Comprehensive Study Guide for Biomedical Sciences II (BMS II)
Course Overview and Academic Progression Requirements
Biomedical Sciences II (BMS II) is a core full-year course designed for biomedical and medical science students, spanning the entire academic year and carrying a value of . Because it is a foundational core course carrying , passing BMS II is a mandatory prerequisite for progressing into junior honors and the third year of study. Students who fail to satisfy the passing criteria for BMS II will not be permitted to advance into the third year.
Sustained and consistent work throughout both semesters is essential for maintaining academic standing and mastering the material before the final examination. The overarching goal of the course is to introduce and expand student knowledge across diverse umbrella disciplines within biomedical sciences. This broad foundation assists students in making informed decisions when choosing their specialized honors program for their third and fourth years, though current degree program enrollment remains flexible.
Key learning outcomes include developing a comprehensive understanding of human physiological systems, honing skills in scientific research, academic writing, peer review, data analysis, experimental design, critical evaluation of scientific evidence, and independent problem-solving.
Course Contacts and Locations
The Course Organizer is available for student inquiries via email or during in-person office visits at the Central Campus in the Hugh Robson Building, Office 214A. Co-organizer James Hunter is based in the Central Campus within the Old Medical School building.
For academic guidance and cohort support, Alethia Kelsey serves as the Cohort Lead for Biomedical Sciences, and Alison Rose serves as the Cohort Lead for Medical Sciences. Private consultation sessions with Alethia Kelsey can be arranged by booking through her listed office hours, or by emailing the cohort leads and course organizers directly.
Course Components and Delivery Structure
Biomedical Sciences II is delivered through four primary teaching components: lectures, study groups, data workshops, and practical classes. All course schedules, updates, and announcements are hosted on Learn.
Lectures take place three times per week. Monday and Tuesday lectures are held in the Ashworth Lecture Theater, while Friday lectures take place in the Larch Lecture Theater located within the Nucleus Building on the King's Building Campus. If a scheduled live lecture cannot be delivered in person, a pre-recorded replacement lecture will be published directly to Learn.
Study groups split the student cohort into small working groups of approximately per section, facilitated in person by an academic tutor. These sessions focus on core academic skills and course assessments. To participate effectively, students must complete all preparatory readings and online exercises on Learn prior to attending their assigned session.
Data workshops are delivered in person to build practical competency in data manipulation and statistical computing. Run by Crispin Georgian (Crispin Jordan), these workshops are supplemented by self-directed training exercises and dedicated staff office hours.
Practical classes comprise a total of six sessions across the academic year—three in Semester 1 and three in Semester 2. Each semester features two web-based laboratory practicals and one online practical module. Attendance at all scheduled practical sessions is mandatory to acquire essential technical skills and prepare for the second-semester practical assessment test.
Lecture Policies, Learning Quizzes, and Study Strategies
All live lectures are recorded and uploaded to Learn as soon as possible. While recordings provide a supplementary review resource, live attendance is strongly encouraged. Attendance prevents academic drop-off as the semester progresses, facilitates peer interaction, supports active note-taking, minimizes distractions, and promotes better knowledge assimilation. Research demonstrates a direct correlation between live lecture attendance and higher academic achievement.
Lecture recordings should be used strategically to review complex or fast-paced sections, rather than as a substitute for primary attendance. If concepts remain unclear after re-listening to a recording, students should contact the specific lecturer with targeted questions. Lecture "binge-watching" before exams is strongly discouraged; consistent, daily consolidation of material is required to handle the volume of content.
Learn features weekly, unassessed content quizzes linked to lecture topics. These quizzes permit unlimited attempts, provide immediate feedback, and allow students to identify knowledge gaps early in the learning process.
Study Groups and Practical Class Scheduling
Study groups meet during Week 3 and Week 5 of the semester across two allocated time slots. Students are assigned to specific groups numbered 1 through 16. Attendance is recorded by tutors. The Week 3 study group focuses on scientific essay writing and constructive peer evaluation. The Week 5 study group focuses on rigorous experimental design, emphasizing controls, methodology, and valid data interpretation.
Practicals 1 and 3 are conducted in person within Central Campus teaching laboratories. Students must verify their assigned practical group on Learn, as group assignments for Practical 1 and Practical 3 may differ due to lab timetabling constraints.
Practical 2 is an online practical completed independently via the LT platform. Students receive an email invitation containing registration instructions. Practical 2 must be completed prior to the final Q&A debrief session conducted by Mike Shibson on November 20. LT platform quizzes are integrated into the modules to deepen topic comprehension.
Data Analysis Workshop and R Software Training
In Week 2, four self-directed training exercises are released on Learn to train students in statistical analysis using the R software environment. Students are required to work through these exercises independently prior to their assigned workshop.
Crispin Jordan provides dedicated office hours (listed on Learn) to assist students encountering technical difficulties, software installation issues, or statistical coding errors.
In-person data workshops take place with students split across five assigned groups. These interactive sessions allow students to work through data analysis problems with real-time guidance from Crispin Jordan and graduate teaching demonstrators.
Overall Assessment Breakdown
The total course assessment for Biomedical Sciences II is split into two primary categories: In-Course Assessment ( of the final mark) and the Final Examination ( of the final mark).
In-Course Assessment components in Semester 1 include:
Scientific Essay 1: of total course mark.
Peer Review Exercise: of total course mark.
Data Analysis Test.
In-Course Assessment components in Semester 2 include:
Scientific Essay 2: Higher percentage weight than Essay 1, featuring a more complex prompt without accompanying study group sessions.
Practical Class Exam Test: of total course mark.
The Final Examination takes place in May and covers all course material presented across both Semester 1 and Semester 2.
Scientific Essay 1 and Peer Review Mechanism
Scientific Essay 1 topic allocations are released on Learn on the day following the introductory lecture. Students must research their allocated topic and draft a complete essay.
By Monday, October 19, students must submit an extract of approximately representing the middle section of their draft essay, complete with inline citations and a formal reference list. Submitting this draft extract on time automatically awards toward the total course mark. No extensions or late submissions are permitted for this draft extract.
Submitted essay extracts are anonymously distributed via Learn, with each student receiving two peer extracts. Students must evaluate both extracts against the formal marking criteria and write constructive, actionable feedback explaining how the writing, structure, and evidence can be improved.
Submitting both completed peer reviews by the stated deadline automatically awards the remaining toward the course mark, bringing the total Peer Review allocation to . No extensions are permitted for peer review evaluations.
Formal essay grading is performed by academic markers who provide individual feedback. Additionally, organized group feedback sessions with markers are conducted to review common errors and cohort expectations. Marker feedback from Essay 1 must be applied to improve performance on Essay 2 in Semester 2.
Online Tests and Final Examination Format
The Data Analysis Test (Semester 1) and Practical Class Exam Test (Semester 2) are conducted online using a multiple-choice format. Both tests are made available during a open window, but carry strict strict completion time limits once initiated:
Data Analysis Test duration: .
Practical Test duration: .
Students must start their test with sufficient time remaining in the window, as the system auto-submits all active attempts the moment the overall window closes, regardless of time remaining on the student's personal timer.
The May Final Examination is worth of the course mark and consists entirely of multiple-choice questions (MCQs):
worth each: Focus on factual recall and core anatomical/physiological definitions.
worth each: Focus on complex problem-solving, data application, and analytical synthesis.
A full formative mock examination is held in February within a defined online window. The mock exam mimics the final exam format and provides detailed thematic feedback to guide ongoing revision.
Mandatory Passing Rules and Extension Regulations
To pass Biomedical Sciences II, students must achieve an overall combined course mark of at least . However, overall performance alone is insufficient; students must strictly satisfy four independent hurdle requirements:
Final Exam Hurdle: Students must achieve a passing mark on the May Final Examination ( weight). Failing the May exam results in an automatic fail of BMS II, regardless of whether the student's overall course mark exceeds . Students who fail the May exam must sit a resit exam in August. Failing the August resit prevents progression to Year 3 and requires repeating BMS II.
Essay Submission & Average Hurdle: Students must formally submit both Essay 1 and Essay 2, achieving a combined average score of at least across the two essays. Failing to submit either essay results in an automatic course failure.
Test Completion & Average Hurdle: Students must attempt both the Data Analysis Test and the Practical Test, achieving a combined average score of at least across both tests. Failing to attempt either test results in an automatic course failure, even if the student's score on the attempted test exceeds .
Submission Rules & Extensions: Formal coursework extensions are strictly restricted to Scientific Essay 1 and Scientific Essay 2. Extensions are NOT permitted under any circumstances for the Peer Review submissions, the Data Analysis Test, or the Practical Test. Students facing severe illness or disruption must apply through the formal Exceptional Circumstances process.
Feedback Mechanisms and Student Representation
Students receive feedback through automated quiz answer keys on Learn, peer assessment comments, individual essay marker feedback, group marker debriefs, automated test scores, and optional individual final exam reviews arranged with the Course Organizer.
Discussion boards on Learn are established for each module and monitored regularly by course staff and James Hunter. Students are encouraged to post questions publicly on these boards so that academic responses benefit the entire cohort.
Students can provide feedback on the course by serving as a Student Program Representative (contacting James Hunter to attend Staff-Student Liaison Committee meetings), participating in the mid-course feedback survey, or completing the end-of-course evaluation.
Action Items for Week 1 and Extracurricular Support
During the first week of the academic year, students must complete the following mandatory setup tasks:
Thoroughly review all folders, handbooks, and information pages on Learn.
Record all coursework submission deadlines, test windows, and lecture times.
Verify assigned practical, study group, and data workshop groups. If a schedule conflict exists with another course, students must submit an official timetabling change request form immediately.
Attend the upcoming content lectures: Tuesday in the Ashworth Lecture Theater and Friday in the Larch Lecture Theater (Nucleus Building).
Check Learn for Essay 1 topic assignments and begin preliminary research.
Students interested in studying abroad during their third year should attend the informal Exchange Information Meeting on Wednesday, October 21.
To support student well-being and cohort building, free coffee, tea, and biscuits are hosted every Monday (starting Week 2) on Level 7 of the Swan Building on the King's Building Campus immediately following the Cells to Organism and Biomedical Sciences lectures. Cohort Leads Alethia Kelsey and Alison Rose attend these informal social gatherings to answer academic and administrative questions.