Science (Foundation Degree) - 2013/2014 entry
Equip yourself with the knowledge and skills you will need to tackle the key scientific issues of the day, while gaining key practical and transferable skills required by employers. Get a solid foundation in the cellular and molecular biosciences, with a thorough grounding in essential topics and concepts, and choose to specialise in either Biomedicine, or Chemical and Molecular Biology.You could then go straight into Birkbeck’s four-year BSc biology degrees.
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Course structure
In the first year, you will take two modules (30 credits in total) in the spring and summer terms only (starting in January). Thereafter, you take three modules per year, across the entire academic year (starting in October, ending in early July), with 120 credits in year 2 and 90 credits in year 3.
Year 1
- Introductions: Studying Science (15 credits)
- Physical, Chemical and Life Processes (15 credits).
Year 2
- Chemistry for the Biosciences (30 credits)
- Molecules, Cells and Organisms (60 credits)
- Practical Skills for the Biosciences (30 credits).
Year 3
Take three modules (90 credits) in total, according to your chosen pathway.
Students on the Biomedicine pathway take:
- Molecular Biology and Human Genetics (30 credits)
- Bioscience in Practice (30 credits) [title to be confirmed].
- Human Physiology (30 credits).
Students on the Chemical and Molecular Biology students take:
- Molecular Biology and Human Genetics (30 credits)
- Bioscience in Practice (30 credits) [title to be confirmed].
- Biomolecular Chemistry (30 credits) [title to be confirmed].
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Study resources
All modules have online support via our online learning environment.
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Further study opportunities
The Foundation Degree in Science (FD) can provide access to Birkbeck's BSc Biomedicine or BSc Chemical and Molecular Biology. Based on a review of your performance in years one and two of the FD, we may invite you to bypass the third year of the FD and move directly to the second year of a BSc. Alternatively, on successful completion of the FD, we would invite you to undertake a one-year bridging course; successful completion of this would permit direct entry onto the relevant BSc. You then could complete the BSc over two years of additional study.
On application to University College London (UCL) Medical School, students graduating with at least 70% overall from the Foundation Degree in Science will be eligible for special consideration.
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Careers information
Graduates go on to careers in the health sector, in the pharmaceutical industry, in manufacturing, in environmental organisations and in science communication.
- To speak to an independent careers advisor, booking onto one of our Future Focus — Careers Workshops
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Further details
On successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
- demonstrate subject-specific knowledge within key areas of: biochemistry and molecular biology; cell biology; genetics; human systems physiology (for the Biomedicine pathway); organic and physical chemistry (for the Chemical and Molecular Biology pathway)
- apply basic laboratory and quantitative skills in solving scientific problems
- collect, analyse, interpret and report scientific data
- use databases and information systems to find scientific data and literature
- apply scientific literacy in continuing your education in the biosciences.
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Apply now
- Application deadlines and interviews
- Interviews are held from April onwards.
- We recommend you apply as early as possible. Later applications may also be considered, subject to availability of places.
- Online application
You can apply online from the link below. - Our Application Workshop will give you an overview of what Birkbeck looks for in an undergraduate degree application and includes practical writing exercises to help you write a more effective personal statement
- Application deadlines and interviews
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Key information set
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Welcome to Birkbeck, London's evening university: Number 1 in London for teaching and student satisfaction (National Student Survey 2012).
Birkbeck specialises in part-time, evening study. The Key Information Set has been developed for full-time, daytime courses. We are providing some additional information about our evening courses to help you make an informed choice.
Fees:
The Key Information Set (KIS) for this degree course shows the annual fee for a 3-year, full-time degree. This is a 4-year, part-time evening degree and the annual fee is lower than the fee shown in the KIS. See 'Fees and funding' in the left hand menu for the correct fee for this course.
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