Life Sciences International Foundation Year

Academic English Skills
Academic English Skills aims to provide thorough training in the language and related academic skills which will enable international students to best achieve their academic potential at university. Our Academic English programme is validated by UK ENIC, the UK government agency responsible for providing information and expert opinion on qualifications and skills worldwide.

You will develop awareness and competency in a range of language-related academic skills, including the processes of academic writing, effective and extensive reading strategies, effective participation in seminars and delivery of presentations, and listening to and recording information effectively from lectures. You will also develop the accuracy and range of written and spoken language required to use language effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence in an academic context.

Alongside your classes, your studies will be supported by an online learning platform, providing you with a range of tasks and activities specifically designed to develop and extend your language and academic skills outside the classroom and to give you more control over your own learning. 

Sustainable Innovation for Emerging Futures
On this Sustainable Innovation for Emerging Futures module, you will learn the skills to tackle key global sustainability issues head on in areas including food, transport, technology and healthcare. The module positions you as a key actor and helps you explore how you might respond to these generational challenges through your career and life. The module will help you see yourself as capable and responsible as you work in interdisciplinary teams to design solutions and communicate your ideas to a wider audience. This is a central part of the Learn to Innovate Curriculum and focuses on leveraging and applying disciplinary understanding to solve real-world problems. Indicative content includes sustainable solution design, project work, interdisciplinary collaboration, leveraging disciplinary understanding, using data to make informed decisions, and reflection as a key driver of development.

All students also take part in Personal Tutorials, the Student Leadership Programme and are eligible to enter the Sustainable Enterprise Competition.

Mathematics for Science

In the Mathematics for Science module you will learn to apply mathematical methods, concepts and theories in a range of scientific scenarios. You will develop your ability to approach problems analytically then select and deploy techniques to solve them using the terminology and mathematical notation needed for success in UK University study. You will be inspired by applications of your subject that have changed the world and explore real world case studies such as the innumerable applications of mathematics crucial to space telecommunication and satellites including the work of the University of Surrey’s world-class Space Centre. Indicative module content includes quadratic equations, logarithms, trigonometry, polynomial functions, differentiation and integration.

Cell Biology and Genetics

In the Cell Biology and Genetics module you will learn to identify key connections between concepts, methods and theories in biology. You will build confidence applying theories, methods and principles in biology to a variety of situations and problems, and develop the skills to discuss the significance of experimental results, find solutions and draw conclusions. You will be inspired by applications of your subject that have changed the world and explore real world case studies such the 2020 Nobel-prize-winning work on CRISPR DNA techniques that has transformed gene-editing. Indicative module content includes biochemistry and cell biology, genetics, ecology and experimental technique.

Core Chemistry

In the Core Chemistry module you will learn to solve problems and explain phenomena in chemistry drawing on the knowledge and using the accurate terminology you need for success on UK science degrees. You will build confidence communicating fundamentals scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures in chemistry. You will be inspired by applications of your subject that have changed the world and explore real world case studies such as the Haber-Bosch process for nitrogen fertiliser production without which the world's population could only be sustained at just over half its current level, or the PCR, which allows forensic science, genetic sequencing and innumerable medical applications. Indicative module content includes formulae, equations and moles; bonding and forces; redox; transition metals and thermodynamics.

Physiology for Life Scientists

In the Physiology for Life Scientists module you will learn how to apply knowledge of theories, methods, and models in biology to a variety of situations and problems using scientific terminology appropriate to UK University study. You will develop the skills to analyse and evaluate arguments demonstrating an awareness of key areas of debate relevant to research themes within biology. The module will motivate you and build your confidence through problem solving such that you come to see how deepening your understanding of Physiology might enable you to meaningfully innovate as a key actor, scholar and leader of tomorrow. Indicative module content includes energy transfer including glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation; plant tropism; and physiology including nervous, musculoskeletal, endocrine, cardiovascular and immune systems.

Statistics and Analysis

In the Statistics and Analysis module you will learn how to analyse and interpret data using a variety of statistical approaches and then communicate your conclusions and reasoning. You will develop the confidence to justify the suitability of a statistical approach to a problem and explain any limitations using terminology and notation required in a UK University context. As a semester 2 module within this curriculum arc, the module includes a focus on applications, problem solving and innovation within statistics. You will be encouraged to employ critical thinking and creativity as you make links between curriculum elements and apply your learning to simplified real-world scenarios. Indicative module content includes analysing and presenting data, statistical modelling, probability and distributions, sampling and hypothesis testing.

Route: Life Science

Chemistry Applied

In the Chemistry Applied module you will learn to transfer knowledge of chemistry to real-world situations with a strong fundamental understanding of how science works. You will build confidence analysing and evaluating quantitative and qualitative information to make reasoned judgements, find solutions and draw conclusions. You will be encouraged to employ critical thinking and creativity as you make links between curriculum elements and apply your learning to simplified real-world scenarios. Indicative module content includes chemical equilibria, environmental chemistry, reaction kinetics, techniques such as mass spectrometry, and reaction kinetics.

Route: Life Science with Psychology

Psychology for Life Scientists

In the Physiology for Life Scientists module you will learn how to apply knowledge of theories, methods, and models in biology to a variety of situations and problems using scientific terminology appropriate to UK University study. You will develop the skills to analyse and evaluate arguments demonstrating an awareness of key areas of debate relevant to research themes within biology. The module will motivate you and build your confidence through problem solving such that you come to see how deepening your understanding of physiology might enable you to meaningfully innovate as a key actor, scholar and leader of tomorrow. Indicative module content includes energy transfer including glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation; plant tropism; and physiology including nervous, musculoskeletal, endocrine, cardiovascular and immune systems.