View Specification DocumentCore Concepts in Human Biological Sciences 2 BIOL2040
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Medicine Dentistry and Nursing
- Credits: 30
- Level: Level 2 (SCQF level 8)
- Typically Offered: Semester 1
- Available to Visiting Students: Yes
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
This course examines the organisation of the human body from cells and tissues to major systems, emphasising how structure underpins physiological function. Students will explore mechanisms of communication and integration that maintain homeostasis and support coordinated biological processes. The course also develops skills in interpreting scientific information and contributes to broader practical and graduate skill development within the life sciences.
Timetable
Typically four lectures per week at 12pm or 4pm (Monday to Friday), plus one active session (e.g. a 2-3 hour laboratory or group-based workshop). Additional non-timetabled directed-learning tasks are also included.
Requirements of Entry
Normally, grade D in both the Level-1 Biology courses and grade D in EITHER Chemistry-1 OR in Science Fundamentals-1X and -1Y.
Excluded Courses
None.
Assessment
The course will be assessed by means of a 1-hour examination paper in the April/May diet (30%), class test(s) (30%), and portfolio (40%). The written examinations will normally comprise MCQs. The portfolio will include activities related to research skills, such as data interpretation and a written evaluation of a research article.
Main Assessment In: December
Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? No
It is the default expectation that all courses will offer opportunities for reassessment or deferred assessment. Where it is not possible to offer this in some assessment components, the grade achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade, and any exceptions for this course are described below.
[No exceptions]
Course Aims
The aims of the course are to:
■ Provide an overview of the structure and function of the human body from cells, tissues and body systems and illustrate how homeostasis is maintained in response to development, disease, physical demands or external influences.
■ Introduce key laboratory approaches and the basic principles of experimental design used in human biological sciences.
■ Develop students' ability to understand and interpret data and explore scenarios relevant to human biological sciences.
■ Support students' development of ethical awareness, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) perspectives, and broader graduate skills relevant to the life sciences.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
■ Explain the organisation of selected human body systems at the cellular and tissue levels and relate structural features to function.
■ Discuss the principles of homeostasis and explain how neural, endocrine and other communication systems coordinate responses to internal or external influences.
■ Interpret data and apply to relevant scenarios to explain how human biological systems respond in health and disease.
■ Describe key practical techniques used in human biological sciences and their application in research and practice.
■ Communicate human biological concepts clearly and effectively, selecting appropriate terminology, style and level of detail for different audiences and purposes.
■ Explain and reflect on the relevance of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and broader graduate attributes within the context of human biological sciences.