Biology

Find out more about the Biology foundation subject on the UPC. Learn about what you will study, teaching methods, assessments and recommended reading.

Key information

Subject title: Biology

Subject type: optional

UPC pathway: UPCSE

Subject leader: Karen Keenan

Number of students (2023-24): 35

Subject description

In this subject, you will be introduced to the core principles of biology. It is a part of the Undergraduate Preparatory Certificate for Science and Engineering (UPCSE) pathway.

You will be taught a wide range of topics to give you a broad and in-depth understanding of the subject. You will also study how to interpret data and complete a variety of assessments throughout the international foundation year.

The course focuses on eight main topics:

Molecules and Cells

Molecules nucleic acids
Replication and protein synthesis
Enzymes
Cell structure and cell membrane
Cell organelles
Chromosome structure and mitosis
Recombinant DNA technology

Exchange and Transport

Movement of molecules
Gas exchange in plants and simple organisms
Gas exchange in mammals
Transport in mammals: blood
Transport in mammals: vessels
Transport in mammals: heart transport in plants
Transport of water through the plant
Translocation in plants

Ecology, Energy and the Environment

Autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition
Energy flow in the ecosystem
Food chains and food webs
Ecological pyramids
Recycling of nutrients
Population growth and control
Resource management and human influences

Metabolism, Respiration and Photosynthesis

The role of ATP in metabolism
Aerobic respiration
Anaerobic respiration and energy budgets
Photosynthesis
Biochemistry of the light dependent stage
Biochemistry of the light independent stage

Regulation and Control

Homeostasis
The kidney
Functioning of the kidney
Plant growth substances
Effect of light on plant growth
Nerves
Synapses
The central nervous system
Sensory receptors
The eye

Microbiology

Types of microorganisms
Growth and culture techniques
Fermentation
Pathogens and human disease
Protection against disease
Immunology
Applications and contemporary issues

Reproduction and Genetics

Pollination and fertilisation
Seed development and germination
Variation
Meiosis
Mendel’s laws
Deviations from Mendel’s laws and sex linkage
Mutations

Classification, Biodiversity and Evolution

Principles of taxonomy
Seven kingdom classification
Population genetics
Evolution and selection
Isolation and speciation
Biodiversity

The organisms used to illustrate these topic areas will include mammals, flowering plants and microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses.

How we teach Biology

You will have a mixture of lectures, tutorials and practical laboratory work. Alongside these sessions, we expect you to complete your own independent investigations.

To support your learning, the subject includes a five-night residential field trip to Somerset, England. You will also have educational visits to London Zoo, Down House (the home of Darwin) and the Natural History Museum. These experiences will allow students to understand the principles of biology first-hand.

Intended learning outcomes

By the end of the subject, you should be able to:

present your understanding of the principles of biology using a variety of media
use some sophisticated manual laboratory skills
interpret data relating to statistical analysis and graphical representations
evaluate data collection and manipulation processes
complete a wide range of assessments
develop excellent technical subject language and terminology

Overview of Summative Assessment

Term	Assessment	Weighting
One	Written Exam (2 hours 10 minutes)	10%
Two	Written Exam (2 hours 10 minutes)	10%
Three	Oral Exam (10 mins) Final Written Exam (3 hours 10 minutes)	50%
Throughout the year	Coursework	15%
	Practical Work	15%
		100% Total

Assessment weighting is for the 2023-24 academic year. This may change for 2024-25 entry.

Additional costs

Biology field trip contribution: approximately £100
(the contribution is subject to change based on the cost of the trip)

Subjects selection guide

Please check out our optional subject selection guide for information on suitable subjects for your future degree plans.

Please note the information on all the UPC subject pages, including this one, reflects the subject as it was taught in the 2023-24 academic year (unless otherwise stated).