Biology and Sociology

Biology

Applied and Human Biology is the study of life, from the simplest organism to the complexities of the human species. By focusing on the study of the Human Being, this demanding and exciting discipline offers a revealing insight into the living world.

This course will give you a sound biological foundation, and substantial training as a human biologist. The Biology degree course at Aston University will ensure that you are given support in developing practical research skills that are relevant to the climate today. You will also develop knowledge and professional skills that will open up a wide range of career opportunities when you graduate. This course will also increase understanding of the living world and how all organisms depend on each other, with particular emphasis on the human species.

Sociology

Sociology is the systematic study of social relations, be they on the micro level of group interaction or the macro level of the nation state and global society. Sociology is not only interested in economic relations but in behaviour that is guided by norms and values, culture and belief. It draws upon insights from sociological theories and applies them to contemporary social issues, thus developing them further. Sociology tries to provide answers to questions such as: what is the structure of contemporary society? How has it developed? What changes do we observe? Which institutions govern social action? Why do they change? Which actors shape social change?

Key benefits

Biology

At Aston University our programmes concentrate on the biological aspects of health and welfare, with emphasis on biomedical, environmental and economic problems or challenges. All of our programmes are supported by our extensive research activities, which include immunology, microbiology, cancer studies, cell biology, molecular genetics, vaccine and drug development and pharmacology.

Our Biology degree programmes have been assessed by the Quality Assurance Agency as achieving a score of 23/24, which is one of the best results in the country, and has been rated as excellent. You will also enjoy studying in one of the leading centres of Health Science in the country. Some other key benefits are:

Combinations: There are a wide range of subjects to partner your Biological studies, widening your knowledge base and hence your range of possible careers.

Firm Foundations: The first year is broadly based, covering the fundamental principles and practice of Biology.

Professional Experience: You can opt to develop your knowledge and refine your skills by choosing the four-year sandwich programme, in which you spend your third year outside the University working with a relevant organisation.
Flexibility: You may enrol for either the three-year full-time programme or the sandwich; transfer between them is possible at any time up to the beginning of your second year.

Information Technology: You have the opportunity to develop your skills through access to computer-aided learning (CAL) packages in our computing laboratory.

Specialisation: In the final year, you have the opportunity to develop your own particular interests by means of an individual project or dissertation.
Professional Accreditation: You are eligible to apply for Student, and later for Graduate, Membership of the Institute of Biology.

Sociology

Sociology is the systematic study of social relations, should they be on the micro level of group interaction or the macro level of the nation state and global society. At Aston University we provide a sound training in techniques of sociological research and analysis. Combining cross-country and historical analysis, this will help you to understand the society we live in. Students will gain the skills to carry out their own empirical research, based on theoretical paradigms and methodological tools. Through a range of teaching and assessment methods, we provide a variety of learning experiences and include ample opportunity for students to express themselves and develop their abilities.

Teaching and assessment

Biology

You will experience a wide variety of learning and teaching methods, including:

• lectures, tutorials and seminars

• biology laboratories

• group and individual project work

• use of our extensive computing facilities

• corporate investigation and analysis

Students will be assessed in individual modules by end-of-semester (January & May/June) examinations and by assignments conducted and submitted.

Sociology

You will experience a wide variety of learning and teaching methods, including:

• lectures, tutorials and seminars

• exercises and case studies

• group and individual project work

• use of our extensive computing facilities

• corporate investigation and analysis

Students will be assessed in individual modules by end-of-semester (January & May/June) examinations and by assignments conducted and submitted.

Personal development

Biology

We offer an optional 12 month professional work placement between year 2 and the final year of our course. A final decision about whether or not to take a placement need not be made when you apply through UCAS. You will have the option to take a Biology or a related professional placement, usually in the UK, but possibly abroad. The placement year is one of the key factors in Aston's employment success. A higher proportion of our Biology degree graduates have found employment within 6 months of graduation than those of any other British university.

This year is undertaken with some of the UK's leading companies, hospitals and research establishments. Employers value the additional knowledge, maturity and confidence that are developed during this year and students returning from placements are often better motivated and better organised because of the experience they have gained.

Graduates enter the job market with a number of desirable skills, attractive to graduate employers. You will be proficient in gathering information, conducting research and laboratory experimentation. You will have to examine and assess data, to write and prepare reports. You will have an aptitude to calculate, compute and apply formulas. Graduates of biology are also able to develop ideas and problem solve effectively, with skills in organisation and conducting research. Due to the nature of the course you will also develop a capacity to interpret technical data and build knowledge of laboratory procedures. All of these skills ensure that our graduates are sought after and well-equipped to enter the job market after graduation.

Sociology

The placement year at Aston University has an enviable reputation. This year provides the opportunity to develop professional skills by spending a year in paid employment.

When Sociology is combined with French and/or German, a year abroad must be spent in a French/German speaking country to develop language based skills. Students may choose to work in a well-known and established company, or as a teaching assistant in a school abroad, or follow a university programme at one of our ERASMUS partner institutions.

Students are carefully prepared for the year abroad during their first two years at Aston, with excellent support both before and throughout the placement year. LSS has a dedicated and highly experienced placement officer, who works with students individually to help them plan and organise for this exciting and rewarding year.

Aston University has one of the best records for graduate employment in the UK. The courses ensure that students gain academic knowledge as well as developing a wide range of skills that are valued by employers. Aston's Sociology graduates are articulate and intellectually sophisticated; they are able to discuss in informed, analytical and critical ways the most important issues facing today's society.

In combination with the other Combined Honours subjects, Sociology provides a good basis for a wide variety of work, wherever there is demand for an understanding of social processes. This includes management in the private, public and voluntary sectors and, with further professional training, careers in social work, education and communications.

Career prospects

Biology

Graduates can choose from a wide range of careers in health, welfare, bio-medical research and the biological industries. Recent graduates have found positions in research, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, nutritional and brewing industries, environmental conservation and pollution control, scientific Civil Service, and teaching.

Sociology

The programmes are constantly under review to ensure that the currency and scope of the courses are suitable to today's needs and requirements of our graduates, who find employment in many different organisations and businesses, including political parties, business organisations, the Civil Service, semi-public agencies, journalism and academia.