BSc(Hons) Biological Sciences (with Foundation Year)

Content

The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.

Year zero (foundation year)

You'll study:

• Biology in Practice
• Chemistry in Practice
• Skills for Science
• Investigating and Communicating Science.

You normally need to pass your foundation year before going into year one.

Year one

You'll study:

• Life on Earth
• Human Anatomy and Physiology
• Cells Biochemistry and Genetics
• Skills for Biosciences.

Year two

You'll study:

• Research Skills.

Plus, optional modules (the amount depending on credit requirements) from:

• Genetics
• Cell Signalling
• Molecular Biotechnology
• Human Health and Disease
• Human Physiology
• Ecology and Ecosystem Protection
• Wildlife Ecology
• Microbiology
• Plant Growth and Survival
• The Microbial World.

Placement year (if applicable)

If you study on the four year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work placement after year two.

You'll complete the Professional Practice in Applied Science module.

See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.

Final year

You'll study:

• Research Dissertation Project.

Plus, optional modules (the amount depending on credit requirements) from:

• Science Communication
• Genomic Technologies
• Medical Genetics
• Medical Microbiology
• Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology
• Physical Activity, Nutrition and Health
• Pathophysiology
• Developmental and Stem Cell Science
• Primate Ecology and Conservation
• Marine Ecosystems
• Global Forest Systems
• Tropical Expedition
• Sustainable Food Production
• Environmental Microbiology.

This structure is for full-time students only. Part-time students study the same modules but the delivery pattern will be different.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you.

Learning and Teaching

The course structure means you can adapt your studies to your interests.

Year one builds a solid foundation, with four modules that all Biological Sciences students take. From year two you can specialise in molecular biology, human biology or ecology, or study all three – the choice is yours.

You'll get one-to-one guidance and feedback and we'll guide and encourage you to learn independently, using a mix of lectures, seminars and tutorials.

All year one modules have laboratory or computer practicals and, depending on the modules you choose, year two modules include lab, computer or field-based sessions.

Your practical learning will culminate in an independent research project in your final year, which you'll work on with a project supervisor and potentially their research team.

Throughout the course you'll work closely with students in your group and be supported by student support advisers, a personal science tutor and our team of leading biological sciences specialists.

Academics teaching on this course conduct research into a huge range of areas from how some bacteria may link to cancer, to how diet affects our brain health.

Independent learning

One difference between school or college and university is your ownership of your independent study time, where you'll be expected to prepare for scheduled sessions through activities such as guided pre-reading for practical or tutorial sessions. Independent study time tends to increase as you progress through your levels of study, to reflect an increased emphasis on self-directed study.

Contact hours

In a typical week in your first year, you could expect to be timetabled for an average of 12 hours of lecture, tutorial and practical sessions, with the expectation that you'll also work on practice and assessment tasks through independent self-study for an additional 12-18 hours.

The balance between taught sessions and independent study in your timetables may vary between modules and at points across the academic year.

See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.

Assessment

Assessment methods vary, with some modules having a formal end-of-module exam and others using different forms of assessment. The variety of assessment methods allows you to show your developing scientific writing, analytical, practical and presentation skills. Examples include reporting on results from laboratory or field work, designing and presenting posters, and critically analysing published scientific work.

Learn more about assessments.