Bachelor of Science (BSc)
BSc Microbiology with International Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½
Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ overseas for a year to improve your employability through our four-year course.
Duration: 4 years
Year of entry: 2027
UCAS course code: C509 / Institution code: M20
- Typical A-level offer: AAA-AAB including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: AAB-ABC including specific subjects
- UK refugee/care-experienced offer: ABB-ABC including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 35 points overall with 6, 6, 5 at higher level, including specific requirements
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Course unit details:
Biotic Interactions
| Unit code | BIOL31511 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 10 |
| Unit level | Level 3 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
| Offered by | School of Biological Sciences |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
Pre/co-requisites
| Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ecology and Conservation | EART25001 | Pre-Requisite | Recommended |
Aims
Learning outcomes
Students will be able to
• Understand biotic interactions as a central evolutionary force
• Dissect communication, signalling, manipulation and coevolution in biotic interactions
• Explain the relevance of biotic interactions for human health, conservation and sustainable agriculture
In addition, students will be able to evaluate and discuss original research; summarize and contextualise research articles for a non-specialist audience.
Syllabus
- Mutualism – Theories of mutualism evolution - Microbial communities in eukaryotic hosts - Insect endosymbionts - Mycorrhizal and rhizobial symbioses
- Plant as partners in biotic interactions: Plant/pollinator interactions; Herbivory: Seed predation and dispersal
- Competition - Predation - Modelling of population dynamics as influenced by biotic interactions (including one PC Cluster session)
- Parasitism and pathogenicity - Cross-kingdom comparison of parasitic/ pathogenic strategies for animal and plant hosts and of innate immunity
- Biotic interactions in agro-ecosystems: Invasive species
Employability skills
- Analytical skills
- The modelling lab session involves the exploration, analysis and interpretation of mathematical models of ecological processes. The synoptic essay requires the analysis of current research literature (not covered in the course) using key lecture concepts as a framework.
- Innovation/creativity
- Both of the smaller coursework options allow for creativity in style and expression.
- Oral communication
- Lectures encourage questions and discussions of key concepts in-class. Coursework option A is a screencast of a journal club style discussion of a research paper. This allows for engaging but professional delivery in a concise format.
- Research
- Lectures are largely based on current research. The synoptic essay requires a considerable amount of literature search, analysis and discussion.
- Written communication
- Coursework option B involves writing a short summary of high-impact research paper, loosely based on style of "News & Views" in the journal Nature. The writing style should be accessible for a non-specialist audience and summarize background, novel findings and wider relevance/impact. The synoptic essay requires expert-level communication of a topic chosen by the student from several options.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Other | 75% |
| Written assignment (inc essay) | 25% |
Synoptic Coursework Essay (75%).
Coursework option A: Screencast of a journal club-style discussion of a research paper (25%)
Coursework option B: ‘News and Views’ style research paper review (25%)
Feedback methods
Formative feedback is available for the smaller coursework formats.
Past exam and examiner report exemplar available.
Recommended reading
Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 18 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 82 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Thomas Nuhse | Unit coordinator |
Fees and funding
Additional expenses
The year studying abroad is an integral part of the course and must be completed. Some costs, such as tuition fees, are substantially lower. Other costs can vary and are not included in the tuition fee. For example, living costs may be higher or lower than the UK, and there are travel-related costs to consider, such as paying for a passport, visa fees, health insurance, and (if needed) vaccinations.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
Students participating in placements outside the UK may be able to apply for funding from the depending on eligibility. Priority will be given to students from low income households.
Regulated by the Office for Students
The University of Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the .
You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our .