BS418-6-SU-CO:
Issues in Biomolecular Science (Assessed in Following Year)
2023/24
Life Sciences (School of)
Colchester Campus
Summer
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Monday 22 April 2024
Friday 28 June 2024
0
19 February 2024
Requisites for this module
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BSC C100 Biological Sciences,
BSC C101 Biological Sciences (Including Year Abroad),
BSC C102 Biological Sciences (Including Placement Year),
BSC CD00 Biological Sciences (Including Foundation Year)
The theme of the module is the impact of modern life sciences upon society.
No information available.
No information available.
This is a bridging module for the students that do not choose the Estuarine and Coastal Ecology Field Module which becomes the Issues in Biomolecular Science module in Year 3.
The module will integrate, within a wider ethical framework, information covering topics that include:
- Human organ transplantation.
- Drug enhancement of cognitive performance.
- Sequencing of the human genome.
- Antibiotic resistance.
- Animal experimentation.
- Ethics of stem cell research.
- Patents and the commercialization of research.
- Future challenges in agriculture: food and fuel supply.
In the past 20 years, bBiology has had a major impact upon society. For example advances in DNA technology cloning have resulted in transgenic crops that are already a part of the human diet, and form an increasing percentage of worldwide production. The prospect of cloning animals has raised serious ethical concerns, and some argue that this may open the door to a form of human eugenics. We now possess a complete map of the human genome. Ageing research may lead to lifespans of well over a century or to an unwanted prolongation of life.
What will be the impact of this knowledge? What legislation will be necessary to control the way science could manipulate life? Who will make the decisions? Scientists or politicians? These are some of the questions addressed by this module.
The structure of this module is a departure from the traditional series of lectures to which you have been accustomed. Some sessions will depend upon your active participation and extensive background reading is required. You will survey in detail two separate topics then write an essay based on one and give an oral presentation based on the other.
This module is assessed in the following year.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
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Coursework weighting |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Contact your department for more information.
Reassessment
Contact your department for more information.
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Aurelie Villedieu, email: a.villedieu@essex.ac.uk.
School Undergraduate Office, email: bsugoffice (Non essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create the full email address)
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Dr Thomas Clarke
University of East Anglia
Senior lecturer/associate professor
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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