Biological Sciences
Degree Programmes for
Third Year Undergraduates
Biology
Environmental Biology
Genetics
Human Genetics
Zoology
Academic Year 2009-2010
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CONTENTS
Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 3
Term Dates ............................................................................................................................ 4
The B.Sc. Tutors .................................................................................................................... 4
Administrative Staff ................................................................................................................ 4
UCL’s Common Timetable ..................................................................................................... 5
Degree Structure: Biology Generalist Year 3 ......................................................................... 7
Degree Structure: Biology of Cells Year 3 ............................................................................. 8
Degree Structure: Biology of Organisms Year 3 .................................................................... 9
Degree Structure: Environmental Biology Year 3 ................................................................ 11
Degree Structure: Genetics Year 3 ...................................................................................... 12
Degree Structure: Human Genetics Year 3 ......................................................................... 13
Degree Structure: Zoology Year 3 ....................................................................................... 14
PORTICO: The UCL Student Information Service ............................................................... 14
On-line module registration ...................................................................................................... 16
Selection screen – optional modules ..................................................................................... 16
Selection screen – elective modules ...................................................................................... 17
Validation/Confirmation of selections ..................................................................................... 18
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Introduction
This booklet introduces you to your 3rd year degree programme structure. Other options
may be available that are not listed in this booklet – please consult with your Degree
Tutor.
There is no individual course unit information within this handbook. You will find detailed
course information by referring to various websites, listed below are the ones you should
find useful when you are deciding which courses to take.
Faculty of Life Sciences: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/lifesciences-faculty/
The Faculty web page has information about all courses within the Faculty, it also has
links to the CMIS timetabling system and allows you to create a personalised timetable
list.
Biological Sciences: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/lifesciences-faculty/degree-
programmes/biological-sciences
Our website has a full list of our courses. Most course pages contain further information
such as lecture notes and details of the student course questionnaire summary.
Portico: www.ucl.ac.uk/portico
Portico contains course information across UCL including assessment details. You will
need to use Portico to enter your course choices, further information about how to do this
can be found towards the end of this handbook.
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Term Dates
Term Dates for the 2009-2010 Academic Year are as follows:
Term Date
First Term Monday 28 September 2009 - Friday 18 December 2009
Second Term Monday 11 January 2010 - Friday 26 March 2010
Third Term Monday 26 April 2010 - Friday 11 June 2010
Reading week 9-13 November 2009
Reading week 15-19 February 2010
Exams will be scheduled between 4th and 28th May. There will be post exam sessions so
students are required to be at UCL until the end of term – Friday 11th June 2010.
Reading weeks will be observed but you will be required to remain in London as
some courses run tests and practicals even though there are no lectures
scheduled.
The B.Sc. Tutors
Dr Paola Oliveri Biology of Cells p.oliveri@ucl.ac.uk
Prof Roger Wotton Biology Generalist r.wotton@ucl.ac.uk
Dr Max Telford Biology of Organisms m.telford@ucl.ac.uk
Dr John Pearson Environmental Biology john.pearson@ucl.ac.uk
Dr Mark Thomas Genetics m.thomas@ucl.ac.uk
Dr Mark Thomas Human Genetics m.thomas@ucl.ac.uk
Dr Max Telford Zoology m.telford@ucl.ac.uk
Administrative Staff
Kathryn Ball Teaching Administrator kathryn.ball@ucl.ac.uk
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UCL’s Common Timetable
The 2009-10 academic year will see the introduction of a new timetable structure for
UCL. All courses will be taught in ‘common’ teaching sessions (blocks of 2 hours or
more). The aims of this process were to:
1. Facilitate interdisciplinary study: to increase student choice
2. Facilitate interdisciplinary study: to enable the introduction of innovative degree
programmes
3. Simplify the timetable structure and bring clarity to the agendas of students and
staff
4. Provide up-to-date IT facilities for timetabling
5. Use teaching spaces more efficiently
The introduction of this new timetable will bring about some consistency across College.
Teaching will now be delivered across ten weeks terms 1 and 2. The first week of term 1
is induction week and no teaching will be scheduled – although there may be introductory
sessions for you to attend. All Faculties will now use reading weeks. No lectures will be
scheduled during this time but some courses will run tests or practicals. You should not
consider this to be ‘half term’. Please DO NOT arrange to go away or you could miss
important aspects of your course.
The block structure of the common timetable is shown below. For example a course
assigned to block A will taught from 9-11 on Mondays and 11-1 on Thursdays. Not all the
scheduled time will be filled with teaching. A course may be assigned an additional
afternoon block as well.
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Block A Block B Block C Block D Block E
9
AM
10
AM
Block C Block D Block E Block A Block B
11
AM
12
PM
1
Lunch time - no teaching
PM
Block F Block G Block H Block I
2
PM
3
No teaching on
PM
4 Wednesday
afternoons
PM
5
PM
5
The following pages show your compulsory courses and give details of when they are
taught. You must select optional courses that run in your free blocks.
Please note: Work is still continuing on the Common Timetable, so the information
we provide here is guidance only. Whilst we are confident that your core modules
will not change blocks, it is possible courses listed as options may change
throughout the summer.
Therefore, it will be your responsibility to double check your timetable again before
term starts, and before entering your options on Portico. UCL is working on a
‘timetable tool’ where you can put certain options in and see when they are
running – we will of course let you know when this is available, it is likely to be
early September.
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Degree Structure: Biology Generalist Year 3
Degree Tutor: Professor Roger Wotton
Course Code Course Title Unit Block Term
Core*
BIOL3005 Introduction to Research 1.5
BIOL3004 Literature Review 1
Optional
ANAT3030 Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology 1 G&I 1&2
ANAT3050 Advanced Molecular Cell Biology 0.5 E 1
BIOC3004 Advanced Molecular Biology 1 A&F 1&2
BIOC3005 Molecular Basis of Cellular Regulation 0.5 G 1
BIOC3010 Bioinformatics: Genes, Proteins & Computers 0.5 B 2
BIOC3011/12/13/17 Biochemistry of Health and Disease 0.5 C 2
BIOL3002 Plants, Environment and Climate Change 0.5 C 1
BIOL3003 Aquatic Biology 0.5 C 2
BIOL3008 Species Conservation 0.5 A 1
BIOL3010 Molecular Evolution (last 5 wks of term) 0.5 E 2
BIOL3011 Advanced Human Genetics 0.5 C&I 2
BIOL3012 Sex, Genes and Evolution (first 5 wks of term) 0.5 E 2
BIOL3013 Human Genetics: Disease to Gene Therapy 0.5 C&G 1
BIOL3017 Biology of Ageing 0.5 E 1
BIOL3018 Vertebrate Life and Evolution 0.5 D&I 2
INFN3002 Clinical Microbiology 0.5 A 2
INFN3003 Medical Virology 0.5 C 2
IMMN3008 Immunology in Health & Disease 0.5 C&G 1
LANG**** Modern Languages at various levels 0.5 Various
VIRL3001 Molecular Virology 0.5 B 1
* Select either BIOL3005 or BIOL3004
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Degree Structure: Biology of Cells Year 3
Degree Tutor: Dr Paola Oliveri
Course Course Title Unit Block Term
Code
Core*
BIOL3005 Introduction to Research 1.5
BIOL3004 Literature Review 1
Optional
ANAT3003 Mechanisms of Development 0.5 B 1
ANAT3004 Mechanisms of Development (Practical) 0.5 H 1
ANAT3030 Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology 1 G&I 1&2
ANAT3050 Advanced Molecular Cell Biology 0.5 E 1
BIOC3003 Advanced Biomolecular Mechanisms 0.5 C&H 1
BIOC3004 Advanced Molecular Biology 1 A&F 1&2
BIOC3005 Molecular Basis of Cellular Regulation 0.5 G 1
BIOC3010 Bioinformatics 0.5 B 2
BIOC3016 Genes to Disease 0.5 B 1
BIOL3003 Aquatic Biology 0.5 C 2
E(last
BIOL3010 Molecular Evolution 0.5 5wks) 2
BIOL3011 Advanced Human Genetics 0.5 C&I 2
E(last
BIOL3012 Sex, Genes and Evolution 0.5 5wks) 2
BIOL3013 Human Genetics: Disease to Gene 0.5 C&G 1
Therapy
BIOL3017 Biology of Ageing 0.5 E 1
BIOL3018 Vertebrate Evolution 0.5 D&I 2
IMMN3008 Immunology in Health and Disease 0.5 C&G 1
LANG**** Modern Languages at various levels 0.5 Various
PHOL3004 Cell Signalling 0.5 C&G 1
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VIRL3001 Molecular Virology 0.5 B 1
* Select either BIOL3005 or BIOL3004
Degree Structure: Biology of Organisms Year 3
Degree Tutor: Dr Max Telford
Course Course Title Unit Block Term
Code
Core*
BIOL3005 Introduction to Research 1.5
BIOL3004 Literature Review 1
Recommended
BIOL3002 Plants, Environment and Climate 0.5 C 1
Change
BIOL3003 Aquatic Biology 0.5 C 2
BIOL3008 Species Conservation and Biodiversity 0.5 A 1
BIOL3018 Vertebrate Life and Evolution 0.5 D&I 2
Optional
ANAT3105 Clock Sleep and Biological Time 0.5 C 2
BIOC3016 Genes to Disease 0.5 B 1
BIOL3010 Molecular Evolution (last 5 wks of term) 0.5 E 2
BIOL3012 Sex, Genes and Evolution (first 5 wks of 0.5 E 2
term)
BIOL3017 Biology of Ageing 0.5 E 1
LANG**** Modern Languages at various levels 0.5 Various
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*Select either BIOL3005 or BIOL3004
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Degree Structure: Environmental Biology Year 3
Degree Tutor: Dr John Pearson
Course Course Title Unit Block Term
Code
Core*
BIOL3005 Introduction to Research 1.5
BIOL3004 Literature Review 1
Optional
BIOL3002 Plants, Environment and Climate Change 0.5 C 1
BIOL3003 Aquatic Biology 0.5 C 2
BIOL3008 Species Conservation and Biodiversity 0.5 A 1
BIOL3012 Sex, Genes and Evolution (first 5 wks of 0.5 E 2
term)
BIOL3018 Vertebrate Evolution 0.5 D&I 2
GEOG3004 Coastal and Estuarine Environments 0.5 D 2
GEOG3007 Past Global Environment Change 0.5 D 2
GEOG3012 Environmental Management II 0.5 F 1
GEOG3037 Climatology (May not run 09/10) 0.5 D 1
Restoration and Management of
GEOG3042 Freshwater Ecosystems 0.5 E 2
GEOG3038 Water and Development in Africa 0.5 I 1
*Select either BIOL3005 or BIOL3004
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Degree Structure: Genetics Year 3
Degree Tutor: Dr Mark Thomas
Course Course Title Unit Block Term
Code
Core*
BIOL3005 Introduction to Research 1.5
BIOL3004 Literature Review 1
Mandatory
BIOL3012 Sex, Genes and Evolution (first 5 wks of term) 0.5 E 2
Optional
ANAT3003 Mechanisms of Development 0.5 B 1
ANAT3004 Mechanisms of Development (Practical) 0,5 H 1
BIOC3004 Advanced Molecular Biology 1 A&F 1&2
BIOC3010 Bioinformatics 0.5 B 2
BIOL3010 Molecular Evolution (last 5 wks of term) 0.5 E 2
BIOL3011 Advanced Human Genetics 0.5 C&I 2
BIOL3013 Human Genetics: Disease to Gene to Therapy 0.5 C&G 1
BIOL3017 Biology of Ageing 0.5 E 1
IMMN3008 Immunology in Health & Disease 0.5 C&G 1
LANG**** Modern Languages 0.5 Various
VIRL3001 Molecular Virology 0.5 B 1
* Choose either BIOL3004 or BIOL3005
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Degree Structure: Human Genetics Year 3
Degree Tutor: Dr Mark Thomas
Course Code Course Title Unit Block Term
Core*
BIOL3005 Introduction to Research 1.5
BIOL3004 Literature Review 1
Mandatory Human Genetics: Disease to Gene to
BIOL3013 Therapy 0.5 C&G 1
BIOL3011 Advanced Human Genetics 0.5 C&I 2
Optional
ANAT3003 Mechanisms of Development 0.5 B 1
ANAT3004 Mechanisms of Development (Practical) 0.5 H 1
ANAT3029 Neurobiology of Neurodegenerative 1 E 2
Diseases
BIOC3004 Advanced Molecular Biology 1 A&F 1&2
BIOC3010 Bioinformatics 0.5 B 2
Molecular Genetics of Disease and
BIOC3013 Carcinogenesis 0.5 F 2
BIOL3010 Molecular Evolution (last 5 wks of term) 0.5 E 2
BIOL3017 Biology of Ageing 0.5 E 1
LANG**** Modern Languages 0.5 Various
VIRL3001 Molecular Virology 0.5 B 1
* Choose either BIOL3004 or BIOL3005
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Degree Structure: Zoology Year 3
Degree Tutor: Dr Max Telford
Course Code Course Title Unit Block Term
Core*
BIOL3005 Introduction to Research 1.5
BIOL3004 Literature Review 1
Recommended
BIOL3008 Species Conservation and 0.5 A 1
Biodiversity
BIOL3018 Vertebrate Life and Evolution 0.5 D&I 2
Optional
ANAT3003 Mechanisms of Development 0.5 B 1
ANAT3004 Mechanism Development 0.5 H 1
ANAT3105 Clocks, Sleep and Biological Time 0.5 C 2
BIOC3010 Bioinformatics 0.5 B 2
Plants, Environment and Climate
BIOL3002 Change 0.5 C 1
BIOL3003 Aquatic Biology 0.5 C 2
BIOL3010 Molecular Evolution (last 5 wks of 0.5 E 2
term)
BIOL3012 Sex, Genes and Evolution (first 5 0.5 E 2
wks of term)
BIOL3017 Biology of Ageing 0.5 E 1
LANG**** Modern Languages 0.5 Various
* Choose either BIOL3004 or BIOL3005
PORTICO: The UCL Student Information Service
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You will need to select your course choices on Portico, you must not do this until you
have met with your Degree Tutor to discuss your options, a meeting will be arranged
before the end of the third term.
UCL has recently introduced a new Student System which is known as PORTICO – The
UCL Student Information Service.
Access to PORTICO is available to everyone across UCL – both staff and students alike
– via the web portal www.ucl.ac.uk/portico.
You will need to logon using your UCL userid and password, which were issued to you
when you enrolled. These are the same as the ones used for accessing UCL restricted
web pages, UCL email and the Windows Terminal Service (WTS). If you do not know
them, you should contact the IS Helpdesk as soon as possible
(www.ucl.ac.uk/is/helpdesk). Please remember that passwords automatically expire after
150 days, unless they have been changed. Warnings are sent to your UCL email address
during a 30 day period, prior to your password being reset.
- You can read your UCL email on the web at www.webmail.ucl.ac.uk
- You can change your password on the web, at any time, at
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/is/passwords/changepw.htm.
Passwords cannot be issued over the phone unless you are registered for the User
Authentication Service, see www.ucl.ac.uk/is/helpdesk/authenticate/. We strongly advise
that you register for this service. If you have not registered for the User Authentication
Service you will need to visit the IS Helpdesk in person or ask them to post a new
password to your registered home or term-time address. More information can be found
at http://www.ucl.ac.uk/is/helpdesk/.
As a student you can take ownership of your own personal data by logging on to
PORTICO.
In PORTICO you can:
edit your own personal data e.g. update your home and term addresses, contact
numbers and other elements of your personal details;
complete online module registration – i.e. select the modules you would like to
study, in accordance with the rules for your programme of study (subject to formal
approval & confirmation on Portico by the relevant teaching department and your
parent department);
view data about courses/modules - i.e. information on courses/modules available
either in your home department or elsewhere to help you choose your optional
modules / electives. See page 13 for further information.
view your own examination results online;
As before, any continuing student requiring official confirmation of their results, or any
graduating student requiring additional copies of their transcript, should refer to the
information for obtaining an official transcript at
www.ucl.ac.uk/registry/current/examinations/transcripts/
If you have any comments or suggestions for PORTICO then please e-mail:
portico_web_feedback@ucl.ac.uk
15
Documents explaining how to use the various functions in Portico are available from your
personalised screen when you log in.
On-line module registration
This facility enables you to choose your modules in accordance with the rules for your
programme of study. Note that Portico does not include timetabling information, so
you should check with the teaching department concerned to ensure that your
choice of any optional/elective module does not clash with any of your other
modules/classes. In addition, many departments have specific procedures for
approving module selections/signing students up so you should ensure that you
familiarise yourself with these. For example, the Language Centre requires students to
go to the Centre where their level of language competency is assessed.
You can access the Module Selection screen in Portico via the option ‘Select your
modules/course components’ in the Student Academic Details container. Clicking on this
option opens the following screen:
The top of the screen shows any compulsory modules which you have to take. To
complete the module registration process you should select any optional/elective
modules as listed at the bottom of the screen. Clicking on the ‘Select’ button next to the
appropriate rule, which will open the optional/elective selection screen.
Selection screen – optional modules
If the rule specifies choosing a module from a defined list (an optional module), you will
be presented with a screen as follows:
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Click in the ‘Select’ box next to the appropriate module to choose the module(s) you wish
to take. To view further details about the module, click on the module name. The rule in
the header above the list of modules states how many modules/credits you should
choose. You must enter the correct number and then click on the ‘Submit Selections’
button to return to the main screen.
To return to the main screen without submitting any selections, click on the ‘Cancel
Selection’ button.
Selection screen – elective modules
If the rule specifies choosing ‘any undergraduate’ or ‘any postgraduate module’ (an
elective module, subject to approval), clicking on the ‘Select’ button next to the
appropriate rule on the main screen will open the following screen:
As with the optional module selection screen, the rule in the header will state how many
modules/credits you should choose. You should input the appropriate module code(s) in
the module box and insert an ‘A’ in the ‘Occ’ (Occurrence) field. Alternatively, you can
17
use the ‘Search’ button to find a module. Use the ‘Submit Selections’ button to enter the
modules, or the ‘Cancel selections’ button to return to the main screen without submitting
anything.
Validation/Confirmation of selections
Once you have completed all your selections, ensure that they comply with any
‘Overarching rule’ indicated in the ‘Overarching’ column on the main screen and then
click on the ‘Submit Selections’ button on the main screen.
Once you have submitted your selections, you will be presented with a final screen,
where you can either undo your last change or confirm your selections by clicking on the
‘Confirm Selections’ button. Note that once you have clicked on this button you
cannot go back – you will then need to contact the departmental office in your
parent department to make any amendments to your selections. Following your
confirmation, you will be presented with a screen that confirms you have completed the
module registration process, listing the modules you have selected.
All of your selections are subject to the approval of the teaching department for the
module and your parent department. You will receive an automatic email to your UCL
email address if any of your selections are rejected and you must ensure that you
respond to this by contacting the departmental office in your parent department, whom
you should also contact if you wish to amend a selection at any time. You can check on
the approval status for each of your modules by clicking on the ‘View Module Selection
status’ option in your Student Academic Details container.
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