Biology

In the first year, your typical weekly timetable can be broken down into the following categories:

• Lectures: around eight hours a week
• Research skills: around six hours of laboratory practicals, one hour of computer practicals and one hour of synthesis sessions each week
• Tutorials: one hour a week, plus preparation time. In the second, third and fourth years, variable hours are also spent on research projects.

In the second and third years, variable hours are also spent on coursework elements. Tutorials are usually 2-4 students and a tutor. Lectures and practical class sizes will vary depending on the options chosen. They will normally range from around 115 students in the class to as few as 20 students in the class. Most tutorials, classes, and lectures are delivered by staff who are tutors in their subject. Many are world-leading experts with years of experience in teaching and research. Some teaching may also be delivered by postgraduate students who are usually studying at doctorate level.

To find out more about how our teaching year is structured, visit our Academic Year page.

• The three compulsory themes are:
  • Diversity of life
  • How to build a phenotype
  • Ecology and evolution
• Compulsory skills training including a mini-project in the first term
• A week-long field course in Wales in the summer term

ASSESSMENT

Three written exam papers (assessing lecture material and research skills); assessed practical write-ups

• In Year 2 there is greater specialisation, and you can choose from three of four themes from:
  • Genomes and molecular biology
  • Cell and developmental biology
  • Behaviour and physiology of organisms
  • Ecology and evolution
• Students can choose from a range of extended skills training courses, lasting for either one or two weeks

ASSESSMENT

Two written exam papers; practical write-ups; coursework

• The course broadens into a choice of eight options arising from the four second year themes. Students select a minimum of four of the eight options.

• Regular skills training regardless of course choices

A full list of current options is available on the Biology website.

ASSESSMENT

Three written exam papers (including a scientific paper critique); two pieces of coursework

The fourth year will give you the chance to pursue an in-depth research project under the supervision of an academic member of staff. There will also be a mini-conference in which all students have the opportunity to present their work to their peers. Progression to the fourth year is contingent on satisfactory academic performance in the first three years, and those who successfully complete the fourth year will leave with an MBiol.

ASSESSMENT

Research project

• The three compulsory themes are:
  • Diversity of life
  • How to build a phenotype
  • Ecology and evolution
• Compulsory skills training including a mini-project in the first term
• A week-long field course in Wales in the summer term

ASSESSMENT

Three written exam papers (assessing lecture material and research skills); assessed practical write-ups

• In Year 2 there is greater specialisation, and you can choose from three of four themes from:
  • Genomes and molecular biology
  • Cell and developmental biology
  • Behaviour and physiology of organisms
  • Ecology and evolution
• Students can choose from a range of extended skills training courses, lasting for either one or two weeks

ASSESSMENT

Two written exam papers; practical write-ups; coursework

• The course broadens into a choice of eight options arising from the four second year themes. Students select a minimum of four of the eight options.

• Regular skills training regardless of course choices

A full list of current options is available on the Biology website.

ASSESSMENT

Three written exam papers (including a scientific paper critique); two pieces of coursework

The fourth year will give you the chance to pursue an in-depth research project under the supervision of an academic member of staff. There will also be a mini-conference in which all students have the opportunity to present their work to their peers. Progression to the fourth year is contingent on satisfactory academic performance in the first three years, and those who successfully complete the fourth year will leave with an MBiol.

ASSESSMENT

Research project

• The three compulsory themes are:
  • Diversity of life
  • How to build a phenotype
  • Ecology and evolution
• Compulsory skills training including a mini-project in the first term
• A week-long field course in Wales in the summer term

ASSESSMENT

Three written exam papers (assessing lecture material and research skills); assessed practical write-ups

• The three compulsory themes are:
  • Diversity of life
  • How to build a phenotype
  • Ecology and evolution
• Compulsory skills training including a mini-project in the first term
• A week-long field course in Wales in the summer term

• The three compulsory themes are:
  • Diversity of life
  • How to build a phenotype
  • Ecology and evolution
• Compulsory skills training including a mini-project in the first term
• A week-long field course in Wales in the summer term

• Diversity of life
• How to build a phenotype
• Ecology and evolution

ASSESSMENT

Three written exam papers (assessing lecture material and research skills); assessed practical write-ups

ASSESSMENT

Three written exam papers (assessing lecture material and research skills); assessed practical write-ups

• In Year 2 there is greater specialisation, and you can choose from three of four themes from:
  • Genomes and molecular biology
  • Cell and developmental biology
  • Behaviour and physiology of organisms
  • Ecology and evolution
• Students can choose from a range of extended skills training courses, lasting for either one or two weeks

ASSESSMENT

Two written exam papers; practical write-ups; coursework

• In Year 2 there is greater specialisation, and you can choose from three of four themes from:
  • Genomes and molecular biology
  • Cell and developmental biology
  • Behaviour and physiology of organisms
  • Ecology and evolution
• Students can choose from a range of extended skills training courses, lasting for either one or two weeks

• In Year 2 there is greater specialisation, and you can choose from three of four themes from:
  • Genomes and molecular biology
  • Cell and developmental biology
  • Behaviour and physiology of organisms
  • Ecology and evolution
• Students can choose from a range of extended skills training courses, lasting for either one or two weeks

• Genomes and molecular biology
• Cell and developmental biology
• Behaviour and physiology of organisms
• Ecology and evolution

ASSESSMENT

Two written exam papers; practical write-ups; coursework

ASSESSMENT

Two written exam papers; practical write-ups; coursework

• The course broadens into a choice of eight options arising from the four second year themes. Students select a minimum of four of the eight options.

• Regular skills training regardless of course choices

A full list of current options is available on the Biology website.

ASSESSMENT

Three written exam papers (including a scientific paper critique); two pieces of coursework

• The course broadens into a choice of eight options arising from the four second year themes. Students select a minimum of four of the eight options.

• Regular skills training regardless of course choices

A full list of current options is available on the Biology website.

• The course broadens into a choice of eight options arising from the four second year themes. Students select a minimum of four of the eight options.

• Regular skills training regardless of course choices

The course broadens into a choice of eight options arising from the four second year themes. Students select a minimum of four of the eight options.

A full list of current options is available on the Biology website.

ASSESSMENT

Three written exam papers (including a scientific paper critique); two pieces of coursework

ASSESSMENT

Three written exam papers (including a scientific paper critique); two pieces of coursework

The fourth year will give you the chance to pursue an in-depth research project under the supervision of an academic member of staff. There will also be a mini-conference in which all students have the opportunity to present their work to their peers. Progression to the fourth year is contingent on satisfactory academic performance in the first three years, and those who successfully complete the fourth year will leave with an MBiol.

ASSESSMENT

Research project

The fourth year will give you the chance to pursue an in-depth research project under the supervision of an academic member of staff. There will also be a mini-conference in which all students have the opportunity to present their work to their peers. Progression to the fourth year is contingent on satisfactory academic performance in the first three years, and those who successfully complete the fourth year will leave with an MBiol.

The fourth year will give you the chance to pursue an in-depth research project under the supervision of an academic member of staff. There will also be a mini-conference in which all students have the opportunity to present their work to their peers. Progression to the fourth year is contingent on satisfactory academic performance in the first three years, and those who successfully complete the fourth year will leave with an MBiol.

ASSESSMENT

Research project

ASSESSMENT

Research project

* Students can choose to leave after three years and graduate with a BA, or they can continue to a fourth year and graduate with an MBiol. Progression to the MBiol is contingent on satisfactory academic performance in the first three years.

The content and format of this course may change in some circumstances. Read further information about potential course changes.

The content and format of this course may change in some circumstances. Read further information about potential course changes.

The content and format of this course may change in some circumstances. Read further information about potential course changes.

Next
Admissions RequirementsPrevious
Overview