BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences

Year 1

In your first year, you will obtain a strong foundation across the spectrum of the biological sciences. You will begin with an intensive 4 week induction module through which you will obtain key skills in use of the scientific literature, data analysis and interpretation, academic writing and presenting and communicating your findings in both written and oral formats. You will then study cell biology, microbiology and the physiology of animals and plants, whilst furthering your transferable skills. You will undertake laboratory based practicals in a range of different areas that underpin and complement your lecture-based learning. You will undertake a field biology module at Slapton in South Devon (a residential field course included in your tuition fees), during which you will study natural history and taxonomy of wild animals and plants, whilst learning to design and carry out experimental work in the field.

Core modules

• BIOL111Z Animal and Plant Physiology

• BIOL119Z Introduction to Biology

• BIOL120Z Cell Biology and Microbiology

• BIOL127Z Evolution

• BIOL129Z Professional Development in Biological Sciences 1

• BIOL130Z Biological Sciences Field Biology

Optional modules

• BHCS1004PPZ Introduction to Human Pathology

• BIOL124PPZ Biology of Sex

• BIOL125PPZ Scientific Method and Ethics in Biology

Year 2

In your second year, you’ll build on your growing knowledge of physiology, plant biology, microbiology and the methods and techniques of biological science. You will undertake a team-based microbiology research project through which you will gain core transferable skills in team work and working with new people alongside core research and bench skills. You will customise your studies through optional modules in ecology and the molecular basis of disease. A key part of your second year is a residential field trip to the Azores - included in your tuition fees - which takes place in late August or early September just before your second year start. During this course you will study life in extreme environments at geothermal springs and volcanic lakes and will undertake ecological studies of invasive and endemic species in the broad range of unique ecosystems that the Azores offers.

You can alternatively undertake your second year at one of a selection of overseas universities through our Year Abroad scheme. When you return, you will go straight into your final year, so you degree still takes 3 years overall.

Core modules

• BIOL211Z Microbial Physiology and Biochemistry

• BIOL212Z Environmental Cell Physiology

• BIOL213Z Methods in Biological Sciences

• BIOL217Z Environmental Plant Physiology

• BIOL225Z Professional Development in Biological Sciences 2

• BIOL226Z Animal Ecophysiology

Optional modules

• BIOL210Z Molecular and Genetic Basis of Disease

• BIOL214Z Ecology

Optional placement year

Many of our students carry out an optional placement year between their second and final years. You can undertake either two 3 month work placements or one 6 month placement, though many of our students opt to spent up to 12 months at their placement provider. You will be supported by a Placement Adviser - a member of academic staff from the School - who will act as your point of contact with the University. Examples of placement providers that our students have been based at in the past have been highly diverse, from nature reserves and bird sanctuaries to Aarhus University, Denmark, undertaking research in cold-loving iron-reducing bacteria, including fieldwork to the Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic Circle.

Given the opportunities a Placement Year gives and the positive impact it brings to employability, we strongly encourage all students to give serious consideration to undertaking a Placement Year.

Core modules

• APIE303 Biology:Placement

Final year

In your final year of study, you will study from a range of optional modules, allowing you to specialise in plant biotechnology, environmental microbiology, global change biology, bioprospecting, animal nutrition, animal and society and eco toxicology. You will also study our Advanced Skills and Concepts module, within which you will select three 'podules', allowing you to specialise in key practical-focused areas that have been developed to give you industry-relevant skills not typically found within undergraduate programmes. In common with all honours degrees in the UK, a major part of your final year is your research project, in which you will apply the skills and understanding you have developed through your studies to a piece of research, supervised by a member of academic staff

Core modules

• BIOL307Z Advanced Skills and Concepts

• BIOL311Z Ecotoxicology

• BIOL315Z Personal Research

Optional modules

• BIOL301Z Plant Biotechnology

• BIOL310Z Global Change Biology

• BIOL320Z Animal Nutrition

• BIOL321Z Pharmacology and Natural Products

• BIOL3313Z Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.