Biology - U7UBOLGY

This module will give you a good grounding in the basic principles of the nervous system of humans and other animals. Topics will include neuroanatomy, cellular neuroscience, neuropharmacology, sensory systems, neuroendocrinology, memory, behavioural neuroscience and diseases of the nervous system. These will be delivered through weekly lectures and practical classes.

In this module, you’ll explore how the human body processes the nutrients it needs to function. From obtaining and digesting to absorbing and metabolising macronutrients and micronutrients, you’ll gain a solid understanding of these essential processes. You’ll also examine the intricate relationship between nutrition and energy metabolism, delving into their effects on energy balance, body weight regulation, and body composition.

The module further investigates the tissue-specific regulation of macronutrient metabolism, giving you deeper insights into the complexities of the human body. By building this foundation, you’ll be better equipped to understand the science behind nutrition and its role in maintaining health and well-being.

This module immerses you in practical field zoology through an engaging residential field course, complemented by self-directed study. You’ll spend most of your time conducting fieldwork, supported by lab work, workshops, and seminars. Using data you gather yourself, you’ll explore the incredible diversity of animals and plants in European habitats, learning how to identify species, count populations, and understand the factors influencing their distributions. 

For those unable to participate in the residential fieldwork, alternative opportunities will ensure the learning outcomes are met. This hands-on experience provides a rich understanding of biodiversity, combining scientific investigation with a direct connection to nature. 

This module delves into the intricate relationship between developmental biology and evolution, examining how modifications in developmental processes drive evolutionary changes. You’ll explore the genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms that give rise to new traits and structures, shaping species adaptation and diversification.

Key topics include gene regulatory networks, developmental pathways, and evolutionary constraints, which will be studied to understand how they influence morphological variation across species and their effects on health. Through engaging case studies and cutting-edge research, the module bridges the divide between microevolutionary processes and macroevolutionary patterns, offering a deeper appreciation of the complexity of organismal form and evolution.

This module introduces you to the neurobiology of animal behaviour. Using an evolutionary framework, you will examine topics such as navigation, foraging, fear and threat avoidance, and interaction with conspecifics, including reproductive and parenting behaviours.

Practical classes will demonstrate the neurobiological basis of fundamental behaviours. Using examples across the animal kingdom, the module demonstrates how experimental, observational and modelling approaches integrate to explain how and why animals behave as they do.

This field course will introduce you to practical techniques in field biology, data analysis and presentation. You’ll use self-collected data to learn about key concepts in ecology such as species richness, ecological networks and species-area relationships.

You will learn about the forces determining the distribution and abundance of species and be able to use models to predict the dynamics of populations under a range of conditions. You will recognise how interactions between species can drive co-evolutionary processes leading to an understanding of the organisation of natural systems working systematically from populations through to communities, ecosystems and biogeographical scales.

This module explores the evolution of key plant systems through deep time, and the significance of this process for understanding modern ecology and food security. You will learn about the challenges that plants faced when moving onto land and evolutionary innovations within the early spermatophytes. You will also gain an understanding of the power of natural selection in producing plant diversity over deep time.

In this module, you’ll delve into the intricate cellular and molecular mechanisms that enable communication within the nervous system. You’ll gain a deep understanding of how neurons and glial cells work together to process and transmit biochemical signals, as well as how they interact with target tissues to regulate essential functions. 

Your studies will focus on the molecular and cellular levels, exploring intercellular and intracellular signalling along with the pathways and cascades involved. This detailed examination offers valuable insights into the fundamental processes that underpin nervous system communication, equipping you with a strong foundation in this essential area of neuroscience. 

This module explores the fascinating world of microorganisms, focusing on how bacteria, fungi, archaea, and viruses survive and thrive as the predominant biomass on Earth. You’ll examine key themes in microbiology, including the discovery and diversity of these organisms, their replication and survival mechanisms, and their ecological roles and interactions. Topics will also cover disease-causing processes such as antibiotic resistance, alongside the beneficial effects of microorganisms, like probiotics and gut microbiota, and their applications in technology and society.

A key feature of the module is its emphasis on experimental techniques, such as genomics, used to study these themes. You’ll also participate in a lab-based practical, applying your knowledge to a specific focus area. This hands-on approach will deepen your understanding of the complex and essential roles microorganisms play in the natural world.

In this module, you’ll examine the intricate connection between human nutrition and physiological function, building on the foundational knowledge from earlier studies. You’ll explore how nutrients shape metabolic processes, influence body systems, and contribute to overall health. This advanced exploration will deepen your understanding of how the body processes and responds to dietary intake and how specific nutrients impact physiological functions. 

You’ll also investigate the role of nutrition in managing health conditions and preventing disease, integrating key concepts from nutrition and physiology. By bridging these areas, the module equips you with the tools to support evidence-based approaches in health and wellness, providing a comprehensive insight into the science behind nutrition’s impact on the human body. 

This module provides a comprehensive understanding of the cellular (e.g. T cells, B cells) and molecular (e.g. innate immune signalling, antibody production) aspects of the immune system in health and disease.
 

You will learn about how specific aspects of microbial physiology and biochemistry impacts the immune response to infection. The mechanisms by which medically relevant pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses and fungi, are able to evade the immunological response will be explored, in addition to the development of non-infectious diseases resulting from immune dysregulation. 

In this module, you’ll delve into the development and organisation of the nervous system, examining its complexities through comparative studies of invertebrates and vertebrates. You’ll explore evolutionary concepts and analyse the nervous system at molecular, cellular, and organismal levels, gaining insights into how it develops, functions, and supports life. 

The module places a strong focus on the mammalian brain, offering a detailed understanding of its structure and function. Through this comprehensive exploration, you’ll uncover the intricate processes that shape the nervous system and its remarkable adaptations across different species. 

This module offers you a comprehensive introduction to modern biotechnology, covering foundational concepts and the tools used to address biological challenges. You’ll explore how biotechnology contributes to solutions for complex societal issues, including pandemics and vaccine production, biofuel development, food security, and the creation of therapeutics. Alongside this, you’ll engage in discussions about the ethical dilemmas that arise from the use of biotechnology in society.

Laboratory classes will give you hands-on experience in applying biotechnological concepts, reinforcing your understanding of core techniques. This practical approach, combined with in-depth exploration of biotechnology’s applications, equips you with valuable skills and insights into its pivotal role in tackling global challenges.

This module examines current debates and classic conundrums about evolution in the context of behaviour. It consists of a series of student-led presentations and discussion groups, supported by workshops. Example topics include: adaptation, sexual and asexual reproduction, sexual selection, kinship theory, communication, and human behavioural ecology. During the module we will develop your skills in understanding assessment criteria, presenting to an audience and writing and editing.

This module delves into the genetic, biochemical, and pathophysiological foundations of neurological disorders, shedding light on how dysfunction arises in the brain and nervous system. You’ll explore key topics such as neuron-glial cell interactions, neurotransmitter systems, synaptic plasticity, neuroinflammation, and blood-brain barrier dysregulation. Additional focus will be placed on molecular mechanisms like protein misfolding, cellular stress, and synaptic dysfunction that contribute to neurodegeneration.

The module also examines interdisciplinary fields like neuroimmunology and neuro-oncology, investigating immune interactions in autoimmune diseases and brain cancers. Emphasising real-world applications, it highlights how scientific discoveries drive advancements in diagnostic tools, innovative treatments, and improved patient outcomes. By understanding these complex mechanisms, you’ll appreciate the pivotal role of research in addressing neurological disorders and shaping healthcare.

In this module, you’ll explore the biological processes of ageing and disease, and their impacts on human physiology, disease, and frailty.

Delve into the molecular and cellular mechanisms of ageing and their effects on whole body function, with a focus on age-related diseases such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and liver diseases.

We’ll also investigate the interplay of nutrition and exercise in regulating human metabolism and mitigating disease risks. A key component examines the dual role of exercise and nutrition in influencing disease prevention and progression and serving as therapeutic interventions.

You’ll also have the opportunity to evaluate strategies to promote healthy ageing, and disease prevention and management.

In this module, you’ll examine the extensive ways human activities impact the environment and affect species health on a global scale. You’ll explore the distribution and biological effects of pollutants such as pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, and microplastics. The module also investigates how habitat loss and human-wildlife interactions influence pathogen transmission, gut microbiome dynamics, and parasitic infestations, offering insights into the ecological consequences of anthropogenic changes.

You’ll delve into additional topics like the effects of natural toxins, volatile compounds, and climate-driven habitat shifts. Through case studies and critical discussions, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of how human actions disrupt ecosystems and biological health, equipping you with the knowledge to address these pressing environmental challenges.

This module delves into the transformative intersection of biology, data science, and computational techniques, showcasing how big data is reshaping modern biological research. You’ll explore the principles of bioinformatics and computational biology, learning how to analyse large-scale biological datasets using cutting-edge tools and algorithms. Key topics include data mining, machine learning applications in biology, and effective data visualisation methods.

In addition, the module addresses the ethical considerations of working with biological data, fostering a critical understanding of this rapidly evolving field. By combining theoretical knowledge with practical applications, you’ll develop essential skills for navigating the complex world of biological big data.

This module explores advanced aspects of pathogen-host interactions, and how we can combat diseases through medical interventions.

You will learn the principles of vaccinology to prevent infection or disease and explore different therapies, including antibiotic alternatives, to treat bacterial infection.

We’ll deep dive into specific examples of pathogens from different groups of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa and/or fungi that pose a significant threat today will be considered alongside vaccines and therapies, including their limitations and potential new solutions.

This module explores the principles, applications and advancements in imaging technologies across biological and biomedical sciences. You’ll understand the theoretical knowledge and applications of imaging techniques used in research and industry. Emphasis is placed on critically evaluating the role of imaging in advancing our understanding of life sciences.

This module will bring students up to date with the latest technological developments in molecular biology. We will discuss the impact of these technologies on scientific research and development, examining how scientists use these technologies to answer complex problems in biomedical sciences. A focus throughout will be on how the methods are applied and how the resulting data are analysed and interpreted.

This module examines the transformative power of genomics and its real-world applications, from revolutionising medicine and disease tracking to advancing conservation and evolutionary biology. You’ll explore how genomic technologies offer insights into healthcare innovation and trace the origins of species, shedding light on processes such as adaptation, speciation, and their relevance to modern populations.

The module also highlights the pivotal role of genomics in conservation, showing how genetic data helps monitor biodiversity, protect endangered species, and support ecosystem restoration. By connecting these diverse topics, the module demonstrates how genomics addresses critical challenges in human health, environmental conservation, and industrial applications, providing a holistic view of its impact across multiple fields.

This module delves into advanced concepts of tumourigenesis and tumour progression, providing insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind tumour development. You’ll explore the multistep nature of tumour progression, its divergence from normal biological development, and key topics such as tumour immunology, tumour evolution, and the tumour microenvironment.

The module places a strong emphasis on cancer research, highlighting how understanding the fundamentals of cancer biology contributes to the creation of innovative therapies. You’ll also examine the biochemical foundations of cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, offering a comprehensive view of how cutting-edge science drives advancements in cancer care.

Consider a range of approaches to conservation biology, such as the measurement and monitoring of biodiversity, and the legal frameworks and management strategies that exist to protect it. You will discuss particular threats to biodiversity, such as habitat loss and invasive species. How do modern methods and molecular tools enable better conservation planning and delivery?

The processes of floral development and reproduction are some of the most critical stages occurring during plant growth and development. They are fundamental for plant breeding, crop productivity and horticulture. The significance of plant reproduction is particularly pertinent to issues of food security and the future development of high yielding crops. In this module, you’ll focus on recent developments that have been made in the understanding of floral development, reproduction and seed production, including the current goals, methods and achievements in the genetic engineering of crop and horticultural plants. With an emphasis on reproductive biology or fruit production, you’ll learn how such processes can be manipulated for commercial exploitation and to facilitate crop improvement. Through a mix of lectures and seminars, you’ll gain a detailed knowledge on the developmental and molecular processes associated with flowering, seed production and fruit development.

This module focusses on laboratory methods and ideas which are currently emerging in molecular biology. Students will be exposed to the mechanisms and methods that generate the data they go on to analyse. Assessment will include presentations and ongoing assessment.

10 credits in the Autumn Semester.

An advanced level biological experimental design and statistics course, building on what you learnt in previous years, this module will outline a range of statistical techniques that students are likely to encounter during their research projects.

We will discuss concepts in experimental design, biological probability, generalised linear modelling and multivariate statistics. We’ll also cover the most common experimental design problems faced by biologists.

Practical sessions will build on this conceptual outline, giving hands on experience of problem solving and analytical software, and some basic programming skills.

The objective is not to give detailed training in all techniques, but to provide a conceptual toolkit enabling students to develop solutions to a range of problems, and a basis from which to explore the relevant literature and software.

A consideration of science ‘as a process’, with brief introductions to the history, philosophy and sociological norms of science. You will cover aspects of the scientific literature and scientific communication, peer review, 'metrics’, including citation analysis, journal impact factors, and the 'h' and other indices of measuring scientists' performances. You will also cover ethics in science and the changing relationship between scientists, government and the public. You will have a three hour lecture once per week during this module.