Biology

Programme Structure & Content

First Year
All biologists take three foundation biology courses (Organismal Biology, The Cell, Ecology & Environmental Science) along with Chemistry. This leaves a choice of two additional courses selected from a wide range. First and second year biology classes are taught in state-of-the-art laboratories.

Second Year
All students study Skills for Life Sciences. Options are selected from a wide range of courses in the disciplines of Agriculture & Forestry, Biomedical Sciences, Molecular & Cell Biology, Plant & Soil Science and Zoology. Students may also select a few non-biological courses.

Third Year (Junior Honours)
All students take a course in experimental design and analysis. Other courses are selected from the following disciplines: Agriculture, Anatomy, Biology, Biotechnology, Forestry, Genetics, Microbiology, Plant Biology, Plant and Soil Science, Tropical Biology, Tropical Environmental Science and Zoology.

Fourth Year (Senior Honours)
Further courses are selected, an extended essay is written and a research project or library dissertation is carried out. The research project can be undertaken in any of the biological disciplines, in one of the local research institutes, or elsewhere. Fourth year biologists all have a wide choice of courses available to them. A residential team-building course and a careers programme form part of a graduate skills module.

Teaching & Assessment

Courses use a wide variety of teaching methods including lectures, laboratory practicals, fieldwork, seminars and tutorials. Most courses are assessed by both continuous assessment and a written examination. Continuous assessment takes many forms including essays, practical reports, or group projects. Final year students also attend a residential team-work course.