Human Biology and Infectious Diseases
BSc (Hons)

2014-15 entry

Industrial Placement

Part-time study available

Work placement opportunity

International Students can apply

3 good reasons to study Human Biology and Infectious Diseases at Salford:

Extensive opportunities for work placements in local hospitals and research labs
Brings together human aspects of bioscience with applied aspects of health sciences or knowledge of infectious diseases
Leads to careers in public health, international health and the pharmaceutical and food industries.

Key Information

Course Code: BC15
Start Dates: September
Duration:

Three years full-time
Four years full-time with placement year
Up to six years part-time

Course Summary

This course focuses on human biology and the pathology, transmissions and epidemiology of infectious diseases affecting humans and animals. This is one of the few courses available outside medicine that combines aspects of human physiology, immunology and infectious diseases.

Watch our video

PhD student Michelle on her study and research at The University of Salford.

Related Courses

Course Details

Year 1

From Molecules to Microbes (20 credits)

This module focuses on the basic principles involved in the build-up of molecules from atoms: the formation, properties and importance of bio-organic molecules, the diverse nature of micro-organisms and their structure, function and importance.

Genetics (20 credits)

This module will help you develop an understanding of genes and genetics, and their influence on evolution and development. It looks at the basic principles of molecular genetics, and the function and evolution of genes in organisms.

Cell Biology (20 credits)

This module will look at the multidisciplinary nature of cell biology and the basic structure of cells, focusing on animal cells. It will help you develop a theoretical knowledge of the fundamental physiological and biochemical functions carried out by cells.

Biodiversity (20 credits)

This module focuses on the origins and diversity of living organisms (including humans), the environmental processes and their role in the generation of biodiversity.

Biological Skills (20 credits)

This module will help you develop practical laboratory skills relevant to cell, organismal, micro- and molecular biology which will form a basis for competence in biological and biochemical experimental work.

Study Skills (20 credits)

In this module you will learn by observation, investigation, comparison and engagement. You will develop practical learning and presentation methods which can be applied generically during year 1 and beyond. You will also gain an appreciation of Personal Development Planning and effective data handling, calculation and numerical skills.

Year 2

Molecular Biology and Genetics (20 credits)

The aim of this module is to provide you with a cohesive lecture and laboratory programme to enable you to become aware of mammalian molecular biology and genetics and to develop an understanding of theoretical and practical knowledge in the application of clinical laboratory techniques used for diagnosis.

Human Physiology (20 credits)

The aim of this module is to encourage an awareness of the physiological nature of life in humans and develop an understanding of form, function and adaptation in organ systems central to the maintenance of life and interaction with the environment.

Parasite and Vector Biology (20 credits)

This module looks at selected examples of pests and parasites and their impact on human health and human society. It gives an understanding of the life-cycles, basic systematics, transmission, pathology and control of the examples chosen.

Biological Research Skills (20 credits)

This module is to help you develop an ability to understand the basics of scientific research under the following areas in order to prepare you for future research-based activity:

critical evaluation of research-based literature
understanding experimental techniques and design
data interpretation, analysis and presentation
dissertation writing and presentation

Microorganisms in Action (20 credits)

This module provides detailed coverage of selected aspects of microbial physiology and the interactions between microbes and plants and animals.

Pathophysiology (20 credits)

The aim of this module is to develop an understanding of selected human physiological systems and what happens when they go wrong.

Year 3

In year 3 there are a tailored set of modules appropriate to the degree plus the inclusion of a detailed project in the area of Human Biology and Infectious Disease. You can undertake a lab-based research project for 40 credits and choose four modules from the following list or take a literature or data analysis project worth 20 credits plus five modules from the following. A key feature of this year is the inclusion of tutorial based Professional Skills within the project to enhance your employability

Biology of Parasites (20 credits)

This module looks at the importance of human and animal parasites, in relation to medical, veterinary or wild-life aspects, life-cycle biology, host response and the principles of parasite epidemiology and transmission. You will also study strategies for parasite detection, diagnosis and control. The module includes a unique field course to enable you to see parasites living in their natural environment.

Medical and Public Health Microbiology (20 credits)

In this module you will be introduced to medical and public health microbiology, practical skills, methods of isolation, identification and typing of bacteria from various sources.

Advanced Pathophysiology (20 credits)

The aim of this module is to develop an advanced understanding of selected human physiological systems and to gain an understanding of how failure of these systems can contribute to disease.

Clinical Immunology (20 credits)

This module looks at mammalian immunological mechanisms and the roles played by T and B cells/Lymphokines in generating an immune response. It helps you develop an understanding of the genetics of antibody diversity, HIV pathogensis and the current immunodiagnostic assays for infectious and non-infectious diseases.

Veterinary and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (20 credits)

This is a unique module that builds on the considerable research experience that staff at Salford have in Parasitology and infectious diseases. It covers the basics and epidemiology of this group of diseases from a holistic view.

Part-time structure

If you are studying part-time, you select two to four modules from each year of study, completing the rest of the modules for the year in the following year. This leads to a maximum six-year duration for a part-time degree. If studying part-time you do not have the placement option.

Entry Requirements

Qualification	Entry requirements
GCSE	Applicants will also need to have a minimum grade C pass in English and Mathematics at GCSE O level (or equivalent)
UCAS tariff points	240-280 points
GCE A level	240-280 points including A2 Biology
BTEC National Diploma	240-280 points
Scottish Highers	240-280 points including a science
Irish Leaving Certificate	240-280 points from Higher Level including a science
International Baccalaureate	28 points with at least one science subject from Group 4

Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)

We positively welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to successfully pursue a programme of study in higher education. Students who do not have the traditional entry requirements may be able to apply through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme. Support in preparing for the written assessment is available from the University.

Please note that you should discuss the possibility of being considered for the scheme with the Admissions Tutor before making an application. Please contact the Environment and Life Sciences school office to speak with the Admissions Tutor for this course: +44(0)161 295 4656

Applicant profile

We are looking for applicants with a biology background who are motivated to specialise in the areas of public health, tropical disease and infection biology.

Teaching

You will learn through a combination of:

Lectures
Practical classes
Small group tutorials
Research projects
Guided reading
Residential and day field courses.

Assessment

Assessment throughout is by a combination of coursework and examination, with coursework accounting for around one third of the marks in years 1 and 2 and up to a half in year 3. Continuous assessment includes the research project, laboratory reports, essays, data analysis, and presentations. The final degree award is weighted to reflect year 2 (25%) and year 3 (75%) performances.

Employability

This degree is ideal for careers in biomedicine, sports science, health care, health promotion, pharmaceutical and food industries and forensic science, both in the UK and internationally. Many of our students continue onto postgraduate taught and research degree courses.

Career Prospects

This degree is ideal for careers in biomedicine, sports science, health care, health promotion, pharmaceutical and food industries and forensic science, both in the UK and internationally.

Many of our students continue onto postgraduate taught and research degree courses. Our graduates become employed in bioscience with companies such as AstraZeneca, research establishments such as the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, or carry on to further study within six months of finishing the course.

Alumni Profile

Yvette Merga - 2004 graduate

Yvette went on to Masters level study at Salford, a PhD at Liverpool and is now working as a research scientist on an EU-funded project on food-borne infection.

“I really enjoyed my time at Salford Uni, and I feel that the Human Biology and Infectious Diseases course provided me with very interesting and useful knowledge about public health, infectious diseases and microbiology from experts in these fields, which other biology degrees simply don’t offer, as well as many transferable skills essential for a variety of careers. It gave me a great background from which to start my career as a research scientist.”

Links with Industry

We encourage all of our students to take up an additional industrial placement year, which we will help to arrange, between years 2 and 3 of the full-time course, making a four-year course overall. In many cases this can be a salaried position with a major company or have financial support linked to a public health laboratory or hospital (such as the Respiratory Physiology Unit at the Royal Aintree Hospital in Liverpool).

In our experience, final degree results and employability are enhanced for students who undertake a placement year. The placement also counts towards the final degree classification as part of the year 2 mark.

Recent Human Biology and Infectious Diseases students have undertaken placements at the Wolfson Imaging Centre in Manchester, the Clinical Epidemiology unit at Manchester and at TSC Ltd in Heywood.

Placement Opportunities