Lancaster University

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Summary

The Life Sciences foundation route gives students solid academic knowledge in cell biology and physiology as well as in biochemistry. In addition to subject specific knowledge gain, students will also develop solid English language skills and will be able to communicate effectively and to understand verbal and written instructions. At the end of the course students will be ready to move on to further studies in a range of degrees in the field of Life Science.

Course structure: There are core modules and route modules. You take 3 modules per term plus Project Study in the final term. Students are assessed by a combination of examinations, coursework, presentations and extended essays.

Core modules

Foundation English Skills 1 (FES 1): Read academic texts, write extended texts, write subjective notes, listen effectively and participate in classroom discussions.

Foundation English Skills 2 (FES 2): Improve your abilities developed in FES1 with greater accuracy, speed, organisation and presentation.

Foundation English Skills 3 (FES 3): Improve all your abilities developed in FES2 with greater accuracy, speed, cohesion, organisation and presentation.

Project Study: Complete a self-study project on a topic that you will take, in consultation with your tutor, from the academic discipline that you will subsequently study at degree level.

Core Mathematics: Learn to understand and interpret straight lines and linear equations, set theory and probability, statistics, linear programming, indices and logarithms, and experimental laws.

Route modules

Cell Biology: Learn about biological molecules, cellular structure, cell division, movement through cell membranes, enzymes and metabolic pathways.

Physiology: Learn about the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system, the digestive system, osmoregulation, control and co-ordination, and reproduction.

Chemistry 1: Learn formulae, equations and moles, atomic structure, introduction to redox systems, thermodynamics and bonding.

Chemistry 2: Learn about equilibria, acid-based equilibria, kinetics and organic chemistry.

Further Studies in Biology and Chemistry: Develop your understanding of genetics, ecology and plant biology plus inorganic chemistry, oxidation/reduction reactions and transition element chemistry.

Key facts