Course Content
First year modules provide a common platform of knowledge for all new students and a broad perspective of Biological and Biomedical Sciences so that the final choice of degree route can be taken at the end of the first year. After which there are numerous opportunities for you to tailor your degree to your own interests and personal development. Our with Placement degree scheme offers students the opportunity to gain experience in industry or in a relevant profession before graduating. Students acquire high-level research skills in residential courses that currently include field courses in Africa, Lapland or Scotland, or intensive training course in Cellular and Molecular Biology, before carrying out third year research projects that are unique to each student. In the final year, we also offer the Biological Enterprise option in which students learn about science and business and the Biology into Schools option for those considering a career in science communication or teaching. Students who achieve good grades at the end of second year have the option to enroll in the Masters in Bioscience program which leads to graduation with MBiol after a fourth year of study which involves a taught module, a practical training module and an extensive research project across the year.
Level 1 - Common to all degree routes.
The first year programme covers fundamental aspects of biosciences including evolution, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, physiology, and an overview of the diversity of organisms.You will also be introduced to essential scientific and transferrable skills through the tutorial system. Students who have not taken one or both of Chemistry or Maths at A level or equivalent must take the Chemistry for Biosciences and/or Maths for Biosciences modules which are there simply to help you understand the basis of some of the more complex biological mechanisms and equip you with the skills needed for data handling.
Level 2
At level 2, students can register for a degree in Biological Sciences to access maximum module choices or can specialize in Biomedical Science, depending on their interest and career goals. Students studying Biological Sciences can choose from module themes that include ecology, evolution, animal behaviour, animal and plant physiology, signalling processes, development, cell biology, molecular biology and recombinant DNA technology, and biochemistry, and a sub-set of biomedical module themes including human physiology, microbiology and immunology. The subject themes for Biomedical Science are developed at level 2 with a core set of modules covering clinical genetics and biochemistry, haematology, cell and tissue pathology, human physiology, microbiology and immunology. Students in either biological or biomedical sciences who achieve good grades at the end of level 2 can elect to follow the MBiol program.
Level 3
In the final year of the BSc program there is an emphasis on personal research and research training in close collaboration with members of the School's academic staff. To begin the level, students can choose to go on a field course (locations currently include in Africa, Lapland, Austria and Scotland), or to take one of a range of laboratory-based training workshops, including Biological Imaging and Biomolecular Analysis. All students at level 3 produce a review of a current topic based on in-depth analysis of relevant scientific literature. In addition, students can select to do either a Research Project or take the module in Biological Enterprise. The Research project may be based in the laboratory or field and provides the student with the opportunity to carry out an in-depth investigation on a subject allied to the research interests of an academic member of staff. Students studying Biological Enterprise will learn about commercial exploitation of a scientific discovery and apply the principles of starting a business in the biotechnology sector. This option is popular with entrepreneurially-inclined students and those wanting to learn about translation of scientific advances into products and services. Students who are considering a career in science communication or teaching may wish to take the Biology into Schools module, in which students design and deliver biology teaching material in schools. Students also choose from a range of lecture modules that are centred on the research interests of our academic staff and which address relevant topics at the cutting edge of knowledge.
Level 4
MBiol students follow an identical 3rd year to the BSc students, but take an additional taught module in place of the level 3 project to enhance their subject specific knowledge. In level 4 there are two modules designed to bring students research skills to a Masters level , which the student then uses on an extended research project in a topic area aligned to current biosciences research.
