Program Overview

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Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biology

The BSc (Hons) degree in Biology has been tailored to equip students with the necessary knowledge and training in the various areas of the biological sciences. The programme ensures coverage of the latest and most essential knowledge of biology at tertiary level, in line with international undergraduate degrees.

Programme Overview

The programme of studies is designed to provide students with a broad diversity of subject areas, including:

• Core subjects such as biochemistry, cell biology, ecology, ethology, and evolution
• Plant and animal biology, diversity of plants and animals, conservation biology, and animal form and function
• Field biology, research methods for the biological sciences, marine biology, microbiology, parasitology, and immunology
• Bioinformatics and genomics, biotechnology, and aquaculture and fisheries biology

Programme Structure

The BSc (Hons) in Biology is a three-year full-time programme, consisting of 180 ECTS credits. The programme is divided into three years, with each year comprising two semesters.

Year 1

In the first year, students are required to take a number of study-units, including:

• BIO1010: Cellular and Biochemical Basis of Life
• BIO1020: Diversity of Life: Animals
• BIO1041: Laboratory Techniques and Reporting in Biology
• BIO1500: Introductory Applied Biology
• BIO2040: Ecology and Ethology 1
• BIO2070: Biochemical Strategies of Life
• GSC1000: Introduction to Earth Science
• GSC1200: Introduction to Physical Oceanography
• SOR0210: Data Treatment and Probability

Year 2

In the second year, students are required to take a number of study-units, including:

• BIO2500: Design of Biological Investigations
• BIO2520: Bioinformatics and Genomics
• BIO2530: Ecology and Ethology 2
• BIO3022: Parasitology
• BIO3060: Field Biology - Coastal and Marine Habitats
• BIO3080: Introduction to Agriculture, Aquaculture, Fisheries, and Other Biological Resources
• BIO3130: Genetics and Developmental Biology

Year 3

In the third year, students are required to take a number of study-units, including:

• BIO3110: Final Year Project in Biology
• SCI3502: Professional and Technical Skills for Scientists
• BIO3050: Animal Form and Function 2
• BIO3090: Environmental Applications, Informatics, and Management
• BIO3300: Biotechnology 2
• SCI3501: Academic Writing and Statistical Techniques for Scientific Research

Admission Requirements

• General Entry Requirements: Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications
• Special Course Requirements: An Advanced Level pass at Grade C or better in Biology and an Intermediate Level pass at Grade C or better in Chemistry

Tuition Fees

• Fee per academic year for non-EU applicants: Eur 10,800

Career Opportunities

The opportunities for employment are numerous, given the availability of both long-standing careers such as ones involving teaching and laboratory work, as well as new career opportunities such as those within the field of applied biotechnology in industry and research, and of environmental biology in research, planning, management, and monitoring of living resources and the environment. Potential employers in Malta include industry, the aquaculture sector, private environmental consultancies, and governmental entities and authorities.

Research Areas

The programme of studies is designed to provide eventual graduates in biology with the opportunity to take up a research programme within one of the subject areas at M.Sc. level. The research areas include:

• Biotechnology
• Environmental biology
• Conservation biology
• Marine biology
• Microbiology
• Parasitology and immunology
• Bioinformatics and genomics
• Aquaculture and fisheries biology

Learning Outcomes

On completing the programme of studies, students will be able to:

• Identify and explain the main concepts and principles underlying biological features and processes
• Understand the evolution and adaptations of species, and their interactions with the environment
• Exploit, and manage biological resources
• Apply techniques, procedures, and tools used in biotechnology and other areas of applied biology
• Conserve biodiversity and understand its importance
• Use techniques, procedures, and tools used in the study of environmental biology

Communication and Academic Skills Programme

The communication and academic skills programme complements students' main course of study, introducing them to writing and presenting in academic contexts sensitive to specific disciplines and developing their competences for future careers.