School of Biological Sciences Programme Guide for Year 1 Students 2021/2022
Produced by
The Biology Teaching Organisation [email protected]
www.ed.ac.uk/biology/current-students/undergraduate
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Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure the contents of this booklet are accurate at the time of publication. Unforeseen circumstances may necessitate changes to the procedures, curricula and syllabuses described. The Biology Teaching Organisation undertakes to operate within the rules and regulations as set out in the University Calendar and the Taught Assessment Regulations. It will also honour undertakings made in writing to individual classes, insofar as these do not conflict with the University’s regulations.
This guide is produced by the Biology Teaching Organisation (BTO) to provide guidance for students enrolled for Biological Sciences degrees.
If you require this document in an alternative format, such as larger font or a coloured background, contact [email protected]
Students are required to update their contact details on the student record system via the MyEd Student Self-Service channel. Guidance on this channel (and other useful channels in MyEd):
www.ed.ac.uk/student-systems/support-guidance/students
BTO website:
www.ed.ac.uk/biology/current-students/undergraduate
To request a change to a tutorial/practical/workshop group, use the Group Change Request form:
www.ed.ac.uk/timetabling-examinations/timetabling/personalised- timetables
Ensure that you select the School that delivers the course and choose
the correct course name.
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Biology Teaching Organisation (BTO) [email protected]
0131 650 8649
www.ed.ac.uk/biology/current-students/undergraduate JCMB Room 2105 or Ashworth Room 52, Kings Buildings
BTO Reception [email protected] 0131 650 8649
Teaching Administrators Ms Zofia Bekas (JCMB) 0131 650 5513 Dr Edward Dewhirst (JCMB) 0131 651 7376 Ms Janna James (JCMB) 0131 650 8649 Ms Rachel Law (Ashworth) 0131 651 3689 Mr Tim MacDonald (Ashworth) 0131 651 7296 Ms Louise Robertson (JCMB) 0131 650 5988 Ms Karen Sutherland (JCMB) 0131 651 3404 Mrs Carolyn Wilson (JCMB) 0131 650 8651 Miss Donna Wright (JCMB) 0131 651 7051 Director of Teaching Dr Patrick Walsh 0131 650 5520
Academic Administrator Dr Ann Haley 0131 650 5538
Senior Academic Tutor Dr Nadia Tuzi 0131 650 8652
Student Support Tutor Dr Abigail Cabrelli 0131 650 5887 Student Support Tutor Dr Hazel Cruickshanks 0131 650 5887 Student Support Tutor Dr John Curtis 0131 650 8654 Student Support Tutor Dr David Radford 0131 650 5723
Senior Tutor Prof Justin Goodrich 0131 650 7032
UG Manager Dr Caroline Aspinwall (JCMB) 0131 650 5521 UG Recruitment Officer Ms Rona Lindsay (JCMB) 0131 650 5528 Student Experience Admin Ms Gillian MacDonald (JCMB) 0131 650 5510 Project Enhancement Officer Mrs Louise Hann (JCMB) 0131 650 7481
PGT Manager Mrs Claire Black (JCMB) 0131 650 8637
Taught Prog Marketing Officer Ms Andrea Nichol (JCMB) 0131 650 8643 Technical Support Manager Dr David Hills (JCMB) 0131 650 7196 E-Learning Support Mr David Barrass 0131 651 7090
Dr Linda Hu 0131 651 7090
Biomedical Teaching Organisation (BMTO) [email protected]
0131 650 3160
www.ed.ac.uk/biomedical-sciences/bmto/contact Geosciences Teaching Organisation (GTO)
[email protected] 0131 651 7068
www.ed.ac.uk/geosciences/about/contact-us
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Contents
Introduction ... 6
The BTO ... 6
Learn site for our Year 1 Students ... 6
Welcome from the Director of Teaching ... 7
SECTION 1 - GETTING TO KNOW THE UNIVERSITY ... 8
University structure... 8
Semesters ... 8
Lecture times ... 8
Examinations ... 9
Resits ... 9
Your degree programme ... 9
Qualifications ... 10
Personal Tutor ... 10
Enrolment in the University ... 10
Contact details ... 11
SECTION 2 - THE YEAR 1 PROGRAMME ... 12
Year 1 curriculum ... 13
Credits and workload ... 14
Aims and learning objectives in Year 1 ... 15
Direct Entry into Year 2 ... 15
Courses offered by the School of Biological Sciences ... 16
Origin and Diversity of Life 1 (BILG08001) - Compulsory ... 16
Quantitative Skills for Biologists 1 (BILG08019) ... 17
Biology, Ecology and Environment 1 (BILG08017) ... 17
Molecules, Genes and Cells 1 (BILG08015) - Compulsory ... 18
Biological Chemistry courses for Biological Sciences students ... 19
Biological Chemistry 1A (CHEM08022) ... 19
Biological Chemistry 1B (CHEM08023) ... 19
Courses offered by the Deanery of Biomedical Sciences... 20
Our Changing World (BIME08006) ... 20
Medical Biology 1 (BIME08004) ... 20
Courses offered by the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences ... 21
Psychology 1A (PSYL08009) ... 21
Psychology 1B (PSYL08010) ... 21
Language courses for non-linguists... 21
Courses offered by the Business School ... 22
Global Challenges for Business (BUST08035) ... 22
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The Business of Edinburgh (BUST08036) ... 22
Residential and Field Courses in Biological Subjects ... 23
Field Ecology (ECSC08007) run by Geosciences ... 23
Expeditions, fieldwork and lab experience in vacations ... 23
SECTION 3 - CURRICULUM INFORMATION ... 24
Timetables ... 24
Changing groups ... 24
Changing courses in Year 1 ... 24
Choosing your courses for Year 2 ... 25
Engagement with studies ... 25
Absences, late penalties, extensions and Special Circumstances ... 25
Learning and Teaching Strategy ... 25
Assessment ... 26
Academic Misconduct ... 27
Assessment Regulations ... 27
Study skills ... 27
Appeals procedure... 27
Common marking scheme ... 28
Academic Progression in Years 1 and 2 ... 29
Overseas exchanges ... 29
Student representatives ... 30
SECTION 4 - GENERAL INFORMATION AND SERVICES ... 31
Information Services... 31
University systems ... 31
Learn ... 31
Email ... 31
Sources of help ... 32
Personal Tutor ... 32
BTO Student Support Team ... 32
BMTO Academic Support ... 33
Demonstrators ... 33
Student Counselling ... 33
Part-time jobs ... 33
Societies ... 34
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Introduction
Welcome to the University of Edinburgh. We hope that you will have an enriching and enjoyable experience here that will prepare you for a successful future.
This Programme Guide for Year 1 Students provides the information you will need to choose your courses and plan your curriculum, with the assistance of your Personal Tutor.
This guide should be read in conjunction with the Essential Information for Biological Science Students guide, available on the BTO website.
The BTO
Courses and programmes run by the School of Biological Sciences are administered by staff in the Biology Teaching Organisation (BTO).
You should regularly check the BTO website:
www.ed.ac.uk/biology/current-students/undergraduate Contact BTO Reception
The BTO Reception is located in the James Clerk Maxwell Building (JCMB 2105).
Our normal opening hours are 09:00 to 17:00 (Monday – Friday).
By phone: 0131 650 8649 By email: [email protected]
Depending on advice from the University and the Scottish Government on restrictions relating to the Covid-19 pandemic, BTO administrative staff may sometimes work from home. If we are unable to open the office to visitors, we can always be contacted by email.
Learn site for our Year 1 Students
We strongly encourage you to make use of the Learn site for Biological Sciences Year 1 students. This will be regularly updated with information useful for your year group. A copy of many of the messages we will send you by email will be archived there in the
Announcements section.
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Welcome from the Director of Teaching
Welcome to the University of Edinburgh!
You have entered University at an incredibly challenging time.
However, you have made an excellent choice by coming to Edinburgh. While there is a great deal of uncertainty and
turmoil throughout the world, you can still be certain that during your time at the University of Edinburgh you will be able to pursue your chosen subject with the support of internationally renowned experts in those same fields. The way in which we interact this year will be different for many people, but you will still benefit from encountering a wide variety of people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. By the end of your degree, through your efforts, you will be a highly skilled biologist; even generating new knowledge at the frontiers of your subject.
The ethos of the School of Biological Sciences, and the University as a whole, is that our students should grow to be ‘independent learners’ – developing skills for approaching learning and problem solving that will be used by them, in whatever field of endeavour they choose, for the rest of their lives.
There are some things to keep in mind during your journey through the University:
1. Your efforts will determine the value you get from your time at University: be bold!
Maintaining a high level of enthusiasm for your chosen subject area, and Biology at large, and engaging in all the provided learning opportunities will benefit you multi-fold.
Taking advantage of the social and extracurricular activities that are on offer will allow you to build life-long personal and professional relationships.
2. You are allowed (and encouraged) to make mistakes – to challenge yourselves and do things in a different way.
Do not worry if your plans do not always succeed. You are resourceful and there are many paths to “success” (often passing directly through perceived failures). The key is to remain positive and reflect on how you can improve and progress.
3. A major point for happiness involves understanding your own strengths and weaknesses and your likes and dislikes.
Knowing these, you should ‘choose’ your pathway in life wherever possible. You are best helped by choosing something for positive reasons (i.e. for the benefits it offers), than for negative reasons (i.e. choosing something because it allows you to avoid something else that is unpleasant).
Our students will make life-changing impacts on the world. You are one of them, and it will happen naturally if you strive. We look forward to our opportunity to support you and facilitate your development during this time.
Dr Patrick Walsh, Director of Teaching
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SECTION 1 - GETTING TO KNOW THE UNIVERSITY
University structure
The University of Edinburgh is structured into three Colleges:
• College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science
• College of Science and Engineering
• College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Each College is comprised of a number of Schools. The School of Biological Sciences is in the College of Science and Engineering.
Undergraduate teaching in the School of Biological Sciences is administered by the Biology Teaching Organisation (BTO).
Close collaboration takes place with the Biomedical Teaching Organisation (BMTO) who run the Biomedical Sciences and Medical Science Degree Programme, the Geoscience Teaching Organisation (GTO) who run the Ecological and Environmental Sciences degree Programme and the Chemistry Teaching Organisation (CTO) who run some courses that form part of the Biological Science degree programme.
Semesters
Teaching at the University of Edinburgh takes place during two semesters per year.
All Year 1 students should meet their Personal Tutor (PT) during their first week, to consider their course choices and get to know their PT.
Semester dates for this year and future years: www.ed.ac.uk/semester-dates
Lecture times
Lecture time slots are common throughout the University as follows:
09:00 - 09:50 10:00 - 10:50 11:10 - 12:00 12:10 - 13:00
13:10 - 14:00 14:10 - 15:00 15:10 - 16:00 16:10 - 17:00 17:10 - 18:00
You should note that classes will start at the announced time. Twenty minutes travel time is built into the middle of the morning (10:50 – 11:10). This helps students on campus who take courses in different parts of the University to travel between locations.
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Examinations
Exams take place at the end of each semester. Not all courses use an end-of-semester exam – some may use continuous assessment through the course instead. The
assessment arrangements for each course can be found on Learn.
Exam timetables and venues are arranged by the central Examinations Unit:
www.ed.ac.uk/timetabling-examinations/exams
They will make every effort to achieve a satisfactory distribution of exam times across the exam period but it is possible that you will sometimes have examinations on consecutive days. It is important to plan your revision well in advance of the exams.
Resits
Some students may be required to undertake resits during the summer. Resits can include exams and/or coursework.
● You should not make holiday arrangements for the summer before you know whether you are required to take any resits.
● Taking resits will involve a fee (this fee applies whether you need to resit coursework, exams, or both). If you have resits that will take place in Edinburgh, you may also need to arrange accommodation.
● Students who live outside the UK may apply to take resit examinations in their home country. There is a deadline to apply for this service and an additional fee. Due to logistical constraints, overseas sittings are rarely granted. Further information:
www.ed.ac.uk/timetabling-examinations/exams/oes
Your degree programme
The School of Biological Sciences offers a four-year degree programme leading to honours in Biological Sciences with many different honours specialisations.
You work towards your degree by taking courses worth a total of 120 credits each year.
At this stage, all of the Biological Sciences honours programmes are available to all students registered for Biological Sciences, regardless of the preference (if any) stated on your UCAS form. Demand for honours programmes does vary, with some being more popular than others. Specialisation at honours is conditional on taking the appropriate compulsory courses in earlier years.
It is possible to change your degree programme (for example, between Biological
Sciences and Ecological & Environmental Sciences) if you have the necessary entrance qualifications and have taken appropriate courses in the earlier years. If you think you would like to change School, you should discuss this with your Personal Tutor and then contact the teaching office for the School you wish to move into. The appropriate time to do this would be during Welcome Week or during Semester 2. Transfer applications must
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be submitted by the date set by each School (note that some deadlines may be as early as March).
If you have particularly high entry qualifications you may have been offered the option of Direct Entry into Year 2 of the degree programme – this is also called ‘Advanced
Standing’. This enables you to complete the honours degree in three years. You may accept or reject this offer, after discussing the implications with your Personal Tutor and reading material provided by the BTO. Direct Entry is not available for students intending to specialise in Biological Sciences with Management.
Qualifications
The vast majority of students in Biological Sciences graduate with an honours degree.
However, there are several other qualifications available to students who do not progress to honours. The exact requirements to obtain these qualifications are set out in the Degree Regulations and Programmes of Study under College of Science and Engineering.
www.drps.ed.ac.uk/21-22/dpt/drps_bio.htm In summary these qualifications are:
1. Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education.
2. Undergraduate Diploma of Higher Education.
3. Bachelor of Science, Ordinary Degree in Biological Sciences.
4. Bachelor of Science Degree with Honours in Biological Sciences.
Personal Tutor
Your Personal Tutor (PT) will play an important role in guiding you through the University’s rules and regulations and in discussing course choices. Your PT may also advise you on personal matters (sometimes called ‘pastoral’ support), a role that is shared with our Student Support Tutors. Your PT is a sympathetic member of staff who will follow your progress during your studies. You will meet your PT during Welcome Week.
General guidance on the PT system at the University can be found here:
www.ed.ac.uk/students/academic-life/personal-tutor
Specific information from our Student Support team and our PTs will also be provided to you during Welcome Week.
Enrolment in the University
Matriculation is the process by which students are formally admitted to the University.
Matriculation consists of the four elements outlined below, all of which must be completed before you are fully admitted as a student to the University.
1. Online registration.
2. Confirmation that you have started your studies.
3. Fulfillment of any outstanding admissions criteria.
4. Payment of tuition fees.
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Matriculation is explained in detail here: www.ed.ac.uk/student-systems/support- guidance/students/matriculation
All students must matriculate at the beginning of their studies and then again at the start of each academic year. Matriculation carries with it the agreement to abide by University rules and includes payment of tuition fees and other costs. It also allows access to the services and facilities offered to you by the University.
Code of Conduct
The University’s Code of Student Conduct applies at all times, including when you are using social media: www.ed.ac.uk/academic-services/staff/discipline/code-discipline
Contact details
Students MUST keep their contact details up to date via the Student Self-Service channel in MyEd: www.ed.ac.uk/student-systems/support-guidance/students/student-self-service This is to ensure that staff at the University have access to accurate contact details, particularly during any period of study away (e.g. exchanges).
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SECTION 2 - THE YEAR 1 PROGRAMME
The Year 1 programme in Biological Sciences
The standard Biological Sciences Year 1 programme
Origin and Diversity of Life 1 Semester 1 BILG08001
Quantitative Skills for Biologists 1 Semester 1 BILG08019 Biology, Ecology and Environment 1 Semester 2 BILG08017
Molecules, Genes and Cells 1 Semester 2 BILG08015
Courses offered by the School of Chemistry
Biological Chemistry 1A Semester 1 CHEM08022
Biological Chemistry 1B Semester 2 CHEM08023
Courses offered by the Deanery of Biomedical Sciences
Our Changing World Semester 1 BIME08006
Medical Biology 1 Semester 2 BIME08004
Courses offered by the School of Philosophy, Psychology & Language Sciences
Psychology 1A Semester 1 PSYL08009
Psychology 1B Semester 2 PSYL08010
Courses offered by the Business School*
Global Challenges for Business Semester 1 BUST08035
The Business of Edinburgh Semester 2 BUST08036
Psychological Wellbeing in Business Semester 1/2 BUST08044/48
Planning for a Start-up Semester 2 BUST08040
Thinking About Business Semester 2 BUST08045
*Students taking the ‘with management’ programme must take at least 40 credits of Business courses during Year 1, of which at least one from ‘Global Challenges for Business’ (BUST08035) or ‘Business of Edinburgh’ (BUST08036).
Students who are interested in pursuing accountancy courses in later years are advised to take Accounting for Business (ACCN08011) along with either BUST08035 or BUST08036.
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Year 1 curriculum
You are required to take and pass two compulsory Biological Sciences 20 credit courses.
In practice, most students choose all their courses from those set out in the table below.
When you first log in to MyEd and look at your courses, you will see your compulsory courses listed, but may have others listed too. You are free to change the extra courses after consultation with your PT. Your PT will provide you with academic guidance and register your final choices. The table below shows the courses taken by the majority of students. It also shows courses that are taken by students who are registered for
Biological Sciences with Management. Other courses can also be considered and some of these are described in this guide. A complete list of all the University courses can be found in the Degree Regulations and Programmes of Study (remember to select the correct academic year): www.drps.ed.ac.uk
You can look at the description of courses and see if any of them appeal to you. In general, Year 1 is the best time to take outside courses because taking them later may restrict your honours options.
Semester 1
(September to December) Semester 2
(January to May) Origin and Diversity of Life 1
(compulsory) (BILG08001)
Molecules, Genes and Cells 1 (compulsory)
(BILG08015) Quantitative Skills for Biologists 1
(BILG08019) Biology, Ecology and Environment 1
(BILG08017) Biological Chemistry 1A
(CHEM08022) Biological Chemistry 1B
(CHEM08023) Other courses are optional but some may be required for particular sets of students.
Semester 1
(September to December) Semester 2
(January to May) Global Challenges for Business
(BUST08035) The Business of Edinburgh
(BUST08036) Mathematics for Natural Sciences 1A
(MATH08072) Mathematics for Natural Sciences 1B
(MATH08073) Human Geography
(GEGR08007) Medical Biology 1
(BIME08004) Earth Dynamics
(EASC08001) Sustainability, Society & Environment (ENVI08001)
Psychology 1A
(PSYL08009) Psychology 1B
(PSYL08010)
A typical first year programme for Biological Science students consists of 120 credits, generally made up of six courses (each worth 20 credits), which together provide a solid foundation in Biology. This programme introduces you to all the major aspects of modern Biology along with relevant chemical, mathematical and physical principles.
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To ensure a solid basis in biological subjects, all Biological Science students must take and pass the compulsory courses: Origin and Diversity of Life 1 (ODL1) in Semester 1 and Molecules, Genes and Cells 1 (MGC1) in Semester 2. These core courses must be passed to enable progression into Year 2.
Students who are taking the Biological Sciences with Management programme must take 40 credits of Business School courses (as listed on page 12) to include at least one of Global Challenges for Business or The Business of Edinburgh (as well the usual compulsory courses ODL1 and MGC1).
Most PTs will stress the importance of Biological Chemistry in understanding modern Biology. If you are inclined to take an alternative, you should think through your reasons for this, think about which course(s) you would wish to take instead and about the longer- term implications.
Courses may start at a basic level but will soon provide much greater depth than that of A- levels or Scottish Advanced Highers. Courses are designed around the expertise and research interests of our academic staff. You will be introduced to some of the major biological issues and controversies of the day, by staff who are experts in their chosen fields.
The courses that comprise the standard Year 1 programme are designed to increase your skill-base and incorporate a broad range of teaching methods (lectures, practicals,
tutorials, computer workshops, project-based investigations). However, the courses differ in both their subject content and the specific skills that they each develop. By taking the whole programme, you will develop a wide and balanced range of study skills that provide a firm grounding for courses in the later years.
Plan your study. Each course will provide details of the assessments at the start. Plan your semester so that you can keep up with your studies and complete your assessments on time. Note that some Semester 1 courses may be examined at the end of the semester.
If you leave your revision to the last moment, you will not have enough time to complete it satisfactorily. You are strongly advised to keep your work and revision up-to-date
throughout the semester.
Students are advised to review their work even for courses that do not use an exam, to consolidate learning and ensure that you are well prepared for future years.
Credits and workload
You have enrolled for full-time education. You take courses worth 120 credits in each year. This credit system is applied throughout Higher Education in Britain, and one credit is defined as 10 hours of "student effort".
A 20 credit course is equivalent to 200 hours of student effort. The total number of contact teaching hours (lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials) will seldom be more than 70 hours for a 20 credit course – the rest of the time represents personal study, revision and
coursework. A full year's workload (120 credits) is the equivalent of working 5 days per week for 8 hours per day, over the 30 weeks between September and the start of the exams in April.
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Aims and learning objectives in Year 1
Overall aims of the Year 1 programme
• To provide a broad knowledge base and understanding of the diversity of modern biology, as a foundation for specialisation in subsequent years.
• To demonstrate how elements of chemistry, physics and quantitative analysis can inform and elucidate biological phenomena.
• To provide familiarity with a wide range of analytical and investigative skills relating to biology.
• To promote a positive and inquisitive attitude to science.
• To promote independent, self-motivated learning.
Learning objectives
• To be able to organise your time effectively.
• To be able to take effective lecture notes and to supplement these with appropriate material from other sources (books, internet, etc.).
• To contribute and learn from small-group interactions in a tutorial environment.
• To be able to perform experiments with safety and accuracy, and to record, analyse and summarise the results.
• To carry out numerical calculations confidently and accurately.
• To be able to use a wide range of IT resources.
• To appreciate the variability of biological data and to apply simple but appropriate statistical tests for data analysis.
• To be aware of the social responsibility of scientists to society and to each other.
Direct Entry into Year 2
Direct Entry is not available to those taking the Biological Sciences with Management Programme. The degree regulations for this programme require students to take business courses in both Years 1 and 2 so that they are qualified to take further management
courses at honours level in Years 3 and 4.
If you are offered Direct Entry and decide to accept the offer, you will enrol for Year 2 courses rather than Year 1 courses. Read the information available from the BTO and consult your PT. You might find Year 2 courses difficult at first, because you will not have developed the study skills that Year 1 students acquire. You will also need to look at some of the resources for the Year 1 courses, to catch up on any material.
If you decide to stay in Year 1 then you can choose a much wider range of courses from elsewhere in the University, to supplement the two compulsory courses that all first year Biological Sciences students must take (ODL1 and MGC1).
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Courses offered by the School of Biological Sciences
Semester 1
(September to December) Origin and Diversity of Life 1 (BILG08001) - Compulsory
In this exciting course, you will study the diversity of living organisms and the evolutionary forces that created it. You will travel from life's beginnings in the ocean through the
evolution of bacteria, the origin of eukaryotes, the evolution of plants, fungi and animals to the complexities of the immune systems that protect organisms from parasites and
pathogens, including viruses.
Science is about the unknown as much as the known, so you will learn how to pose an evolutionary question and then turn that question into a hypothesis that can be tested. You will try this method out first in field trips to the Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh. Then, you and your research team will design and conduct experiments in drosophila genetics in a virtual lab. This will be followed by an investigation in experimental evolution in bacteria, conducted in the Ashworth Laboratory.
In workshops with your research team, you will learn how to write a scientific paper and then use this skill to write up your own experimental results.
Throughout the course, you will use your Portfolio to record and reflect on your learning.
Everything you will need for this course is contained in the course website, or can be accessed from links found there. This includes access via the library website to a short- term (3hr) loan ebook of the textbook (Campbell, N. A. 2018 or later, Biology: a global approach. New York : Pearson), but we recommend that you buy your own hard copy or ebook (We are not using the associated Mastering Biology website).
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course you should be able to:
1. Name the three domains of life and describe their evolutionary relationships.
2. Identify the major kingdoms by reference to their distinguishing characteristics.
3. Describe some of the major evolutionary events in the origin of life and the evolution of plants, microbes, fungi and animals.
4. Solve simple problems in Mendelian genetics.
5. Recognise and understand different forms of immunity.
6. Devise and conduct an experimental investigation of an evolutionary question.
7. Write up your experiments in the standard format of a scientific paper.
8. Reflect productively on your own learning and show evidence of this.
(20 credits)
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Quantitative Skills for Biologists 1 (BILG08019)
This course will teach key quantitative skills used in biology through programming
exercises, Q&A sessions and self-directed study. The course will consist of 3 modules: a) exploratory data analysis, b) mathematics and c) programming for analysis of biological data.
Mathematics: There will be an online introductory lecture. Every week, students will be asked to read specific chapters from the book “Easy Mathematics for Biologists” and answer questions. The answers to these questions will be posted online and there will be sessions at which students can ask questions to reinforce understanding of the material.
Statistics and Programming: Both components will be taught via workshops, in addition to online lectures. In the workshops, students will learn how to solve programming problems, supported by demonstrators, to consolidate self-directed study.
(20 credits)
Semester 2 (January to May) Biology, Ecology and Environment 1 (BILG08017)
Biology, Ecology and Environment 1 focuses on the interconnectedness of nature and offers valuable insights into the diversity, distribution and abundance of life on planet Earth. The course provides the foundations for understanding the complex relationships that form throughout our planet and provides a backdrop for appreciating our current global crises. We will also explore how, by understanding biology, ecology and the environment, we can begin to respond to some of these challenges.
Lectures and Practicals are divided into modules that reflect the "hierarchical structure of nature", demonstrating the organisation of life from the single individual to complete ecosystems and the importance of interactions at each level. The core factual material covers the following topics:
• Global Environments
(how climatic conditions are established on our planet)
• Organisms and Biology
(the astonishing number of ways in which organisms make a living)
• Population Ecology
(how individuals interact and populations change)
• Communities and Ecosystems
(how organisms, species and whole communities interact)
• The Changing Planet
(how the changes we humans are making affect those interactions)
However, the scope is much beyond just the core knowledge. The course aims to explore the nature of science, as an active field, using Ecological concepts as the basis of this exploration.
Students will develop a deeper understanding of science by engaging in activities where they are:
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• generating new knowledge and understanding;
• honing their critical thinking skills;
• communicating scientific research; and
• developing data handling and interpretation skills.
The details of how the course will run will depend on the developing circumstances of the pandemic, but assessments will include individual and group activities.
(20 credits)
Molecules, Genes and Cells 1 (BILG08015) - Compulsory
This course focuses on the molecular biology of cells and the topics covered provide an essential foundation for all Biological Sciences degree programmes. The course examines the function of molecules, like proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids within the context of living cells. In-depth study of protein structure and function is covered, and the molecular
techniques used in protein purification and analysis. The structure of nucleic acids is also covered, including mechanisms of DNA replication and the regulated expression of genetic information. Genetic engineering is described in detail and how it is used for
biotechnological applications. Cell membrane structure and function, the cytoskeleton and the cell cycle are further subjects in the course.
The major skills that you will develop in this course include: familiarisation with the major molecular constituents of the cell and their functional relationships, and problem solving through independent research and collaboration.
(20 credits)
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Biological Chemistry courses for Biological Sciences students
The Biological Chemistry 1A and 1B 20 credit courses together provide the first year course for students taking biological sciences-based degrees. These courses are
designed to take students with diverse backgrounds and provide them with the thorough grounding in the fundamentals of biological chemistry and provide a basic training in the essential laboratory skills for practical chemistry.
The courses consist of lectures, tutorials and laboratory classes.
BC1A and BC1B are required for students intending to proceed to biological degrees requiring credits in Chemistry and are prerequisites for Biological Chemistry 2.
Semester 1 Biological Chemistry 1A (CHEM08022)
The course is designed to provide an introduction to the key chemical principles
underpinning many biological processes. The main themes addressed by the course are:
structure, shape and bonding of covalent molecules, reactivity of singly bonded functional groups and carbonyl chemistry; primary, secondary and tertiary structure of bio-molecules and an introduction to metabolic processes.
The learning outcomes of this course are to understand, describe and account for: the fundamental principles of the structure, shape and bonding of covalent molecules, reactivity of singly bonded functional groups and carbonyl chemistry; primary, secondary and tertiary structure of bio-molecules and basic metabolic processes.
Lectures for the five topics will be delivered online. Each topic will have an associated in- person tutorial. There will be three in-person lab sessions, and two on-line lab based workshops. For students who cannot be in Edinburgh, tutorials and five lab workshops will be available online.
Semester 2 Biological Chemistry 1B (CHEM08023)
BC1B builds on material in the BC1A course and integrates closely with Molecules, Genes and Cells 1. The course is designed to provide an introduction to the key chemical
principles underpinning many biological processes. The course provides an introduction to structural characterization and the key physical chemistry driving many biological
processes. The main themes addressed are: bioenergetics, equilibria, biological catalysis, bio-electrochemistry and structural characterization.
The learning outcomes of this course are to understand, describe and account for: the key physical chemistry driving many biological processes, bioenergetics, equilibria, biological catalysis, bio-electrochemistry and structural characterisation. Use data sets acquired in practical laboratory sessions to reinforce taught topics and demonstrate your
understanding by completing online worksheets.
Lectures for the five topics will be delivered online. Each topic will have an associated in- person tutorial. There will be three in-person lab sessions, and two on-line lab based workshops. For students who cannot be in Edinburgh, tutorials and five lab workshops will be available online.
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Courses offered by the Deanery of Biomedical Sciences
Semester 1 Our Changing World (BIME08006)
This is a challenging interdisciplinary course, worth 20 credits, based on weekly seminars discussing the theme “After the Pandemic: what next?” The course will include student- generated content: asking your questions and recognising your priorities.
The course aims to engage students in thinking about the challenges that now confront our global community, and make them aware of the role of academic research and scholarship in meeting these challenges. You will be expected to address key issues across discipline boundaries, and develop an understanding of the relevance and impact of their own subject in the broader context. You will develop and test a range of academic skills on the course by engaging with course materials, researching the topics in depth, participation in online weekly seminars and working in small groups to produce a collaborative project (a short film) on your chosen topic. The individual written work requires the submission of short weekly "blog" style responses to a range of topics. The course is grade only (pass/fail) with an emphasis on responsive feedback.
This course may appeal to students who already have a strong foundation in all of the core subjects to be covered in the current year of study and who consequently wish to engage with academic research in a broader interdisciplinary way.
It is your changing world. Let’s discuss!
For further information and an introductory video please see
www.ed.ac.uk/biomedical-sciences/undergraduate-studying/elective-courses Semester 2
Medical Biology 1 (BIME08004)
The aims of this 20 credit course are to demonstrate, through lectures and facilitated group discussions, the scientific basis of modern medicine and the role of basic biological
sciences in advancing medical knowledge. The course is suitable for first-year Biology students, as well as students with an interest in human biology and medicine from other Schools and Colleges.This course will provide:
• Knowledge of the biological basis of a number of global health issues and diseases of current interest.
• The ability to develop skills in assimilating information related to particular research topics and to prepare balanced, concise written accounts based on understanding and critical evaluation of evidence obtained from reading scientific publications and from participation in group discussions.
• Development of oral presentation skills within a team setting.
• Development of practical skills in measuring biological variables in a laboratory, recording, collating and analysing the data statistically and graphically, and
preparing concise summaries of the results. Reviewing, interpreting, integrating and discussing the findings in relation to published evidence, and presenting a
referenced report as a project dissertation.
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Courses offered by the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences
Semester 1 Psychology 1A (PSYL08009)
Semester 2 Psychology 1B (PSYL08010)
These two 20 credit Psychology courses aim to develop an integrated understanding of modern approaches to some of the core areas of psychology. Four core areas are covered in each of the two courses. Students are also presented with a broader historical,
conceptual and methodological framework of scientific and psychological research.
Besides this, students are taught and can practice a range of general research skills.
Studying Psychology 1A in Semester 1 is recommended, although not required, for students intending to study Psychology 1B in Semester 2.
Language courses for non-linguists
Language courses for non-linguists are offered by the School of Literature, Languages and Cultures: www.llc.ed.ac.uk/open-languages
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Courses offered by the Business School
Semester 1 Global Challenges for Business (BUST08035)
This 20 credit course acts as a ‘transition course’ to support students at the start of their undergraduate degree. The course gives students an understanding of the nature of business and the global, societal context in which business functions.
Transition to university learning topics including:
Working in teams.
Quality of Argument.
Strength of Evidence.
Clarity of Communication.
Business in a global context with topics such as:
Understanding Business.
Digital disruption.
Globalisation.
Environmental disruption.
Changes in consumption.
New forms of work.
Semester 2 The Business of Edinburgh (BUST08036)
The focus of the 20 credit course Business of Edinburgh is on giving students an insight into the practice of management. Students will learn by using examples of local managers using widely used concepts and techniques to manage their businesses and giving an insight into their day-to-day roles. This will be achieved by using guest speakers, cases and recorded interviews, developed in partnership with local organisations. The course will use online resources covering key-concept content, with lectures focused on the practice of management and tutorials designed to develop practical skills, both in using the
functional techniques and in developing generic skills of analysis and presentation.
Each week will focus on a single management function. The functions covered may vary to fit the offers from managers in partner Edinburgh organisations, but will include operations manager, sales manager, analytics manager, marketing manager, HR manager,
entrepreneur and chief executive.
Students taking the ‘with management’ programme must take one or both of
BUST08035 and BUST08036. In total they must take 40 credits of Business courses during Year 1 – if only one of the courses described on this page is chosen, further suggestions of suitable courses can be found on page 13.
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Residential and Field Courses in Biological Subjects
Students intending to take Honours in Ecology or Zoology are required to attend a field course in Year 3 (Field Zoology 3).
All programmes will attend a Residential or Field Course in Year 4.
Residential / Field Courses incur additional charges, to be paid in the year the course is taken.
Field Ecology (ECSC08007) run by Geosciences
This is a Level 8 course worth 20 credits. It is recommended for students intending to take a whole organism honours programme (Ecology, Zoology, Plant Sciences or Evolutionary Biology). Note that this course is normally taken after the end of Year 1 when it counts as a Year 2 course.
Students gain a broad knowledge of how to apply a range of routine professional
techniques employed in the study of biological organisms and ecosystems in the field. You will also gain detailed experience in methods of identification and classification of
organisms
The course consists of fieldwork plus an extended assessment. Normally the fieldwork element takes place in May/June, before the start of the academic year, and the extended assessment is handed in during Semester 1.
Students interested in taking Field Ecology should contact the course administrator to register their interest, as places are limited. A course fee must be paid to secure a place (as a guide, the fee in 2019 was £40).
Expeditions, fieldwork and lab experience in vacations
Fieldwork and internships can give you valuable experience and enhance your CV. You can search for opportunities on the MyCareerHub tool, as well as find a wealth of other useful careers-related information, here: www.ed.ac.uk/careers/mycareerhub
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SECTION 3 - CURRICULUM INFORMATION
Timetables
Your timetable can be accessed via MyEd. This service includes the delivery of a personalised timetable service called MyTimetable. Your personalised timetable will also appear on Office 365 calendars, which you can view on your smart phone.
www.ed.ac.uk/timetabling-examinations/timetabling/personalised-timetables/student- timetables
You can find information on the classes that make up any course by looking in the course guide on the course Learn site. You should study your course information on Learn to ensure that you do not miss any activities – make sure that you fully participate in all of your courses so that you can get the most out of them.
You can also find timetable information for all courses using PATH, an interactive online tool that allows you to choose courses, see the options within these courses and put together a timetable. More information on PATH: https://path.is.ed.ac.uk/
Changing groups
Many classes are split into smaller groups, for example for tutorials. You will be allocated to groups for these activities. You should attend your allocated group. Occasionally you may find that you have a clash with another course or that one of the alternative groups would work better for you. In these circumstances, you can complete a Group Change Request form online:
www.ed.ac.uk/timetabling-examinations/timetabling/personalised-timetables
Ensure that you enter the correct course details when completing the form – you must first select the School that delivers the course. Course codes starting ‘BILG’ are delivered by Biological Sciences; those starting ‘CHEM’ are delivered by Chemistry. Before you complete the form, check when the alterative groups take place. This information should be available in the course guide / Learn.
Note that group allocations on MyTimetable will be updated more quickly that your Office 365 calendar, particularly during the first few weeks of semester.
Changing courses in Year 1
If you feel that you have made the wrong choice of courses, it is very important that you talk to your PT as soon as possible. You are not normally allowed to change courses after Week 2, because of the difficulty of catching up with material you have missed in a new course. PTs will have teaching or other commitments, so please contact them in good time if you wish to change a course. If you fail to establish contact with your PT and the Week 2 deadline is imminent, contact the BTO Student Support immediately
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Choosing your courses for Year 2
Every year you will confirm the courses that you wish to take, in consultation with your PT.
During Semester 2, you will be provided with information on the options and opportunities for the next academic year. You will then be asked to indicate your preliminary Year 2 course choices (this helps us to plan for the year ahead, but does not commit you
irrevocably to those courses – you can make changes via your PT at the start of the year).
Engagement with studies
You are expected to engage fully with all of your courses. It is your responsibility to sign in to all teaching sessions if required. We will routinely check that you are participating in all of your courses. You are also obliged to complete assignments (essays, reports, etc.) by the deadlines given in the course guide or on Learn. If your engagement is poor, or if you fail to submit coursework by the deadline, then you run the risk of failing the course.
If you fail to engage with your studies, you may be asked to meet with a BTO Student Support Tutor or other member of staff, to discuss your reasons for not participating. It is essential that you read your University email regularly.
Failure to engage regularly has serious consequences such as needing to repeat a year or part of a year, which has financial implications, or you may have to leave the University.
Failure to engage with your studies for a period of several weeks without good reason, and failure to respond to email, could mean automatic withdrawal from the University.
Absences, late penalties, extensions and Special Circumstances
If you miss classes for more than a week, through prolonged illness or for personal reasons, you should inform your PT or email [email protected].
There are penalties for late submission of work. Information on late penalties, as well as extensions and Special Circumstances, can be found in the BTO Essential Guide and on the Student Support section of the BTO website: www.ed.ac.uk/biology/current-
students/undergraduate/bto-student-support/student-support-team
Learning and Teaching Strategy
The College of Science and Engineering adheres to the following principles:
The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
We are committed to the scholarship of teaching and learning. As academics, we will strive to develop our teaching approaches in order to achieve better learning by our students, and to help them to develop as effective and independent learners.
Learning with Enquiry
We are a scholarly community based on enquiry, and on generating knowledge. Students will be made familiar with the scientific method from the beginning of their studies; there will be a strong strand of learning with enquiry (learning to ask the right questions) at all levels, integrated where possible with our research activities.
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Personal Learning
Our learning environment, and the requirements and expectations that we communicate to students, will be designed to ensure that they are given, and feel, a genuine responsibility for their own learning, seeing rewards and benefits from effectively managing their
activities, and negative consequences from failing to do so.
Collaborative Learning
Collaborative learning of an informal nature will be encouraged and study-support
measures will be designed with that in mind. Where possible, our degree programmes will contain significant elements of formal collaborative learning, supported by academic staff and by flexible computer-based interactions.
Flexibility of Learning Styles
Wherever possible, learning opportunities will respond to the variety of students’
circumstances, experience and aptitudes.
Assessment
You must complete work for each course to a satisfactory standard and fulfil the learning objectives. Some courses use a combination of in-course assessment and degree
examination to arrive at the final mark. All Biological Sciences courses will provide details of what you need to do to pass the course in the course guide on Learn. Some courses require you to pass both an exam and in-course assessments, so that averaging a pass mark overall will not necessarily be sufficient. For some courses, there may be additional requirements, for example, regular participation in course activities.
The overall pass mark for a course is usually 40%. If you fail to meet a specific
requirement to pass the course but nonetheless average more than 40, your mark will be reported on MyEd as FF (Force Fail). This means you have failed even though your overall course mark was over 40. In such cases, you will receive instructions on the components you need to pass during the summer resit diet.
Having been given a place at university, you have the ability to pass your assessments and to obtain a degree. If you fail an assessment, it may be a sign that you are not studying effectively, or perhaps not enjoying your courses. You should discuss your situation with your PT (it is better to discuss such issues before they become a problem).
Coursework submissions
Coursework must be submitted before a specific time on the deadline day. Late penalties are applied from one minute after the deadline. Exact deadline dates and times can be found in your course guides on Learn.
Submissions received online will automatically record the date and time of submission.
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Academic Misconduct
Plagiarism can be defined as the deliberate use of another person's work in your own work, as if it were your own, without adequate acknowledgement of the original source. If you submit work without appropriate acknowledgement, then you are attempting to
mislead the examiners. In other words, plagiarism is cheating – trying to claim the credit for something that is not your work. Every submission made for assessment must be original. You cannot submit the same work or part of a previous assessment for credit in the same or another course.
Plagiarism is a serious offence, because it threatens to undermine the value of a University degree. We take it seriously, and will impose penalties on students who are found guilty of plagiarism.
Other forms of Academic Misconduct would include collusion or falsification of data.
You should look at the University web pages on Academic Misconduct and ensure that you understand what constitutes misconduct so that you can avoid it:
www.ed.ac.uk/academic-services/students/conduct/academic-misconduct Assessment Regulations
The undergraduate assessment regulations can be found on the University’s website under the following URL: www.ed.ac.uk/academic-services/policies-
regulations/regulations/assessment
Enrolment for a course will automatically ensure you are registered for all assessments for that course. You can check the courses for which you are registered via MyEd:
www.myed.ed.ac.uk
Study skills
Please see the link below for guidance on developing your study skills with the Institute for Academic Development (IAD): www.ed.ac.uk/institute-academic-development
Appeals procedure
If you wish to appeal against a decision made by a Board of Examiners, you will find the procedure described on the Academic Services website:
www.ed.ac.uk/academic-services/students/appeals
A formal appeal should be submitted to the Academic Appeals Committee as described on the website. The only grounds for appeal are:
A. To provide ‘substantial information that was directly relevant to the quality of performance in the examination’, which for good reason was not available to the examiners when their decision was taken.
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B. Alleged irregular procedure or improper conduct of an examination, including the conduct of a meeting of the Board of Examiners.
The appeals procedure, therefore, cannot be invoked simply on the grounds that you got a mark of 39%, just short of a pass mark, and would like us to reconsider your scripts.
Nevertheless, we do everything we can to demonstrate fairness. So, if you are surprised by your exam result and would like to have guidance, we suggest that you discuss this first with your PT. Your PT can approach the Course Organiser or the Director of Teaching for Biological Sciences. We would ask the relevant people to check that your mark had been calculated correctly. In the unlikely event that an error had been made we would
immediately correct it. We may also be able to tell you those parts of the examination in which you under-performed.
Common marking scheme
Assessments have a pass mark of 40% and are graded according to the University's Common Marking Scheme.
Common Marking Scheme
Honours
classification Mark (%) Grade Non-honours
description
1st 90-100 A1 Excellent
1st 80-89 A2 Excellent
1st 70-79 A3 Excellent
2.1 60-69 B Very Good
2.2 50-59 C Pass
3rd 40-49 D Pass
Fail 30-39 E Marginal Fail
Fail 20-29 F Clear Fail
Fail 10-19 G Bad Fail
Fail 0-9 H Bad Fail
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Academic Progression in Years 1 and 2
All full-time students should obtain 120 credits in each year of study. Compulsory courses MUST be passed to enable progression.
Students who do not attain this minimum do not have the automatic right to progress or to repeat a year.
If a student is 20 credits short of the required total (for example, has achieved 100 credits and has passed the core courses at the end of their Year 1, or has achieved 220 credits at the end of Year 2), they should seek guidance from their Personal Tutor. In most cases the student will be permitted to progress into the next year of study and either carry the failed course as ‘assessment/exam only’ or be enrolled in a new course to make up for the credit shortfall.
A student will be required to attend an interview with the Senior Tutor to discuss their academic progress if any of the following apply:
• They have obtained 100 credits but have failed a compulsory course.
• They have less than 100 credits at the end of Year 1.
• They have obtained less than 220 credits at the end of Year 2.
In such cases it is unlikely that the student will be allowed to progress into the next year of study but may be allowed to return in the following year to repeat the year and gain credits.
Core courses must be passed. If a student has failed optional courses then there is the possibility to enrol on additional new courses to make up for the credit shortfall. However, the Senior Tutor may decide that after considering the academic record that the student should be excluded from further study.
Overseas exchanges
If you want to take any part of your programme at a University overseas, Year 3 is usually when this is possible. You could take all or part of the year overseas, in place of the
courses you would take at Edinburgh. It is essential that you plan this well in advance, and discuss the matter with your PT in plenty of time. You must decide which honours degree programme you would like to take in Year 4 (after returning from overseas), and ensure that the courses you take elsewhere will give you an adequate background. The relevant Honours Programme Organiser must approve the courses that you plan to take overseas.
The planning to study overseas in Year 3 needs to be planned and applied for in Year 2.
It is important that you are aware of the following:
• If you are accepted onto an exchange programme and receive approval for your proposed curriculum, note that your performance in your exchange year will NOT contribute to your final degree classification (although you have to pass the courses that you take).
• In the first week of every month you are required to report to the Exchange Coordinator, to enable us to ensure that your studies are on track.
For more information on student exchanges see: www.ed.ac.uk/global/exchanges
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Student representatives
Every year students help us by providing feedback about courses: this may be in the form of suggestions about the presentation of material, comments on the workload that is expected, or about organisation and administration.
Course feedback
We often canvass opinion on courses by asking students to complete questionnaires.
Course Organisers may also seek mid-semester feedback in a variety of forms.
The findings may be discussed by Teaching Committees and made available to External Examiners. We take your views seriously and would encourage you to participate in providing feedback.
Student-Staff Liaison Committees
Programme Representatives will represent students on Student-Staff Liaison
Committees. Programme Representatives have a two-way role, providing information to staff about student views, and helping to ensure that the views of Teaching Committees are communicated to students. Issues may range from difficulties about handing in work to commenting on facilities.
www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/representation/yourrepresentatives/programmereps
Near the beginning of the academic year, we will seek representatives to serve as Programme Representatives.
Student voice
There are many ways to get involved in student representation. Further information can be found on the University website: www.ed.ac.uk/students/academic-life/student-voice
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SECTION 4 - GENERAL INFORMATION AND SERVICES
Information Services
You should be aware of the University’s computing service and regulations. Any breach of these regulations, likely to bring the University into disrepute, will be investigated and dealt with as a matter of misconduct. The regulations can be found at:
www.ed.ac.uk/information-services/about/policies-and-regulations/computing-regulations
University systems
Ensure that you have activated your University account, check your MyEd portal, activated your email account and connected your phone / laptop to eduroam (Wi-Fi). Information on how to do all of this (and more) can be found here:
www.ed.ac.uk/students/new-students/ready-university/top-6-tasks/myed
Learn
All of the courses that you take will make use of Learn, a virtual learning environment.
Materials will be made available to you on Learn, including lecture notes and coursework assignments. Teaching staff and administrators may make important announcements about your classes via Learn. All of your course Learn sites can be accessed via MyEd.
You will receive emails from the University containing essential information, so check your inbox frequently. Do not send emails without a subject heading (as they are likely to be confined to spam folders or left unread). The BTO regularly sends important email messages to students, and we always use your University address. If you use another email account for personal messages, you must also regularly check your University email.
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Sources of help
Class sizes in Year 1 are large and sometimes it is easy to feel a little lost. Help can be obtained from several different sources where you can be treated at a more personal level.
Please do not be afraid to ask for help if you are unsure about something or are experiencing difficulties.
Personal Tutor
Your Personal Tutor (PT) is here to follow your progress during the whole of your undergraduate studies and offer support and guidance. Your PT can advise you about courses and will be knowledgeable about other aspects of the University. Anything that affects your progress can be discussed, including accommodation problems, sickness or study problems. You should report on your progress fairly frequently.
General information on the guidance that PTs can provide can be found here:
www.ed.ac.uk/students/academic-life/personal-tutor
Please also look at the information provided specifically for Biological Sciences students in relation to your PT.
If your PT is not contactable and you need advice urgently, you can contact the BTO Student Support Team.
BTO Student Support Team
There may be occasions when you are unable to contact your PT when you are seeking help or advice on personal matters. Instead, you can contact the BTO Student Support Team by email ([email protected]) to request a meeting. If the matter is urgent, please include ‘urgent’ in the subject line. There are also regular digital and in- person drop-in sessions, no appointment required – please see the BTO Student Support website for the times (www.ed.ac.uk/biology/current-students/undergraduate/bto-student- support/student-support-team).
If you need to submit a Special Circumstances application, a member of the Student Support Team can offer you guidance and support with this. See the website for details and email [email protected] to arrange an appointment.
BTO Student Support Staff may be able to provide help and guidance on particular aspects of some Year 1 and Year 2 undergraduate courses when requested. They may also be able to guide you to a specific support service when needed.
For pastoral support (personal matters) please email: [email protected] For questions concerning academic support please first see your course guide for individual’s email addresses, or email [email protected]
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Your BTO Student Support Team are:
Dr Nadia Tuzi Senior Academic Tutor with particular responsibility for:
MGC1, TDC2, GGA2 and Team Leader
Dr John Curtis Student Support Tutor with particular responsibility for ODL1, AnBio2, MGC1 and pastoral support
Dr Hazel Cruickshanks Student Support Tutor with particular responsibility for BEE1, ODL1 and pastoral support Dr David Radford Student Support Tutor with particular responsibility for
BEE1, EIA2, TMW2 and pastoral support
Dr Abigail Cabrelli Student Support Tutor with particular responsibility for BEE1, EIA2 and pastoral support
BMTO Academic Support
If you require help and guidance of a general academic nature for courses run by the Deanery of Biomedical Sciences (for example, Medical Biology 1 or Cells to Organisms 2), please contact the BMTO ([email protected] ) who will forward your query to a member of staff who can best deal with your query.
Demonstrators
The BTO employs demonstrators (who are mostly postgraduate students in the University) to provide help to students during practicals. They are a valuable source of information.
Student Counselling
The Student Counselling Service supports the mental health of all students at the University, using short-term counselling and referral to other services. In addition, they offer a range of self-help workshops and literature. The counsellors are experienced and professionally trained. They can offer free counselling to anyone with personal problems which affects their wellbeing: www.ed.ac.uk/student-counselling
If you feel your problem is urgent, you may need to go to your own doctor (GP) or the University Health Service.
Part-time jobs
We know that many students need to take a part-time job in evenings or weekends in order to support themselves. This can be challenging, particularly if the jobs offer low rates of pay or require long hours. Think very carefully before you take a job during semester time. Is it essential? Will you still be able to get up for classes at 09:00? Would you be able to cope by working only in the holidays? It is almost inevitable that an evening job during semester will adversely affect your studies. A job is always going to take away time that could be devoted to the many other opportunities that university offers you.
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Remember the number of hours of work expected of students in full-time education.
Make sure that any part-time job you do take does not clash with your classes. Remember also that you will be taking different courses at different times in each semester.
Edinburgh University Student's Association (EUSA) also has a Student Employment Service: www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/jobs/
Societies
We encourage you to join a society which interests you: www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/activities/list Why not join a Biological Sciences society, to meet other students and build community:
www.ed.ac.uk/biology/current-students/biology-teaching-organisation/new-students Involvement in subject-related societies is a good way to develop a relevant interest for your CV. It also allows you to enjoy the company of students who share a common interest. Some societies organise revision sessions that you may find helpful.
If there is a degree-related topic that doesn’t currently have a society associated with it, then you could build support for it amongst your peers and start something new:
www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/activities/societies/runasociety
