  • Practical work and reports
  • Quantitative (numerical) problems

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. Collate and synthesise information from multiple sources.
6. Critically evaluate current research in the discipline.
7. Within the independent research project module assessments, demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to your research.
8. Undertake research in an organised and rigorous manner

See above

See above

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:

9. Solve problems by the application of appropriate scientific principles and methods.
10. Communicate ideas effectively and professionally by written, oral and visual means to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
11. Work as part of a team.
12. Interact effectively with academic and professional contacts.

See above

See above

7. Programme Regulations

The programme has 120 credits of compulsory modules and 60 credits of optional modules split between Biosciences and Business. If you split your optional modules evenly, you will graduate with a MSc Advanced Biological Sciences and Business degree. If you only take 15 credits of optional modules in Business, you will graduate with a MSc Advanced Biological Sciences with Business degree.

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

Biosciences offers you regular meetings each term with your personal tutor and your project supervisor. Your personal tutor will be located in biosciences and will provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme, supporting your academic and personal development and providing you with pastoral support as required (e.g. relating to accommodation, financial difficulties, wellbeing and sickness). Your project supervisor will provide you with tailored support throughout the duration of your research project. In addition, you can expect reasonable access to all other teaching staff through appointments, whilst the Programme Director in Biosciences will act as your first point of contact for programme-related queries.

Each module will be supported electronically through the Exeter Learning Environment (ELE) where lecture notes, reading lists and assessment details will be provided. You will also be able to follow your record of achievement through the student record tab on the MyExeter student portal.

Computers can be accessed in Hatherly B12 and the Library; Printers can be accessed in the Peter Chalk Hub.

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.

(Quality Review Framework.

14. Awarding Institution

University of Exeter

15. Lead College / Teaching Institution

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

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

MSc Advanced Biological Sciences and Business

19. UCAS Code

Not applicable to this programme.

20. NQF Level of Final Award

7 (Masters)

21. Credit

CATS credits

180

 ECTS credits

90

22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group

23. Dates

Origin Date

18/01/2024

 Date of last revision