Program Overview

The BSc (Hons) Biology with Secondary Education (QTS) course will provide you with a direct route to a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status as a biology teacher in just three years. The course combines a high standard of theoretical and practical biology with the pedagogical knowledge and skills required to enable you to enter directly into the secondary science classroom and the launch of a rewarding career as a biology teacher. You will be taught by enthusiastic and experienced staff and you will undertake your biology practical learning in our modern biology laboratories or out in the field. The teacher training component of the course starts in your first year and builds up, allowing you time to reflect on and develop your pedagogical understanding and skills. You will have two extended placements in secondary schools in classes covering the 11-16 age range, one in your second year and one in your third year.

Biology is a vast and endlessly fascinating area – this course provides an in-depth education in the molecular cellular and genetic activities of micro-organisms, plants, animals and humans while simultaneously giving you the pedagogical knowledge and skills required to enable you to be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) to teach biology in secondary schools. With an emphasis on the applied aspects of the subject area, the course integrates technical, practical, problem solving and career relevant aspects of the course. Technical competence is an important aspect of the course hence you will be provided with ample opportunity to undertake hands-on experiments and computer based exercises supported by a full range of analytical equipment for the analysis of biological materials and for the investigation of microorganisms, plants, animals and human biology.