Life Sciences (with Dundee & Angus College) BSc (Hons)

The first two years will provide you with a broad-based working knowledge and understanding of living organisms at all levels of organisation: from molecules and cells through tissues and organs to the organisms themselves and the ecosystems in which they live. In all cases, you will be encouraged to consider how evolution through natural selection has acted to shape the living and extinct organisms that you encounter in their studies.

Compulsory modules at Dundee & Angus College:

• Presentation Skills in Science
• Statistics for Science
• Information Technology Applications Software 1
• Fundamental Chemistry: Theory and Practice
• Cell Biology: Theory and Practice
• DNA Structure and Function Microbiology: Theory and Practice
• Quality and Health & Safety Systems in Science Industries
• Applied Sciences: Graded Unit 1
• Biochemistry: Theory and Practice
• Microbiology: Theory and Practice

Optional modules at Dundee & Angus College:

• Fundamental Chemistry: An Introduction
• Genetics

Optional modules at University of Dundee:

• Introduction to the Life Sciences: The Early Years
• Introduction to the Life Sciences: Why go multicellular?
• Life : Building the organism
• Life : The Underlying Structures

Compulsory modules at the University of Dundee:

• The Evolution of Modern Life
• The Gene and the Cell
• Laboratory and Research Skills 2A
• Laboratory and Research Skills 2B
• Biomedical Sciences
• Biological Sciences
• Laboratory and Research Skills 2C

Optional modules at University of Dundee:

Level 3 (equivalent to SCQF 9) is based around two themes, the Biological Sciences and the Biomedical Sciences.

The Biological Sciences theme supports your development as a broader life scientist, and allows you to focus on current areas of research excellence in the College - many of these use the same principles and technologies to study different problems and, as the year progresses, you will be choosing which areas interest you more, and therefore which of several degree streams is best for you.

These include:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular biology
• Molecular genetics
• Microbiology
• Biological chemistry and drug discovery
• Drug discovery

The Biomedical Sciences theme prepares you for degrees in subjects in which subject-specific knowledge has a stronger role, while still being within the research excellence of the University, and which are focussed more on the human condition:

• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Physiological sciences

At the end of Level 3, you may leave with a non-Honours degree in Biological or Biomedical Sciences, an excellent foundation for many careers.

Between Levels 3 and 4, you have the opportunity to take a year out of Dundee, either studying abroad, or on a full-time work placement. Both of these can give you a 'real world' perspective on your studies, while further developing your CV.

Level 4 (equivalent to SCQF 10) continues the specialisation of Level 3, focussing strongly on your degree choice, and with a significant laboratory and skills element, through the Honours project and seminars and presentations.

At the end of Level 4, you will either graduate with an Honours degree in a named single subject, or a more general Honours degree in Biological Sciences or Biomedical Sciences.

The Level 5 curriculum will provide an opportunity for extensive development of your research and analytical skills in the subject area you feel most passionate about.

This level, the Integrated Masters, consists of an extensive research project, coupled with in-depth analytical seminars and research training, which will prepare you for the world of biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, both in and out of the academic world.

If you want to do the Masters year, you will need to achieve high scores throughout your studies, as progression into this part of the course will be competitive.

Throughout your scientific studies you will be developing transferable skills.

At Levels 1 to 3 you will be taught transferable skills, either embedded within the core curriculum, or as part of the pastoral and academic tutorial system. Your degree programme will involve a combination of independent learning and team work, through which you will develop your skills in information processing, use of computers, problem-solving, experimental design, analysis and critical evaluation of scientific literature, report writing, making presentations, communication and time management. These are important elements of all of our degree programmes, and they will help to ensure that you have the skills to make you attractive to a wide range of employers.