Program Overview

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BSc (Honours)/MSci Biology

Course summary

This course prepares you for a career in biology, with a focus on sustainability and industry applications. You'll study introductory cellular biochemistry, organs and tissues, as well as plant, microbial and animal evolution in an environmental context. You'll also explore evolutionary biology, animal behaviour and the human biological condition, plus cell, molecular and synthetic biology.

How you learn

You'll be taught by experts on this course – all our staff are active researchers. Your learning will be linked to departmental research themes, ensuring your taught material is at the forefront of science. You'll also have opportunities to complete your own research, and you'll work on real-world projects alongside industry professionals to develop your commercial awareness.

You'll learn through:

• In-person seminars, lectures and workshops
• Independent study, supported by tutorials and your academic adviser
• Practical laboratory experiences with industry-standard equipment
• Placements
• Research opportunities
• Field work
• Real-life projects
• Simulated environments
• Networking opportunities

Key themes

In your first year, you'll study introductory cellular biochemistry, organs and tissues – as well as plant, microbial and animal evolution in an environmental context.

In your second year, we'll cover evolutionary biology, animal behaviour and the human biological condition, plus cell, molecular and synthetic biology.

In your final year you explore plant, microbial and environmental biotechnology – with an emphasis on industrial applications for synthetic biology with associated regulatory affairs, ethical and societal aspects of biology. You'll choose from a wide range of modules this year, and you'll complete an independent research project.

Course support

Throughout your learning journey, you'll experience a range of dedicated support, such as:

• Access to specialist support services to help with your personal, academic and career development.
• Access to our Skills Centre with one to ones, webinars and online resources to help you to plan and structure your assignments.

Applied learning

Work placements

You'll have the opportunity to complete a year-long placement between your second and third year. This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.

Previous students have completed placements for companies and organisations such as Kew Gardens, Labcorp, Porton Down and John Innes Institute.

Live projects

You'll have the opportunity to work on research projects for real-world organisations such as Galileo Pharmaceuticals – a company focused on the discovery and development of small molecule therapeutics to treat metabolic diseases.

Modules

Year 1

• Demonstrating Professional Skills For Scientists (20 credits)
  • This module develops the fundamental professional and practical skills you'll need as a scientist.
• Evolution And Environmental Biology (40 credits)
  • This module offers an appreciation of evolution at the global level, including palaeontology, plant phylogeny, the environmental niche they inhabit and the biochemistry that allows them to do so.
• Fundamentals Of Life Sciences (40 credits)
  • This module develops your knowledge and understanding of the core bioscience concepts and fundamental processes of biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, microbiology, anatomy, physiology and genetics.
• Introducing Professional Skills For Scientists (20 credits)
  • This module introduces the fundamental professional and practical skills you'll need as a scientist.

Year 2

• Applied Ecology, Advanced Evolution And Animal Behaviour (40 credits)
  • This module develops an understanding of a range of principles and concepts in ecology and evolutionary and animal behavioural, as well as the laboratory and field and modern computational techniques used to investigate and advance knowledge in this area.
• Applying Professional Skills For Scientists (20 credits)
  • This module enables you to apply your lab, practical and professional skills – demonstrating strong scientific practice and the employability qualities you'll need as a scientific graduate.
• Developing Professional Skills For Scientists (20 credits)
  • This module enables you to apply your practical and professional skills to demonstrate strong scientific practice and the employability qualities you'll need as a scientific graduate.
• Molecular And Cellular Biochemistry (40 credits)
  • This module covers fundamental principles of biochemistry and cellular processes including the structure and function of biomolecules, energy production and gene expression.

Year 3

• Undergraduate Sandwich Placement Applied Professional Diploma (0 credits)
  • The aim of this module is to enhance students' professional development through the completion of and reflection on meaningful work placement(s).
• Advanced Professional Skills For Scientists (20 credits)
  • This module supports students to develop, evidence, reflect on and improve their employment skills within the context of their career aspirations, the work-place and their own scientific discipline.
• Plant And Environmental Biotechnology (40 credits)
  • This module develops an understanding of how biology can be used in industry and beyond to solve current disease, contamination and research problems.
• Research Project (40 credits)
  • The module aims to expand students' ability to independently follow a research strategy, undertake critical assessment of data obtained and to extend and apply professional and personal skills required for the planning and implementation of a research activity.

Elective modules

• Advanced Genetics (20 credits)
  • This module expands your knowledge of genetic concepts.
• Applications Of Data Science (20 credits)
  • This module introduces big data and how data sets can be exploited to extract meaningful insights.
• Applied Biochemistry (20 credits)
  • This module provides a comprehensive understanding of the structure, function and regulation of biological molecules and pathways, with a focus on their practical applications in research, biotechnology and medicine.
• Human Nutrition And Health (20 credits)
  • This module develops your understanding of how dietary components contribute to maintaining life, health and disease prevention.
• Neurobiology And Neurophysiology (20 credits)
  • This module provides in-depth understanding of neuroscience, neurophysiology and neurobiology, including an awareness of the impact of new technologies and concepts which can be translated to other body systems.
• Pharmacology (20 credits)
  • This module reviews the basic pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic concepts of drug action, creating an awareness of the impact of new technologies and concepts on the discovery and development of pharmacological agents.

Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in:

• Analytical science
• Scientific sales and marketing
• Pharmaceutical research and development analysis
• The biotechnology industry
• Scientific communication or journalism
• Teaching
• Agriculture
• Environmental science and conservation

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for:

• Various wildlife trusts
• Rentokil
• Reckitt Benckiser Group plc
• Labcorp
• AstraZeneca

Equipment and facilities

You'll have access to various collaborative and independent learning spaces, and a large suite of high-quality laboratories. You'll use the same industry- standard equipment and software that you'll be using in your career.

On this course you work with:

• Analytical tools such as HPLC and gas chromatography equipment.
• Our award-winning cell culture suites with laminar flow hoods and incubators.
• High-powered fluorescent and confocal microscopes for cell and tissue analysis.
• Polymerase Chain Reaction equipment.
• If you transfer to the MSci route, you'll work alongside PhD students and scientists in our research centre, with access to a range of cutting-edge facilities.

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

Entry requirements

• UCAS points: 112-120
• A levels: BBB-BBC including grade C in Biology
• BTEC: DDM in BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science to include suitable Biology modules
• GCSE: English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
• GCSE: Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
• Access: an Access to HE Diploma from a relevant QAA-recognised Access to HE course which has mainly biology and chemistry related modules, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate
• English language: IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent

Fees and funding

• Home students: £9,535 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year)
• International students: £18,000 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year)

Additional course costs

• General course additional costs: estimated £100-£200 per year
• Biosciences and Chemistry additional costs: estimated £600-£800 per year

Legal information

• Terms and conditions: any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University's Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.