Applied Sciences Foundation Year

You will get the opportunity to improve and practice key numeracy skills that will enable you to complete the tasks for the other modules you are studying during the foundation year. These will include calculations associated with experimental work in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, biomedical science, food science, nutrition, forensic science and sport science, such as making solutions of different concentrations using solid chemicals, preparing dilutions using stock solutions, serial dilutions, making buffers, calculating rates of reaction, equilibrium constants, enthalpies, interpreting outcomes of antibiotic sensitivity testing, processing histological, physiological and biometrics measurements, calculating biodiversity indices, etc.
You will also review your IT skills to ensure you can easily access the eLP, library and other on-line resources, including guidance on correct referencing of scientific literature. You will use Microsoft Excel to process data similar to those that you will acquire experimentally in other modules, do simple statistics and produce graphical representations and tables of your data.
You will learn about the style of scientific writing used in peer-reviewed publications and how to present scientific data in different formats, eg. scientific report using the IMRAD style, short summary, poster, oral presentation, mini-literature review, essay. You will also learn how to find relevant and reliable sources of information and you will practice extracting relevant details from such sources and presenting them in your own words.

You will learn and acquire key practical skills that are needed for subsequent study in your progression degree. You will learn techniques associated with the specialisms of Food Science and Nutrition, Biomedical Science, Chemistry, Forensic Science and Biology. You will learn how to use Excel spread-sheets to process experimentally acquired data and produce graphical representations of your results and you will learn how to present laboratory reports using the IMRAD style.

This module will teach you about important and inspirational areas of science, focusing on how chemistry and other sciences are embedded in the development of new technologies, medicines, materials and processes. The module is broken down into four main areas namely; Spectroscopy and Analysis; Drugs and Molecule, Material of the Future and Energy. Within each of these key areas you will learn about the fundamental science that underpins these important research areas, why these areas are so important to us all and how recent developments in these fields helped industry, research and understanding.

This module will teach you how to expand your scientific research, science communication and team work skills through the collaborative research and presentation of a scientific research project. Lectures and seminars will be delivered teaching you how to research a scientific subject, how to work as team in doing this and how to condense large amounts of information into a concise message. All of these are essential core skills for a career in science.

As Biology is the “Study of Life”, in this module we will explore different aspects of the living world around us. In the first teaching block, we will delve into evolution – how did all the different life forms we see around us come into being? How does evolution work? In order to study life, we need to have a good overview of what different life forms there are. This brings us into the realm of Biodiversity and Classification. We will give an overview of the different Kingdoms that dwell on Earth, and with whom we share this planet and are connected in multiple ways.
We then look inwards, and unravel the secrets of our genomes. Our genetic information is stored in our DNA – but how are genes organised, and how do they work? Can the study of genetics help us to understand the world in- and around us, can it help us to “improve” the world by genetic manipulation?
In the last teaching block, we focus on human beings, and explore aspects of our physiology and neurobiology. How does the human body function, how does our nervous system work?
Though the teaching is organised in three blocks (Evolution and Diversity, Genetics, Human Biology), this division is somewhat arbitrary as there are multiple links connecting these areas of study. “In the living nature, nothing happens that isn’t somehow connected to nature as a whole” (Goethe, 1749-1832) In this module, we will regularly explore these connections.

You will receive an introduction to basic biological concepts relating to the organisation of the human organism.
You will learn to describe the molecular, cellular (cytology) and tissue (histology) organisation of mammals, with particular emphasis on humans, and explain relationships between form and function at each level.
You will find out about the basic principles of genetics including the structure and role of DNA in transmission of heritable information and the principles of Mendelian inheritance.
You will begin to describe the biochemical characteristics of living organisms and explain how the human form is built up by the physical and chemical processes of digestion, absorption and assimilation of food and how energy is supplied at cellular level by respiration.
You will learn about the concept of transport in humans by investigating gaseous exchange and transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide round the body by the heart, lungs and vascular system.
You will receive an introduction to the defence functions of the blood and characteristics of mammalian vascular systems which are important in understanding and managing disease (blood pressure, heartbeat, white blood cells, phagocytes, antibody production, blood groups).
You will be introduced to aspects of co-ordination, response and control in the human organism with reference to the processes of homeostasis and the endocrine and nervous systems.

In this module you will develop an understanding of the fundamental principles underpinning the subject of chemistry. Through discussion of theory and engaging in practical experimentation you will improve your knowledge of the five core areas of chemistry:
1. Organic chemistry: where you will study atomic structure, bonding and reactivity of organic compounds.
2. Analytical chemistry: where you will study reactions to detect specific functional groups, alongside instrumental techniques such as mass spectrometry.
3. Molecular modeling: where you will study how to represent chemical structures using a computer, in addition to developing a better understanding of molecular geometry and isomerism
4. Inorganic chemistry: where you will study the structure and properties of metals and their complexes.
5. Physical chemistry: where you will study factors affecting the rate and progress of chemical reactions.
You will also spend time developing chemistry-focussed laboratory skills including considering the implications of risk management and safety, which is a critical skill for all practising chemists.

You will learn about the biological basis of food and nutrition and will be introduced to a range of elements and compounds which are essential for life. The principles of healthy eating based on UK guidelines and the role of food in maintaining health including the role of microbiota will be explored whilst providing an understanding of the nutritional needs of a population. You will explore through lectures and laboratory practicals some important aspects of food microbiology, food processing, preservation and brewing.

You will experience the forensic application of science to crime investigation. This module will enable you to understand how your scientific thinking and practical laboratory skills can be deployed in a real world context. You will cover how forensic science is utilised to assist a crime investigation, following a case specific example to illustrate key points along the investigation process. You will further develop your microscopy and pipette skills through laboratory practicals designed around the recovery, examination and analysis of forensic material of relevance to a particular case. Your attention to detail, precision and inquisitive mind will be core skills covered during the laboratory practical.

You will also explore how science is communicated to others. Forensic scientists have a high level of scientific understanding that underpins the forensic evidence that they give in a statement or court room. However, the audience - police, jury - aren't expected to have any scientific knowledge or experience but do need to understand how the scientific forensic evidence assists a crime investigation. This requires the forensic scientists to 'translate' complex information and relay it to others at a level that they can confidentally understand it. You will work together with colleagues in small groups to prepare a poster, conveying complex scientific information to a non-scientific audience.

Your involvement in this module will help you learn what it is to be a professional scientist, understanding the importance of observations, attention to detail and clear communication. These are key transferable skills for those in the scientific profession and are directly applicable to all of the degree programmes that you could progress onto after successful study of your foundation year.