Program Overview

Biology MSci

Overview

Are you ready to join the next generation of biological researchers, tackling challenges such as emerging infectious diseases or the biodiversity crisis?

Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, this integrated master's degree will take you on a journey from learning about the building blocks of life and its incredible diversity in year one, to the cutting edge of biological research in year four.

You will receive training in the key knowledge, practical and transferable skills needed to enter the world of research and development in academia and industry. Be part of a community where scientists develop new drugs, create more productive crops, and devise new conservation strategies.

Qualification and Entry Requirements

• Qualification: MSci Hons
• Entry Requirements: AAB
• UCAS Code: C101
• Duration: 4 Years Full Time
• Fees: £9,535

Course Information

Year One

• Core Skills in Biology, Genetics & Zoology: This compulsory skills module aims to provide students with an introduction to key experimental, analytical and transferable skills, and to reinforce degree-specific scientific themes from the first year in the context of small group tutorials.
• Genes, Molecules and Cells: This module introduces you to the structure and function of significant molecules in cells, and the important metabolic processes which occur inside them.
• Life on Earth: This module provides an introduction to the fundamental characteristics and properties of the myriad of organisms which inhabit our planet, from viruses, bacteria and Archaea, to plants and animals.
• Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour: Starting with Darwin’s theory of evolution, you will learn how natural selection and other evolutionary forces have shaped the ways in which organisms interact with each other and their environment.
• Human Physiology: This module will allow you to understand your biochemical and genetics knowledge in the context of the intact organism.
• Fundamentals of Neuroscience: This module will give you a good grounding in the basic principles of the nervous system of humans and other animals.
• Hallmarks of Cancer: A study of the ten fundamental processes that make cancers form, grow, invade and spread.
• Causes and Consequences of Cancer: What is cancer, what causes cancer, and what happens when someone gets cancer, from detection, through diagnosis, treatment, recovery and survivorship.

Year Two

• Higher Skills in the Biological Sciences: You will gain confidence and skills in using the biological literature. Your knowledge of statistical methods will be reinforced and developed, and, through designing your own experiments, you will learn to build statistical principles into their experimental methodologies.
• The Genome and Human Disease: In this module you will learn about the structure and function of the eukaryotic genome, including that of humans, and the approaches that have led to their understanding.
• Bacterial Genes and Development: Molecular events that occur during the control of gene expression in bacteria will be explored.
• Microbial Biotechnology: You'll cover the key groups of eukaryotic and prokaryotic microorganisms relevant to microbial biotechnology, principles of GM, and strain improvement in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
• Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics: This module will examine in depth the analysis of drug action, and its application to the design and use of current therapeutics.
• Infection and Immunity: You will study microbiology, learning about pathogenic microbes including viruses, fungi, parasites and the roles of bacteria in health and disease.
• Evolutionary Biology of Animals: Introduces key evolutionary concepts and their application in the animal kingdom.
• Ecology: You will learn about the forces determining the distribution and abundance of species and be able to use models to predict the dynamics of populations under a range of conditions.
• Building Brains: Studying this module, you'll be able to explain how the nervous system develops, is organised, and processes information.
• Biodiversity Field Course: This seven day residential field course module is based in the English Peak District.
• Reproductive Physiology: In this module you’ll learn about the development, physiology and regulation of mammalian reproduction, the control of avian reproduction, and lactation.
• Animal Behaviour and Physiology: A comprehensive introduction to the study of animal behaviour, from the physiological and genetic bases of behaviour to its development through learning and its adaptive significance in the natural environment.
• Behavioural Ecology Field Course: This is a residential field course in Portugal based on research projects in animal behaviour, ecology and parasitology, carried out in small groups.
• The Green Planet: This module explores the evolution of key plant systems through deep time, and the significance of this process for understanding modern ecology and food security.
• Developmental Biology: Examines the basic concepts of vertebrate embryonic development.
• Biological Photography and Imaging I: Through practical sessions, you will learn the techniques of biological image production and manipulation, including the ability to generate biological images of the highest technical quality and scientific value.
• Insect Biology: In this module we will examine how insects are classified, the external and internal features of their bodies, their lifecycles and how they reproduce.
• Neurobiology of Disease: This module will teach you the underlying neurophysiology and pathology associated with several common CNS disorders and the neuropharmacology of currently available medication.

Year Three

• Research Project: The project is a year-long level three module. You will undertake detailed research on a chosen topic after discussion with a supervisor.
• Science and Society: This module will explore the interactions between science and society through a series of lectures, discussion groups and workshops.
• Advances in Immunology: The module aims to consolidate and further deepen your understanding and evaluation of immunology.
• Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience: Considers ion channels at the molecular level, with topics including the structure and function of different ion channel groups and their modulation by drugs, pesticides and natural toxins.
• Biological Photography and Imaging II: Extend and develop your skills of creative and critical biological photography through this advanced module.
• Evolution and Behaviour: A series of student-driven assignments, discussion groups and problem-solving workshops on evolutionary biology, with an emphasis on behaviour.
• Evolutionary Ecology: Considers current knowledge of, and research into, the ecological causes and evolutionary processes that govern natural selection, adaptation and microevolution in natural populations.
• Molecular Parasitology: NA
• Conservation Genetics: Consider the genetic effects of reduced population size, especially relating to the conservation of endangered species.
• Molecular Evolution: Constructing the Tree of Life: During this module you will examine the ways in which DNA and protein sequences are used to investigate evolutionary relationships among organisms.
• Conservation: Consider a range of approaches to conservation biology, such as the measurement and monitoring of biodiversity, and the legal frameworks and management strategies that exist to protect it.
• Ageing, Sex and DNA Repair: Examine the molecular causes of the ageing and malignant transformations of somatic cells that are observed during a single lifespan, and gain an understanding of the necessity to maintain the genome intact from one generation to the next.
• Cancer Biology: Examine a selection of acquired and inherited cancers, and develop an understanding of the role of the genes involved and how they can be analysed.
• Common and Complex Diseases: You will cover recent developments in the genetic approach to human disease, and will examine new findings in the study of disorders such as diabetes.
• Current Topics in Development and Genetics: A series of student-driven assignments and discussion groups/workshops on evolutionary biology with an emphasis on behaviour.
• Sex, Flowers and Biotechnology: The processes of floral development and reproduction are some of the most critical stages occurring during plant growth and development.
• Pathogens: Vaccines and Therapeutics: This course explores the need for new vaccines and therapeutics against infectious diseases and unpacks the fundamental biology of how infectious agents cause disease.
• Plant Ecophysiology: This module explores plant adaptations to extreme soil conditions which are increasingly affecting our society including drought, flood, salinity, heavy metals, plant-plant interactions (allelopathy and mycorrhiza networks) and nutrient deficiencies.
• Plant Pathology: This module covers molecular and applied aspects of plant pathology including plant-pathogen interactions, disease epidemiology, pathogen detection, disease control, pathogen biology and plant mechanisms of defence.
• Plant Biotic Interactions: From Conflict to Cooperation: Plants interact with other organisms, including other plants, animals, and microbes.
• Molecular Virology and Pathogenesis: This module is aimed at any student with an interest in virology.
• Social Insect Biology: This module focuses on the molecular mechanisms that produce force and movement in cellular systems.
• The Dynamic Cell: Explore current knowledge of, and research into, organismal structure and function in aquatic environments, and the attributes of aquatic ecosystems.

Year Four

• Research Presentation Skills: The module aims to provide students with a range of presentation and IT skills that are essential for modern biological researchers.
• Research Planning and Preparation: This is a year-long module, but with most of the work being complete by the end of January.
• Cutting-edge Research Technologies and Ideas in Molecular Biology: This module focusses on laboratory methods and ideas which are currently emerging in molecular biology.
• Advanced Experimental Design and Analysis: This is an advanced level biological statistics module which builds on basic undergraduate training.
• Process and Practice in Science: A consideration of science ‘as a process’, with brief introductions to the history, philosophy and sociological norms of science.

Career Overview

You will graduate with a sound understanding of the biology of animals, plants and microbes and the biochemical, evolutionary and genetic processes that underlie their biology. Your final year project will have given you the freedom to pursue a specific research area of interest. The combined knowledge and skills gained from all years of your undergrad degree will prepare you for either further study or a career in many varied industries including:

• Biomodeical
• Conservation
• Bioinformatics and Data Analaysis
• Pharmaceuticals
• Healthcare
• Graduate Veterinary and Medicine Programmes
• Civil Service
• Scientific Governemntal Agencies
• Teaching
• University Research
• Journalism and Science Communications

Job Prospects

• Average starting salary and career progression: 93.90% of undergraduates from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual starting salary for these graduates was £28,993.