Foundation Studies - Undergraduate Pathway in Life Sciences

The Department of Life Sciences runs courses in Biosciences, Environmental Sciences, Life Sciences, Psychology and Sport Health and Exercise Sciences. With a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research, and a commitment to excellence, we aim to push the boundaries of understanding our environments, human health and performance.

The principal aim of the programme is to enable students to linguistically and academically negotiate the transition from school to university and be prepared for the demands of an undergraduate degree programme in an appropriate Life Sciences discipline.

The programme syllabus is designed around the acquisition of core academic skills and literacy development that underpins successful higher education: academic, research, IT, critical thinking and the promotion of self-awareness. Students learn through a combination of formal, interactive lectures in relevant content areas, interactive seminars, practical laboratory sessions and IT-enabled self-study opportunities: practical application of theoretical knowledge allows students to develop further skills and understanding of relevant topics and concepts.

Formative assessment opportunities are incorporated into each of the module blocks in the form of homework assignments, Moodle exercises and the opportunity to submit assignment draft for review prior to submission. The focus on academic literacy development in all parts of the course ensures that students develop strong linguistic competence and advanced numeracy skills as well as a mastery of their discipline at an appropriate level.

Through the course, students will be encouraged to engage appropriately with peers and tutors as members of an academic community. This will involve the development of critical self-awareness and personal literacy as students become more attuned to their identity as global citizens.

This is an intensive programme with 16 hours per week and a corresponding number of ongoing assessment tasks designed to provide a scaffolded structure for students at this entry level to Higher Education.

Formative assessment opportunities are incorporated into each of the module blocks in the form of regular homework assignments, Moodle exercises and the opportunity to submit an assignment draft for review prior to final submission. Each of the blocks will make use of the Navitas Moodle Virtual Learning Environment (typically for additional module resources, but also for blended content, as well as quizzes and coursework submissions).

Private study should be additional reading to support both the lecture material and as research for assignments.

This pathway leads to the following Brunel University London degrees:

• Biomedical Sciences BSc (Hons)
• Biomedical Sciences (Biochemistry) BSc (Hons)
• Biomedical Sciences (Genetics) BSc (Hons)
• Biomedical Sciences (Human Health) BSc (Hons)
• Biomedical Sciences (Immunology) BSc (Hons)
• Environmental Sciences BSc (Hons)
• Environmental Sciences MSci
• Life Sciences BSc (Hons)
• Psychology BSc (Hons)
• Psychology (Sport, Health and Exercise) BSc (Hons)
• Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences BSc (Hons)