Staff in the School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences (BBCS) are currently in the process of creating a new unit for first year medical dental and podiatry students, providing an integrated introduction to modern cell and molecular biology, including genetics. The new unit, called "Molecules Genes and Cells" will run for the first time next year and will be a full year unit.

The decision to create the new unit was made at the last Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences curriculum retreat which was attended by a number of teaching staff from the Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences. A major rationale for the unit was the need to more fully integrate foundation studies in cell function and cell chemistry with important basic themes in genetics and molecular biology. Another important driver for the change was the increasing prominence of genetics and the understanding of gene control in modern biology and medicine.

In designing the new unit, BBCS staff received valuable input from staff in other faculties, notably Professor David Ravine from the Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences and Dr Brenton Knott from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural sciences. The co-ordinator of the unit working party, Professor Don Robertson said that constructing the new unit was a difficult task but it exemplified the commitment of staff to provide up-to-date high quality education in biomedical science for medical and paramedical students.

The development of this unit showcases the willingness of Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences staff to work co-operatively with other Faculties to achieve the optimum student experience.