BI0FB1: Foundation Biology 1

Module code: BI0FB1

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: F

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor Liam McGuffin, email: l.j.mcguffin@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Duncan McMillan, email: d.g.mcmillan@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2026/7

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 28 May 2026

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module serves as the entry point for the study of biology, establishing the fundamental "hardware" of life. It provides students with a comprehensive foundation in the molecular building blocks of living organisms, the cellular machinery that sustains life, and the major physiological systems that enable the survival of multicellular organisms. This foundation is essential for understanding the more complex mechanisms of control and inheritance covered in Semester 2.

The aims of this module are to:

• Provide a fundamental understanding of the molecular basis of life, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids.
• Explore the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and their organelles.
• Learn and understand the transcription/translation processes essential for cell processes
• Examine the critical energy-harvesting pathway of respiration.
• Investigate the anatomy and physiology of key mammalian organ systems (heart, liver, kidneys).

Develop core laboratory and data interpretation skills.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that the student will be able to:

1. Describe the chemical structures and biological roles of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids
2. Examine the structure and function of eukaryotic cells, relating cell diversity to function.
3. Explain basic biochemical processes in cell function such as transcription/translation processes and cellular respiration.

Describe the structure and function of the mammalian circulatory and excretory systems.

Module content

• Biomolecules and reactions: Structure and function of carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and proteins, and their roles in living organisms
• Cell Biology: Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic structure; organelles; cell diversity and specialisation.
• Transcription and Translation: RNA synthesis steps; Condon tables; Protein synthesis steps; Examine the role of different enzymes in the process.
• Mammalian Physiology:
  • The Circulatory System: Heart structure and blood vessel function.
  • The Excretory System: Kidney structure, filtration, and osmoregulation.
• Bioenergetics: Respiration (aerobic/anaerobic).

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module is designed to mirror the delivery of Part 1 modules in SBS.

Weekly lectures introduce students to the principles of the subjects studied. This is expected to be enhanced by significant additional study by students to review lecture material and include background reading.

Formative and summative practical classes will introduce students to biological laboratory work and provide experience in gathering and analysing data. Data analysis and interpretation will be integrated into the assessments.

Study hours

At least 20 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each calendar day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three calendar days;
• where the piece of work is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in you Individual Learning Plan), the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three calendar days of the deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

Where a piece of work is submitted late after a deadline which has been revised owing to an extension granted through the Assessment Adjustments policy and process (self-certified or otherwise), it will be subject to the maximum penalty (i.e., considered to be more than three calendar days late). This will also apply when such an extension is used in conjunction with a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Semester 1, Teaching Week 8: Practical 1 - a BB test focused on data analysis from the practical class, 10 questions.

Semester 1, Teaching Week 12: Practical 4 - a proforma report focused on data analysis from the practical class, draw an evolutionary tree.

Reassessment

Additional costs