BSc (Hons) Human Biology with Foundation Year

This module provides you with an overview of key concepts in cell biology and physiology, including the chemical basis of the biosciences. Throughout the module you will gain an understanding of the basic concepts of cell biology and chemistry for the natural sciences, as well as the basic concepts of physiology and homeostasis, with reference to specific physiological processes and examples of module content in nature.

This module introduces students to the fundamental principles of evolution, behaviour, and anatomy, and explores how anatomical structures and behaviours contribute to survival and reproduction.

This module provides you with a broad overview of the diverse range of disciplines comprising ecology and environmental science including an understanding of adaptations of organisms to their environments, community ecology, the earth’s natural systems. You will study the global environment and characterisation of the Earth’s main biomes.

This module provides a multi-disciplinary approach to learning about the past, present, and future environmental conditions that shape the natural world, including human life.

Students will first explore Earth’s ancient environments, the development of life and become acquainted with the concept of evolution.

The bulk of the module will focus on contemporary issues and challenges. It will cover various impacts on ecosystems and students will examine the concept of sustainability. They will get an overview of current technological tools advancing scientific investigations across various disciplines, including the use of DNA in modern science. Current challenges for both human and animal populations will be explored, with emphasis on potential solutions and management scenarios

Finally, students will reflect on the potential scientific challenges that may arise as the world changes.

The aim of this module is to acquire and demonstrate theoretical and practical knowledge of laboratory and field- based methods in modern biology, covering basic laboratory and field equipment, ethics and safe working practices. You will acquire and develop fundamental research and transferable skills, which you will apply and train further throughout the degree and in your future career.

This module explains fundamental principles in evolution from a genetics/genomics perspective in order to explain the diversity of life, and how interactions between genes and environment result in different phenotypes. The fundamental principles of genetics and evolutionary biology will be taught with specific examples relevant to each programme cohort, and emphasis on the applications of genetics within the scientific disciplines of each programme cohort.

This module introduces the study of the diversity of organism form, function, and behaviour, by exploring how we investigate organisms through observation, data analysis, and modern research technologies, and how findings are evaluated and communicated to different audiences in both academic and career contexts.

The module will help you develop knowledge of the importance of nutrition to human health introducing the subject of nutritional recommendations in terms of energy and nutrients. You will gain an overview of the chemistry, function and properties of nutrients and the consequences of inadequate intakes.

This module aims to provide a broad spectrum of knowledge about microorganisms and their activities, which will provide a foundation for microbiology-related modules at levels 5 and 6.

This module will introduce you to both the structural organisation of the human body and how it is controlled.

This module covers all aspects of handling and analysing scientific data and the development of employability/graduate skills. It also provides opportunities for students to co-create questions and datasets for analysis in class. You will consider the fundamentals of analysing and interpreting scientific data using examples relevant to all biosciences. Additionally, it will allow you to prepare a better career plan in science, as well as becoming self-aware of your employability skills.

This module enables you to study how state-of-the-art genetic and genomic tools are used to understand how genes combine with the environment to control organismal phenotypes and disease states. It covers methodologies, practical applications and recent examples of the application of genetics and genomics in the fields of biology, medicine and evolution.

This module will provide a deeper knowledge of physiology and apply that knowledge to real-world settings. This module builds upon the concepts learnt in level 4, developing knowledge of physiology, with special emphasis on mammalian and human physiology.

Through this module, students will understand the biological processes involved in ageing, and how those are different from the pathophysiological changes that result in increased vulnerability to disease and death. They will learn about how longer life expectancy in humans results in ageing populations, and the impact this has on societies, and why this poses a key global challenge in the 21st century. Finally, during practical and theoretical sessions and independent work, students will explore how the ageing process can be manipulated to modify life span, and how age-related diseases can be managed, critically evaluating the challenges associated with the development of treatments and therapies. 

This module provides an introduction to the development and anatomy of the bones of the human skeleton with a view to identify human bones and teeth, their significance within the body, the landmarks and measurements used in the field of biological anthropology.

The aim of this module is to provide knowledge and understanding of the global food supply chain and its impact on food choice, nutrition, health and the environment. The module introduces the main staple foods and food commodities; an overview of the structure of global food supply chain (including primary production, food processing and manufacturing, food distribution and food retail); an understanding of the political and ethical issues of food production and supply; as well as issues associated with food sustainability.

This module aims to provide an understanding of the technology, techniques and processes involved in turning raw materials into safe nutritious foods. The module will focus on technological advancements in the industry to help improve the nutritional quality of foods. The module will provide you with an understanding of food production and manufacturing techniques and will discuss selection, production, processing, preservation, packaging, labelling, waste management and quality management of safe nutritious food. Workshop sessions will provide opportunities for the practical exploration of food technologies. The combination of theory and practice will promote the development of both theoretical and practical skills.

This module builds upon the Physiological Response to Acute Exercise, Biochemistry and Metabolism and Principles of Human Nutrition modules. The physiological, metabolic and nutritional knowledge gained from these modules will provide you with a good foundation to integrate the biological with new material on the psychosocial aspects of eating behaviour. The aims are to comprehend the interdisciplinary nature of eating and appetite behaviour, incorporating physiological/molecular and psychosocial models to understand how eating behaviour may affect individuals or society relationships with food; to discuss the consequential health implications of dysfunctional eating; to demonstrate a knowledge of how health professionals may treat dysfunctional relationships with food/diet.

This module provides an introduction to the theoretical and practical concepts of medical microbiology and immunology. It will also provide an understanding of the principles and practices involved in the laboratory diagnosis, prevention and treatment of infectious diseases in humans.

This module enables you to learn how state-of-the-art molecular and genetic tools are used to understand mechanisms that regulate the growth and development of organisms. It covers methodology and practical experiments that illuminate the molecular mechanisms that underpin developmental processes.

The aim is to provide students with an extended period of work experience at an approved partner that will complement their programme of study at LJMU. This will give students the opportunity to develop professional skills relevant to their programme of study as well as the attitude and behaviours necessary for employment in a diverse and changing environment. This extended placement forms a key part of a sandwich degree. All placements need to be assessed and approved prior to commencement in line with the LJMU Placement Learning Code of Practice. The Code of Practice requires students to conduct themselves in a professional and responsible manner during the placement - failure to do so may lead to the placement being terminated prematurely. Placements are normally for one calendar year on a full-time basis. Split placements of a shorter duration may be permissible. There is an expectation that a minimum of 1200 hours will be spent in the workplace.

The aim is to provide students with a semester of study at an approved overseas partner that will replace one semester of their LJMU programme at level 5.This is a semester of full-time study at an approved higher education institution which will replace one semester of level 5 study at LJMU. The modules to be studied must be agreed in advance, and must be an appropriate substitute for the modules being replaced. Assuming successful completion of this semester, mark-bearing credit will be awarded by the University Recognition Group. The grade conversion scale to be used will be made available in advance of the semester abroad.

The aim is to provide students with an additional year of study at an approved overseas partner that will complement their programme at LJMU. This is an additional year of full-time study at an approved higher education institution. The modules to be studied must be agreed in advance, and must be appropriate for the student's programme of study. Assuming successful completion of this year, mark-bearing credit will be awarded by the University Recognition Group. The grade conversion scale to be used will be made available in advance of the year abroad.

The research project will be in any area appropriate to your programme of study on a topic of your choice. The module provides an opportunity for you to independently develop and demonstrate project planning, time-management and organisational inter-personal skills, along with scientific and practical working methods in a research or applied context.

The aim of this module is to provide an understanding of public health issues and a diverse range of health and disease states at the cellular, molecular, and organismal levels. This will include zoonotic diseases, nutritional and metabolic disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, and cancer. Contemporary issues in health and disease will be examined, and skills required in laboratory, clinical, and diagnostic settings will be developed.

In this module, teaching will occur through lectures, practical sessions and workshops.  Laboratory experiments and computational analysis will take place in wet and dry laboratories as appropriate. Theory sessions will take place in the lecture theatre or classroom, and these will be followed by practical and/or workshop sessions. 

This module aims to provide an understanding of the nutritional requirements of population groups throughout the life-course, considering the nutritional needs of mothers and infants; children and adolescents; adults and the ageing population; as well as the nutritional concerns and priorities for other groups such as vegetarians/vegans; poverty and different cultures. The module will also discuss the major diet-related diseases and enable students to demonstrate an understanding of the evidence linking diet to disease and health.  Students will also have the opportunity to enhance their practical techniques of nutritional assessment and will undertake workshops and assessment involving effective science communication to specialist populations.

This module provides you with an appreciation of some modern genetic and genomic techniques that are regularly used in many studies. It is recommended that students complete the level 5 module Genes and Genomes before taking this module.

This module enables you to study the biology, diagnosis, treatment and control of some of important parasitic and infectious diseases.

This comparative module covers how the endocrine and nervous systems work together to control health and disease. Combining problem-based learning and practical sessions, you will cover topics such as sexual differentiation, sleep, stress, depression and the long-term endocrine changes caused by psychoactive substances.

In this module, your education continues in the field of immunology and microbiology as we now focus the knowledge gained at level 4 and 5 onto the clinical aspects of disease.

This module builds on neurobiology-related concepts taught during the level 5 Physiology of Life module. The module provides you with an insight into how molecular, cellular and organ components contribute to form the body's most complex system and how different factors can produce dysregulation of the nervous system.

This module provides relevant, stimulating and career-orientated experiential learning to encourage you to develop transferable skills relevant to the work environment and to foster initiative and independence of thought.