Economics and Human Biology BSc/BA (Hons)

About the course

Economics

You will focus on applied economics and its application to real world problems and developments. You do not need any prior knowledge of the subject and will benefit from a broad overview in your first year before going on to examine one of three aspects of economics:

• Microeconomics 
• Macroeconomics 
• Applied policy, international banking and economics 

These pathway options allow you to tailor your studies to the area that interests you most. In your final year you may be asked to undertake a project in a specialist area. On the major route you will also take the module, Contemporary issues in economics..

Human Biology

You will study a wide variety of aspects of human biology on this course, from Human physiology to Biomedical Implications of Exercise. You will spend your time in lectures and seminars as well as underpinning your theoretical knowledge with practical work in the laboratories.

This course will help you to develop key skills for a career in a number of health and pharmacy related sectors. You will also develop personal and professional skills that can be applied to any future role including an ability to learn independently and test out your own theories. 

Human Biology can be taken as a minor, joint or major subject in combination with all other joint honours fields with the exception of languages where the maximum proportion is 50% (Joint).

Why choose this course?

Economics

• Study the basic principles of economics within a business context 
• Explore the major economic challenges facing modern societies 
• Understand the role economics plays in analysing and modelling situations in the business environment, developing countries and policy formation

Human Biology

• Learn about many exciting and fascinating areas of human biology 
• Gain detailed knowledge of the biology of human beings studying aspects of health and disease as well as studies in cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics 
• Study a practical and relevant curriculum preparing you for a career in a wide range of careers

Study routes

• Part Time,
• Sandwich,
• Full Time,

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

This programme gives you flexibility in your studies at university resulting in flexibility in your choice of career at the end of your course. You will acquire a much broader base of knowledge and experience that could really widen your employment opportunities. Graduates have found employment in diverse roles such as computer programmers, design engineers, management development specialists, accountants and project managers. Over 72% of our graduates had entered employment six months after graduation, and a further 17% had gone on to further study or training.

Teaching methods

You experience a wide variety of learning styles when you study on the programme. During your time with us we will develop your capacity for self-learning and your interpersonal skills. We particularly emphasise the importance of structured research; well-prepared written and verbal presentations; and computer literacy. Alongside elements of standard lectures, seminars, tutorials and laboratories, you also learn through case studies, individual and group projects and other student centered activities. In your final year you will normally have the opportunity to practise your self-learning and interpersonal skills by undertaking a Major project or dissertation.

Work Placement

You will have the opportunity to take a paid work placement or study abroad for a year between your second and final years, extending your degree from a three year to a four year qualification. You will not be required to pay tuition fees for this year and you will gain excellent experience that sets you apart from the crowd in the graduate jobs market.

Study Abroad

You can study in most European countries, USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, South Africa, Russia, China, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Australia. You will study a programme of taught modules and/or project work with one of our partner universities, which will complement your studies on the Joint Honours Programme. You may need to study the language of your chosen country in your first and second years. Depending on where you choose to study you may be eligible to apply for certain grants, scholarships and financial support to help finance your study abroad experience.

Work Placement

A work placement provides you with an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience and put your theoretical knowledge and understanding from your studies in to practice.

Our Careers and Placements service will help you to develop your CV and support you through the application process for a wide range of placement opportunities in a variety of sectors and organisations.

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Quantitative Methods for Economics

  This module is an introduction to important mathematical and statistical techniques that are used in the study of economics. The power of these techniques and approaches is considered as well as how to apply them in the relevant situation. The following techniques are introduced and developed through problem-solving: - Simple algebra and numbers (decimals, fractions, integers) - Solving linear and quadratic equations - Simultaneous equations (and the equilibrium concept) - Basic graphical analysis and interpretation (slopes, intercepts, etc) - Differential calculus (basic rules) - Simple (unconstrained) optimisation - Exponential function and logarithms - Measures of location (eg mean) and dispersion (eg variance) - Probability distributions (especially normal) and related graphs (eg scatter plots) - Simple regression (concept and 'line of best fit')

• Global Perspectives in Business B

  Internationalisation of business is creating a substantial increase in intercultural contact, which is reflected in the skills set of managers operating in a globalised world. Managers need to develop sensitivity to and a critical understanding of issues arising out of cultural difference, and be equipped to manage and operate in diversity. The module will explore themes of: a) concepts of culture, b) cultural differences and c) globalisation. It will also explore related ideas such as ethnocentrism and prejudice. It will look at and draw upon the work of leading theorists, such as Hofstede and Trompenaars, in the analysis of cultural difference. It will look at cross-cultural differences in communication and negotiation style. The workshop element of the module will consider the practical consequences of cultural difference for corporations and sojourners. Types of international corporate culture will be examined, including expatriate staffing policies. The nature of culture shock will be explored.

• Introduction to Microeconomics

  Microeconomics is concerned with the behaviour of individual firms, markets and consumers in their economic activity. Microeconomics considers choice-making within the context of a market mechanism. The module covers the nature of markets including the determinants of demand and supply and the competitive environment within industries. The role of the government in intervening in markets is also considered.

• Introduction to Macroeconomics

  The module aims to provide students with an introductory grounding in the principles and concepts of macroeconomic analysis, including consideration of: unemployment; inflation; money; banking; government policies in terms of taxes and interest rates, for example; and international trade. Indicative content: - Basic macroeconomic models - income - expenditure approach - Theories of consumption and savings - Aggregate demand and aggregate supply - Unemployment - Inflation - Money and banking - Fiscal and monetary policies - Introduction to open-economy macroeconomics

• Foundations of Human Physiology

  Foundations of Human Physiology will provide students with an introduction to human physiology applied to sport and exercise. In particular, this module will involve fundamentals of structure, function and biochemistry from cellular, to tissue, organ, and organism levels. A basic understanding of muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, digestive, endocrine and nervous systems will be developed. There will some coverage of applied sporting topics of relevance to physiology, such as the principles of training and periodicity, and the design of training programmes. Practical work will used to provide additional insight into specific physiological systems. Practical work will include instruction in the use of physiological interfaces, transducers, and recording and analytical software, basic studies on the respiratory (spirometry and off-line techniques) and cardio-vascular system (ECG and blood pressure) and measurement of spinal reflexes and reaction times.

• Foundations of Nutrition

  This module introduces students to basic components of human nutrition, with applications to sport, health and exercise. The module involves the study of human digestion and absorption, including aspects of endocrine control of metabolism. There is also an introduction to essential themes underlying dietary macro- and micro-nutrients, and explores basic applications of nutrition pertinent to dietary assessment and problem-based learning scenarios.

• Introduction to Biochemistry and Metabolism (Nutrition and Dietetics)

  An introductory module in 'the biochemistry of the cell, covering various aspects of protein structure; enzyme kinetics and methods for determining kinetic parameters; catabolic metabolism - the inter-relationships and control of pathways particularly glycolysis, TCA cycle and the beta-oxidation of fatty acids'. Introductory aspects of bioenergetics including 1) the structure of mitochondria and chloroplasts 2) basic aspects of oxidative and photosynthetic phosphorylation 3) fundamentals of electron transport in both mitochondria and chloroplasts.

Optional

Year 2

Core Modules

• International Trade and the Open Economy

  This module builds on the foundation provided by the module Economic Growth, Aggregate Price and Income (macro principles), which develops macroeconomic tools of analysis in a closed economy. It introduces and develops the analytical apparatuses, such as the IS-LM-BP model and the AS-AD framework, that are employed to explain international economy and growth. It also provides an insight into some of the principal models that have been devised to explain macroeconomic events in an open economy and to predict the consequences of certain actions by economic agents. Finally, the module evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the various models constructed to explain international trade and the development of an open economy.

• Business Economics

  Business Economics is concerned with how the concepts, tools and techniques of economics can be usefully applied to the study of business. This is two-fold: both in terms of enabling effective business decision-making, eg with respect to pricing, and in terms of the analysis of industry. Organisation, competition and the role of government policy will all be explored in this module.

• Economic Growth, Aggregate Price and Income

  This module builds on the foundation provided by the first year module on macroeconomics to examine macroeconomic issues on a more rigorous basis. It introduces and develops the analytical apparatuses such as the IS-LM model and the AS-AD framework that are employed in macro analysis. It also provides an insight into some of the principal models that have been devised to explain macroeconomic events and to predict the consequences of certain actions by economic agents. Finally, the module evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the various models in relation to macroeconomic developments that are necessary to understand the financial world.

• Consumers, Firms and Markets

  The modern capitalist economy can be viewed as an enormous collection of consumers and firms who engage in markets. How effective these markets are and what it means for society will, in large part, depend upon how consumers and firms actually behave. This module explores this behaviour, employing both standard economic analysis, ie how rational agents make decisions, as well as alternative approaches which acknowledge limits on rationality while also proposing a more realistic psychology. The impact upon decision-making is further considered. The success of the economy is reliant upon the efficiency of the markets within it. This crucial economic aspect will be explored for the different types of market structure. Further, the causes and consequences of market failures will also be addressed.

• Principles of Immunology

  Anatomy and physiology of the immune system: cells, primary and secondary lymphoid tissues, leukocyte circulation and key phenomena including; chemotaxis, opsonisation, phagocytosis, inflammation, antigen processing and clonal expansion. Natural immunity: role of phagocytic cells, the complement system, cytokines, chemokines and the acute inflammatory response. Hypersensitivity reactions. Adaptive immunity: antigen specificity of B and T cells. Antibody structure and effector functions. T cell subsets; antigen processing and presentation to T cells, the role of the major histocompatibility complex. T-helper cell subpopulations and cytokines in determining the immune response. Immunity to microbial pathogens including bacteria, viruses and selected parasites. Vaccine design strategies. Inflammation: immunology of chronic inflammation; immunopathology of selected chronic inflammatory diseases e.g. rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases . Anti-inflammatory therapies; steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

• Pathophysiology

  This module has been designed to provide students with an understanding of human pathophysiology, enabling them to discuss the biology of disease. Topics covered will include: " Biology of disease " Cell injury and cell death " Cardiovascular disease " Renal dysfunction " Neurological disease " Endocrine disorders " Gastro-intestinal disease " Respiratory disease

• Exercise Physiology

  Cardiovascular aspects of exercise, blood pressure and haemodynamic response at rest and exercise, exercise and cardiovascular disease. Respiratory aspects of exercise: haemoglobin and respiratory variables, acid balance and asthma. Basic laboratory testing in athletes and metabolic responses to training. The endocrine system during exercise, exercise-induced endocrine secretions/catecholamine response. Endocrinology-fluid balance. The immune system and exercise. Fatigue and exhaustion; de-training and the human body. The effect of exercise in different environmental conditions and on different populations such as ageing; energy supply and systems.

Optional

Year 3

Core Modules

Optional

• Industrial Placement Year

• Placement Study Abroad (South East Asia)

• Placement Study Abroad (North America)

• Placement Study Abroad (Australia)

• Placement Study Abroad (Europe)

• Sandwich Placement: Biosciences

  The sandwich placement will provide students with the opportunity to expand, develop and apply the knowledge, understanding and skills learnt in the taught years of the degree in a work-based situation. The establishment will appoint a work-place supervisor, and the student will also have a University supervisor. During the placement the student will return to the University to a one day Symposium which all placement students attend. During this day they present a poster about their placement and attend talks on future employment. In particular, Applied Biomedical Students will spend 48 weeks on a training placement in an approved diagnostic laboratory performing routine diagnostic tests. In the process they will: gain an understanding of the workings of a professional, clinical laboratory; develop the skills necessary to be an independent and safe practitioner; perform various analyses in order to demonstrate competence in use of specialist laboratory equipment.

• Year Abroad - BIO

  Learning and teaching methods may include taught courses, a research project, field studies or a mixture of these components. The Year Abroad will be for two academic semesters or their equivalent. The students will therefore follow a programme negotiated by the Associate Head of School or nominee and an equivalent representative of the host institution. Prior to commencement of the Year Abroad, the student, the programme officers from the University of Hertfordshire and from the host institution will agree a learning agreement and mode of attendance.

Year 4

Core Modules

• Economics of Business Organisation

  This module is an exploration of the relevant economic and related literature on business organisation. It will consider what drives and shapes modern business and the tools that business and managerial economics can provide to help analyse decisions. It will further consider the economic issues facing modern business and the utility of economic theory in addressing these. Thus, transaction cost analysis and principal-agent theory will be explored and developed to understand business organisation. The wider economic environment within which business behaviour takes place will be considered using property rights approaches and the economic literature on trust, inter alia. Useful business tools such as demand estimation, pricing and investment appraisal will also be covered.

• Biomedical Implications of Exercise

  Exercise and the disease state: the role of exercise both as a prophylactic and causative factor in various cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic diseases. More specifically, topics such as the coronary heart disease, haemostasis, dyslipidaemia, sudden cardiac death, obesity, metabolic syndrome diabetes. Furthermore, the role of rehabilitation, regular exercise and increased activity will be addressed with particular emphasis on the above related disease. The role of activity and exercise in the promoting health in diverse groups and conditions such as the elderly, mental health, pregnancy and HIV/AIDS will be covered. In addition, the implementation of exercise prescription in the general population will be examined in the context of health initiatives.

• Neurophysiology

  Neurophysiology is concerned with how a powerful armory of experimental methods can reveal brain mechanisms involved in visual perception, movement, motivation and emotion, learning and memory, feeding, sleep and wakefulness. Neuroanatomy; major neurotransmitter pathways in the brain. Sensory coding. Processing of sensory input as exemplified by the visual system. Neural control of movement and posture by cerebral cortex, basal ganglia and cerebellum. States of conciousness, sleep and wakefulness, motivation and affect. Neurophysiological substrates of feeding. Control of autonomic and endocrine function. Plasticity; learning and memory as exemplified in the hippocampus; neural network models.

Optional

• Anatomy of Financial Crises

  This module provides an opportunity to explore the major financial crises that took place across the globe since the early 20th century. It aims to reconstruct some of the financial theories on the basis of the empirical evidence as opposed to 'the theory first application later' approach.

• International Production and Governance

  This module explores key changes in the global economy by examining recent trends in international trade, production, investment and labour. Theories of international production are examined alongside the competitive strategies of large transnational firms. There is focus on the changing patterns of governance with regards to different varieties of capitalism and the relationship between different levels of governance; the global, the national and the local. The module emphasises the way in which both academic and business literature offer competing interpretations on the nature of these changing trends, their outcomes and their implications for policy.

• Issues in Global Economy

  This module explores the fundamental economic changes in the global economy and their implications for both developed and developing economies. It addresses issues related to changes in international production, global financial structures, trade patterns, migration, global governance, environment, economic development, income distribution and poverty.

• Money, Banking and Finance

  The financial sector is a vital sector for any economy. It is a major and successful part of the UK economy. This module provides the techniques and concepts to analyse and understand this sector. The major theoretical underpinnings of the financial sector are explored. Thus, the module considers portfolio theory, the term structure of interest rates, demand and supply of money, monetary policy, exchange rate systems, insurance markets and the efficient markets hypothesis.

• Modern Econometrics

  - Introduction: Review of the classical regression model as the well as multicollinearity, heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation. - Estimating dynamic models: Adjustment lags and the problem of estimation; the formation of expectations. - Data-mining: Alternative approaches to selecting the 'best' model and criteria. - Handing non-stationary time series: Stationary and non-stationary processes; testing for Stationary, error-correction model. - Cointegration and error-correction models: Cointegration between variables via testing; the estimation of the error-correction model. - Further topics: Vector autoregressions.

• Contemporary Issues in Economics

  This module aims to enhance students' understanding of different theoretical frameworks and research methodologies in order for them to develop their understanding of how knowledge is created and develops in the area of economics. Students will then study selected key contemporary issues from an economic perspective. The exact topics will, by definition, change depending on the issues of the day, but, in all cases, students will be able to see the benefit of using appropriate tools of economic analysis. Issues will be evaluated on the basis of the quality of economic explanation offered, both in terms of theory and evidence. In this way, students can appreciate how theory can be effectively translated into real policy action.

Fees & funding

Fees 2013

UK/EU Students

Full time: £8,500 for the 2013 academic year

International Students

Full time: £9,500 for the 2013 academic year

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Scholarships

• National Scholarship Programme

Find out more about scholarships for UK/EU and international students

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

How to apply