BSc Biology (C104)

This scheme is designed to provide a broad-spectrum understanding of the themes that run through modern biology.  This is ideal for those students who wish to have a comprehensive and integrated degree scheme.

• Our Biology degree scheme offers an excellent range of laboratory and field-based topics with a strong emphasis on the development of key practical skills
• Most modules in Biology have two or three practical and/or field excursion classes
• All students have the opportunity to attend week-long field courses either at the end of Year Two or at the start of Year Three
• Our close proximity to a diverse range of contrasting environments plus our own facilities provides a wide scope for customising your learning experience
• All Biology students carry out a ten week research project module in Year Three.  This can be either laboratory or field-based depending on the interests of the student.  Some students carry out their projects abroad
• The course has a strong emphasis on the development of personal and transferable skills to assist in later employability

This scheme provides a flexible broad-based degree programme, spanning the breadth of contemporary biology. It offers the opportunity to study across a wide range of research areas, and is ideal for students who are interested in maintaining an inter-disciplinary approach to the subject.

Current modules include:

Level One (Year One):

• Science writing and career skills 
• Science skills for biological scientists 
• Chemistry of life 
• Animal diversity, form and function 
• Plants and algae - diversity, form and function
• Cellular and microbial biology 
• Introduction to ecology and behaviour 
• Genetics and evolutionary processes 

Level Two (Year Two):

• How to undertake research in biological sciences 
• Molecular ecology 
• Trophic dynamics: introduction to modelling 
• Biology literature review 
• Cell and immunobiology 
• Terrestrial invertebrates and parasites 
• Vertebrates 
• Animal behaviour in conservation and welfare
• Coastal marine ecology
• Oceanography
• Marine plankton and pelagic invertebrates
• Human and medical genetics
• Clinical biochemistry and physiology

Level Three (Year Three):

• Biology research project
• Current research in biology - each member of staff presents a module on their own specific research interests (on a range of topics) from which you select five for assessment  
• Terrestrial ecology field course OR Animal ecology field course 
• Literature review in biology

Fieldwork

The Biology course offers fieldwork activities in Year 3:  the Terrestrial Ecology field course   OR the Animal Ecology field course.  Students also have the option of undertaking fieldwork activities in Sikkim, Indian Himalayas.

Biological Sciences with deferred choice of specialisation (C100)

Using this entry code it is possible to defer choosing a particular degree scheme until the end of Level 1. Subject to taking an appropriate combination of Level 1 modules, students are then able to register for one of the more specialised degree schemes, excluding Marine Biology.

Further information on this course, including Entry Requirements, Scholarships, Open Days, Frequently Asked Questions and Career Prospects