Microbiology BSc (Hons) - 2025/6

Awarding body

University of Surrey

Teaching institute

University of Surrey

Framework

FHEQ Level 6

Final award and programme/pathway title

BSc (Hons) Microbiology

Subsidiary award(s)

Award Title
Ord Biosciences
DipHE Biosciences
CertHE Biosciences

Professional recognition

Royal Society of Biology
Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting, in part, the academic and experience requirement of membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol).

Modes of study

Route code Credits and ECTS Credits
Full-time UCG10001 360 credits and 180 ECTS credits
Full-time with PTY UCG10015 480 credits and 240 ECTS credits

QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)

Biosciences

Other internal and / or external reference points

N/A

Faculty and Department / School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences - School of Biosciences

Programme Leader

BROADBENT Lindsay (Biosciences)

Date of production/revision of spec

15/11/2024

Educational aims of the programme

  • To provide a high quality education in the various aspects of microbiology for students with diverse interests and career aspirations (e.g. pharmaceutical / industrial research, scientific writer/editor, medical studies, MSc / PhD).
  • To further the students' knowledge of the fundamental principles of microbiology and to develop a deeper knowledge in specific areas of microbiology.
  • To provide the appropriate environment to encourage the development of the students interest in microbiology and to help them acquire appropriate intellectual, scientific, technical and key transferable skills to promote self-directed and life-long learning.

Programme learning outcomes

Attributes Developed Awards Ref.
An understanding of laboratory-based investigations in microbiology applicable to studying microbial involvement in health, disease, and biotechnology. K DipHE
An understanding of the basic principles of microbiology and the application of these to the understanding and solution of a range of scientific and academic problems K CertHE
A good breadth of knowledge in the field of microbiology in general and a good depth of knowledge in the specialist fields (Medical, Biotechnology, Food Science) as defined in these specifications and the subject bench marking statements K BSc (Hons)
Evaluate research findings and scientific literature and demonstrate the ability to find and evaluate appropriate sources of material and to critically assess it. C BSc (Hons)
Demonstrate an understanding of research design and planning and the limits of scientific findings. C BSc (Hons)
Develop basic and advanced laboratory skills relevant to microbiology. PT BSc (Hons)
Interpret quantitative and qualitative data, using advanced numerical and statistical skills PT BSc (Hons)
Work effectively and take responsibility for planning and organisation of work both their own (independently) and in a team or small group towards a common goal. PT BSc (Hons)
Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively by oral, written and visual means T BSc (Hons)
Use Information Technology e.g. WWW, Virtual Learning Resources, word processors and statistics packages. T BSc (Hons)
An understanding of laboratory-based investigations in bioscience applicable to studying microbiology K Ord
An understanding of the basic principles of microbiology and the application of these to the understanding and solution of a range of scientific and academic problems. K Ord
A good breadth of knowledge in the field of bioscience in general and a good depth of knowledge in the context of medical aspects as defined in these specifications and the subject bench marking statements K Ord
Evaluate research findings and scientific literature and demonstrate the ability to find and evaluate appropriate sources of material and to critically assess it C Ord
Understand key principles of research design and planning and the limits of scientific findings C Ord
Learn basic laboratory skills relevant to microbiology P Ord
Interpret quantitative and qualitative data, using basic numerical and statistical skills PT Ord
Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively by oral, written and visual means. T Ord
Work effectively and take responsibility for planning and organisation of work both their own (independently) and in a team or small group towards a common goal. T Ord
Use Information Technology e.g. WWW, Virtual Learning Resources, word processors and statistics packages. T Ord
An understanding of the basic principles of microbiology and the application of these to the understanding and solution of a range of scientific and academic problems. K DipHE
A good breadth of knowledge in the field of bioscience in general and a good depth of knowledge in the context of medical aspects as defined in these specifications and the subject bench marking statements. K DipHE
Understand research findings and scientific literature and demonstrate the ability to find and evaluate appropriate sources of material and to critically assess it C DipHE
Learn basic laboratory skills relevant to microbiology. P DipHE
Interpret quantitative and qualitative data. P DipHE
Planning and organise indendently their work contribute to effective working as part of a team/small groups on a given project or task. PT DipHE
Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively by oral, written and visual means T DipHE

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Programme structure

Full-time

This Bachelor's Degree (Honours) programme is studied full-time over three academic years, consisting of 360 credits (120 credits at FHEQ levels 4, 5 and 6). All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)

Full-time with PTY

This Bachelor's Degree (Honours) programme is studied full-time over four academic years, consisting of 480 credits (120 credits at FHEQ levels 4, 5, 6 and the optional professional training year). All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)

Programme Adjustments (if applicable)

N/A

Modules

Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4

Module code Module title Status Credits Semester
BMS1025 CELL BIOLOGY Compulsory 15 1
BMS1026 MICROBIOLOGY: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE MICROBIAL WORLD Compulsory 15 1
BMS1029 CURRENT TOPICS IN BIOSCIENCES Compulsory 15 1
BMS1032 INTRODUCTION TO PRINCIPLES OF PHYSIOLOGY AND PRACTICAL SKILLS Compulsory 15 2
BMS1035 PRACTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL BACTERIOLOGY Compulsory 15 2
BMS1041 BIOCHEMISTRY - A CONCEPTUAL OVERVIEW Compulsory 15 2
BMS1047 MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS - GENES AND THEIR FUNCTION Compulsory 15 2
BMS1049 BIOCHEMISTRY: THE MOLECULES OF LIFE Compulsory 15 1

Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5

Module code Module title Status Credits Semester
BMS2035 BIOCHEMISTRY - ENZYMES AND METABOLISM Optional 15 1
BMS2036 MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS: FROM GENES TO BIOLOGICAL FUNCTION Compulsory 15 1
BMS2038 INTEGRATION OF PHYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS Optional 15 1
BMS2041 FOOD MICROBIOLOGY Compulsory 15 1
BMS2043 ANALYTICAL AND CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY Optional 15 2
BMS2044 MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES AND INTERACTIONS Compulsory 15 2
BMS2045 INTRODUCTION TO IMMUNOLOGY Compulsory 15 2
BMS2046 PATHOLOGY AND MEDICINE Compulsory 15 2
BMS2053 FOOD ANALYSIS AND QUALITY CONTROL Optional 15 2
BMS2085 MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY Compulsory 15 1

Module Selection for Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5

L5 semester 1: 3 compulsory modules and a choice of 1 from 2 optional modules.
L5 semester 2: 3 compulsory and a choice of 1 from 2 optional modules.

Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6

Module code Module title Status Credits Semester
BMS3048 RESEARCH PROJECT Core 30 Year-long
BMS3054 CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY AND IMMUNOHAEMATOLOGY Optional 15 1
BMS3060 BIOMEDICAL MICROBIAL PRODUCTS Optional 15 1
BMS3063 CANCER - PATHOGENESIS AND THERAPEUTICS Compulsory 15 2
BMS3073 EPIDEMIOLOGY OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES Compulsory 15 2
BMS3074 ANIMAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES Compulsory 15 2
BMS3079 HUMAN MICROBIAL DISEASES Compulsory 15 1
BMS3112 SYSTEMS BIOLOGY FOR HEALTH AND DISEASE Optional 15 1

Module Selection for Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6

L6 semester 1: 1 compulsory and a choice of 2 from 3 optional modules
L6 semester 2: 3 compulsory modules

Year 1 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 4

Module code Module title Status Credits Semester
BMS1029 CURRENT TOPICS IN BIOSCIENCES Compulsory 15 1
BMS1025 CELL BIOLOGY Compulsory 15 1
BMS1026 MICROBIOLOGY: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE MICROBIAL WORLD Compulsory 15 1
BMS1032 INTRODUCTION TO PRINCIPLES OF PHYSIOLOGY AND PRACTICAL SKILLS Compulsory 15 2
BMS1035 PRACTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL BACTERIOLOGY Compulsory 15 2
BMS1041 BIOCHEMISTRY - A CONCEPTUAL OVERVIEW Compulsory 15 2
BMS1047 MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS - GENES AND THEIR FUNCTION Compulsory 15 2
BMS1049 BIOCHEMISTRY: THE MOLECULES OF LIFE Compulsory 15 1

Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5

Module code Module title Status Credits Semester
BMS2035 BIOCHEMISTRY - ENZYMES AND METABOLISM Optional 15 1
BMS2036 MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS: FROM GENES TO BIOLOGICAL FUNCTION Compulsory 15 1
BMS2038 INTEGRATION OF PHYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS Optional 15 1
BMS2041 FOOD MICROBIOLOGY Compulsory 15 1
BMS2043 ANALYTICAL AND CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY Optional 15 2
BMS2044 MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES AND INTERACTIONS Compulsory 15 2
BMS2045 INTRODUCTION TO IMMUNOLOGY Compulsory 15 2
BMS2046 PATHOLOGY AND MEDICINE Compulsory 15 2
BMS2053 FOOD ANALYSIS AND QUALITY CONTROL Optional 15 2
BMS2085 MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY Compulsory 15 1

Module Selection for Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5

L5 semester 1: 3 compulsory modules and a choice of 1 from 2 optional modules.
L5 semester 2: 3 compulsory and a choice of 1 from 2 optional modules.

Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6

Module code Module title Status Credits Semester
BMS3048 RESEARCH PROJECT Core 30 Year-long
BMS3054 CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY AND IMMUNOHAEMATOLOGY Optional 15 1
BMS3060 BIOMEDICAL MICROBIAL PRODUCTS Optional 15 1
BMS3063 CANCER - PATHOGENESIS AND THERAPEUTICS Compulsory 15 2
BMS3073 EPIDEMIOLOGY OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES Compulsory 15 2
BMS3074 ANIMAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES Compulsory 15 2
BMS3079 HUMAN MICROBIAL DISEASES Compulsory 15 1
BMS3112 SYSTEMS BIOLOGY FOR HEALTH AND DISEASE Optional 15 1

Module Selection for Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6

L6 semester 1: 1 compulsory and a choice of 2 from 3 optional modules
L6 semester 2: 3 compulsory modules

Professional Training Year (PTY) -

Module code Module title Status Credits Semester
BMSP007 PROFESSIONAL TRAINING YEAR MODULE (FULL-YEAR WORK) Core 120 Year-long

Module Selection for Professional Training Year (PTY) -

N/A

Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity

Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics Y
Professional Training Year (PTY) Y
Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) N
Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) N
Study exchange (Level 5) N
Dual degree N

Quality assurance

The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/quality-enhancement-standards

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.