Book for Beds 2024 - Life Sciences

SCHOOL OF LIFE SCIENCES

Welcoming students who are studying:

BSc (Hons) Biochemistry

BSc (Hons) Biological Science

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science

BSc (Hons) Food and Nutrition Science

BSc (Hons) Forensic Science

BSc (Hons) Forensic Science and Criminology

BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences

BSc (Hons) Pharmacology and Health Science

ABOUT THIS GUIDE

We have compiled this guide to help you successfully navigate your first few weeks at the University of Bedfordshire and get you off to the best possible start.

The following pages include a range of information including details about your academic team and course; essential support services and resources; your schedule for Welcome Week; and how you can enjoy the social side of life on campus.

WELCOME TO LIFE SCIENCES

Welcome from the Head of Life Sciences at the University of Bedfordshire.

We take pride in providing a vibrant and supportive learning environment for all our Life Sciences students along with employment-orientated education and skills training.

Our mission is to inspire you to achieve your ambitions and goals in your studies and your future career. This booklet provides you with important information that will guide you during your first few weeks and months as you settle into university life.

I look forward to welcoming you to the School of Life Sciences.

Professor Prasad S Sreenivasaprasad Head of Life Sciences

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR COURSE COORDINATORS

Hello and welcome to the School of Life Sciences!

Our courses are designed to give you a solid grounding in core life science topics, so many of our courses cover the same subject areas in the first year. As you progress through your course, you will then take units specific to your subject (areas of specialism).

You will attend lectures and workshops to gain knowledge and understanding of key subjects. These are complemented by practical classes in our specialist laboratories where you will develop key scientific skills aligned with industry standards.

During Welcome Week you will be introduced to your course, the academic team and your fellow students (as well as having lots of fun!). You’ll be assigned a personal tutor who will support you throughout your course, as will our specialist first/foundation year coordinator. All our tutors have weekly office hours, so you can book an appointment to discuss any aspect of your course. They can also tell you more about the range of additional support services at the University to help you transition to life in higher education.

We will all be with you every step of the way!

HELLO FROM THE STUDENTS’ UNION (SU)

A big welcome to the University of Bedfordshire!

When you join the University you automatically become a member of our SU community for FREE! We are here to help every student get the most out of their university experience. We offer advice, support and the opportunity for you to have your voice heard. We want to ensure that you have fun, try new things, deepen your passions for hobbies and interests and meet wonderful new friends.

Beds SU has offices in Luton and Bedford where you will also find venues and a whole host of weekly events for students.

There will be plenty of events for you to enjoy during Welcome Week – keep an eye on our website for more or follow us on social media. We can’t wait to meet you.

Chidera, Amina, Ryan and Chidinma

Your current Beds SU Executive Team

ESSENTIAL CONTACTS

Course coordinators

Biochemistry

Dr Lindsay McDermott lindsay.mcdermott@beds.ac.uk

Biological Science

Food and Nutrition Science

Eleftheria Diakogiannaki eleftheria.diakogiannaki@beds.ac.uk

Forensic Science

Forensic Science and Criminology

Dr Vicki Barlow vicki.barlow@beds.ac.uk

Beds SU (Luton and Bedford) bedssu.co.uk help@bedssu.co.uk

Biomedical Science

Dr Zara Ross zara.ross@beds.ac.uk

Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences

Dr Gerta Cami-Kobeci gerta.cami-kobeci@beds.ac.uk

Pharmacology and Health Sciences

Dr Guy Grant guy.grant@beds.ac.uk

If you are joining our Foundation Year, your lead is Dr Eleftheria Diakogiannaki eleftheria.diakogiannaki@beds.ac.uk

WHAT TO EXPECTWELCOME

DURING WELCOME WEEK

We believe your university experience helps to create a strong sense of community. That is why taking part in your Welcome Week programme is so important.

Not only will you have the opportunity to talk to your academics about the different aspects of studying and what to expect over the coming weeks, but it is also the ideal time to get to know your academic team and fellow students. During Welcome Week, you will be invited to different sessions which cover a variety of topics and activities.

am

Day 1

Introduction to student support services, Students’ Union and Library Services. Ice breaker and social integration.

pm Visit the Freshers’ Fayre.

am

Day 2

Day 3

pm

Meet the course team and other staff from the School of Life Sciences.

Accessing your email and getting the most from BREO (our virtual learning environment). Q&A with current students. Sessions on communication skills and employability.

am Laboratory induction.

pm First meeting with your personal academic tutor (known as PAT).

We will be in touch with you closer to the time to let you know about specific activities and where they will be held.

Our colleagues in the student support and learning resources teams will also host sessions to help you explore the essential services you will use throughout your time with us.

Of course, Welcome Week wouldn’t be Welcome Week without the Freshers’ Fair, which is run by the University of Bedfordshire Students’ Union. They will host plenty of events and activities, so keep an eye on their website and follow them on social media to find out more (see page 5).

CHECKLIST YOUR

Remember to reply to your offers!

If you have received decisions from all the universities you applied to before 16 May, the UCAS deadline for replies is Thursday 6 June. Reply to your offers by signing into your UCAS application.

Registering for your course

Once you have met the conditions of your offer, you will receive an email to complete your online registration. Keep an eye on your emails and junk box to ensure you don’t miss it!

Everything you need for moving to university

If you’re moving home, here’s a handy checklist from UCAS to make sure you pack everything you need.

PREPARING FOR YOUR

FIRST WEEK

We want you to have the best possible start during your first week. To help you prepare, here are some useful links:

SOMETHING TO READ

Take a look at our School LinkedIn page to find out more about our student successes, guest lectures and workshops on campus and industry visits. There are so many exciting topics to cover that it’s hard to know where to start! Here are some useful links to get you started that are relevant to your courses:

• Pharmacogenomics – the future of pharmacy

• UN Sustainability Goals

• National Wildlife Crime Unit

SOMETHING

TO WATCH

• Watch this short video showing the fantastic facilities you will be using in our STEM building

• Enjoy an amazing virtual tour of our campus.

ABOUT THE CAMPUS

Take time to familiarise yourself with the layout of our campus and the names of buildings. This will help you get around with ease when you arrive.

• Luton campus

SOMETHING TO GET EXCITED ABOUT

Once you enrol as a student, you will have access to a range of discounts nationally, locally and on campus.

• Get the latest student discounts with TOTUM, the National Union of Students discount card and app.

• Check out the latest offers from the University of Bedfordshire SU

• Find out if you are eligible for scholarships, bursaries and other discounts

SOMETHING

TO DO

• In Bedfordshire

• Let Luton surprise you

• Love Bedford

ACCESSING YOUR TIMETABLE

Your personal timetable will be available on the website once you have fully registered with the University as a student. You can also access your timetable via the MyBedsLife app (see p.17 for more on how to download our award-winning app).

Remember, it is important that you attend all timetabled classes and course inductions.

ESSENTIAL LINKS

Academic Calendar

Academic information

Guide to referencing

Student Information Desk (SiD)

Student Support

YOUR

WHAT YOU WILL STUDY IN

YOUR FIRST YEAR

EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDYING YOUR SUBJECT

You are expected to attend classes, undertake preparatory reading when set and actively engage in lectures, seminars, workshops and other activities. You are also expected to get involved in our community of learning by taking part in extracurricular activities that are organised by the School.

We will support you throughout your learning experience to develop your academic skills and professional competencies to future-proof your academic ambitions and professional careers.

Here are some examples of the units you will study in your first year:

Depending on your course, you will also study some of the following units:

Human Anatomy and Physiology

Molecular Genetics

Skills in (your specific subject area).

Biochemistry and Microbiology

Evidence Examination Skills

Introduction to Criminology.

If you are taking the Foundation Year, you will study the following four units:

Skills for Higher Education in Life Sciences

Biological Systems and Diversity

Chemistry for Life Integrated project.

HOW YOU WILL BE ASSESSED

The course assessment strategy is closely aligned to the University’s teaching and learning strategy which is designed to:

• have an immediate relevance to the workplace

• draw on expertise by experience

• foster active learning and be learner-centred in approach.

A distinct feature of the course is the range of assessment tasks including authentic assessments designed in collaboration with professionals. This helps put into practice what you are learning in university and can help increase your confidence.

RANGE OF ASSESSMENTS

These can vary depending on the course you are studying, but here’s an example of what your assessments might include:

Laboratory reports

Poster/presentations

Practical assessments

Case studies

Multiple choice and written exams

In-class tests

Essays

Evidence examination notes

Witness statements

Court presentations Webinars.

Assessments are purposefully diverse and created to relate to industry practices.

UP TO DATE HOW YOU CAN KEEP

We use a virtual learning environment called BREO (Bedfordshire Resources for Education Online) which helps our students keep up to date with everything that’s happening.

Here you will find a range of online tools to support you during your studies, from information about your teaching team and links to live online sessions, to lecture slides and assessment information.

We advise all students to log in to BREO every day once you arrive on campus as it is regularly updated. You can only access BREO once you have registered with us as a student but you can read more about it on our website

ESSENTIAL LINKS

Get support with your learning and assignments Study Hub

Visit the Library

Begin@Beds Start your student journey

Thrive@Beds My Beds Life

Succeed@Beds Careers and Employability Service

Student Support

FREQUENTLY ASKED

QUESTIONS

Who do I contact if I struggle to attend classes or submit work?

We understand that everyone will face some difficulties now and again and we aim to be flexible. You are encouraged to discuss ongoing issues with your personal academic tutor or unit lead. For independent advice or for ongoing attendance issues you can contact studentengagement@beds.ac.uk. You can apply for an extension on your assignment by emailing mitigation@beds.ac.uk. You can find out more on our website

Who can help me with my assessments?

If you need support with your assignments you can contact our Study Hub which offers free professional support to help you develop a wide range of relevant and valuable academic skills. You can find out more on our website

What support is available for students with a learning difference or disability?

Our Disabilities team supports students with a range of disabilities including sensory and physical impairments, mental health difficulties, specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, and medical conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes, sickle cell anaemia and arthritis. You may be eligible for a Learning and Teaching Agreement, where you can discuss any reasonable adjustments needed for classroom learning and examinations. You can email disability@beds.ac.uk for further information and advice.

Are there clubs and activities I can get involved with?

Yes, the Students’ Union can tell you everything you need to know about sports clubs, activities and events for all our students. You can even set up your own society! Contact Beds SU by emailing beds.su@beds.ac.uk

All our students and staff can sign up for a free gym membership. This membership will also give you free Get Active sessions.

What if I’m struggling with my mental health at university?

The University has a range of services offering specialist help. You can email mentalhealth@beds.ac.uk for new or ongoing mental health support needs. To access our counselling services, email counselling@beds.ac.uk

Is there any support to help me manage my finances?

Our dedicated Student Money Advice team offers confidential financial advice, information and support. They can advise you on a range of funding options such as grants, loans, bursaries and scholarships, as well as guiding you on the best way to manage your finances. You can contact them by emailing studentmoney@beds.ac.uk

MyBedsLife

Our award-winning app MyBedsLife gives you access to everything the University has to offer. You can have a look around the app before you enrol on your course to get an idea of how it works. Once you’re a student, it will give you access to your emails, timetable, MyPrint balance, support services and much more. Plus you’ll get notifications to ensure you are always up to date.

SUPPORT STUDENT

Throughout your degree, you will have access to our Student Support teams, offering you practical and confidential advice and support.

Careers and Employability

Our Careers and Employability Service offers advice and support with everything from drafting the perfect CV and preparing for interviews to volunteering and graduate placements. You can access a range of online tools to help you in your career development and job search.

Community and faith

All students are welcome to join our exciting programme of activities or access our confidential, personal support – as well as a range of social activities and events. Visit us at the Tree House Centre at our Luton and Bedford campuses or find out more on the website

ESSENTIAL LINKS

Student Engagement

Mitigation

Mental Wellbeing

Disability Support

Student Money Advice

Student Support

Student Voice

Help us to enhance your student experience by using your student voice to celebrate the positives, make suggestions for change and let us know when and where we can do things better. Find out how you can get involved

Cost of Living Hub

Our Cost of Living Hub brings together the latest information, support and guidance for students affected by the rising cost of living. You can access the Hub via the MyBedsLife app (see p.17) or our website

Support+

We offer a wide range of support for students with varying needs and experiences including those with caring responsibilities; those facing homelessness; students who are estranged from their families; and much more. Find out how we can support you during your studies.

Support and Report

Respect, tolerance and inclusion are core values of our academic community. Support and Report is a confidential, centralised point of contact for all our students and staff to share concerns about offensive, threatening or anti-social behaviour, on or off campus. Find out more

THOUGHTS FINAL

Always remember, our team is here for you!

We know there’s a lot to take in when you start university. We’ll support you throughout, especially at the beginning. We are confident that you’ll love our friendly campus and everything the University of Bedfordshire has to offer.

Our team’s industry and research experience feeds directly into our teaching, creating a vibrant and practical-oriented learning environment.

You benefit from industry masterclasses and visits from a range of experts including Rothamsted Research; Glaxo Smith Kline; Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency; UK Health Security Agency; and Crime Scene Investigators from local and national Police Forces.

Our laboratories include a cell culture lab; an analytical science suite with HPLC, FTIR, GC-MS and DNA sequencing machines; and specialised industry-standard equipment for high-end pharma/biotech experiments.

HERE’S WHY YOU WILL LOVE STUDYING AT THE SCHOOL OF LIFE SCIENCES AT BEDFORDSHIRE

You can access our Student Skills Lab to master your practical techniques outside of scheduled classes. All students have the opportunity to conduct a practical laboratory project in their final year.

Our Biological Science course received 100% ratings for teaching staff explaining things well and support, and for the course being intellectually stimulating and developing knowledge and skills for the future.

We will support you throughout your studies – students gave our Forensic Science course an overall positivity score of 91% (NSS, 2023); 100% gave positive responses to receiving learning support from teaching staff.

Your employment prospects are strong – 85% of our full-time UK biosciences graduates are in highly skilled employment or graduate further study, 15 months after graduating (Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes for 2020/21, pub 2023).