2018/19 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue

BSc Biology

Total credits: 360

Entry requirements:

A-level: AAA - AAB: Including Biology and preferably another science or science-related subject. If Biology is the only science subject then an A grade is required. Critical Thinking and General Studies excluded. Applicants taking a Science A-level (in England) will be required to achieve a pass in the practical element in addition to the standard A-level grade requirement.
International Baccalaureate: 35-34 (with 18-17 at higher level) including 6 in higher level Biology and another science or science-related subject at higher level.

School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme:

Biological Sciences Undergraduate School

Examination board through which the programme will be considered:

Biological Sciences Undergraduate School

Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups:

Biosciences

Programme specification:

Biology is a wonderfully wide-ranging subject, and Leeds, with one of the UK's largest and most diverse biology teaching groups, is well equipped to deliver. The emphasis of the programme is the whole organism to which everything is related, be it the molecules that form proteins or communities of organisms in an ecosystem. The degree is popular - for some it's the breadth of the subject that appeals, for others it's a path to specialisation. All students have the opportunity to transfer onto our specialist degrees in Genetics, Zoology, and Ecology at the end of the first year.

Level 1 exposes students to the fundamentals of Biology, suitable for progression to all programmes within the biology programme group. Programme-specific core topics are covered at Level 2 preparing for research-led subject specialist modules at Level 3. A Leeds Biology graduate is therefore trained to appreciate how research informs teaching, according to the University and School Mission statements.

At Levels 2 and 3 students are free to choose more than half of their module credits with the proviso a range of modules are selected that reflect the complexity of life forms from molecules, through organisms, both plants and animals, to populations to ensure the breadth of knowledge expected of a graduate with a biology degree. This allows students to develop their own wide-ranging interests in organismal biology. Decisions on what to study are made with input from personal tutors.

The research ethos is developed and fostered from the start via practicals, which are either embedded in lecture modules or taught in dedicated practical modules, research seminars and tutorials. There is a compulsory field course in Level 1, which students must pass in order to progress into Level 2, and optional field courses in Levels 2 and 3. At Level 3 all students carry out an independent research project, which may be a 20 credit library or data analysis project, or a 40 credit field or laboratory based project.

Academic tutorials are held at Levels 1 and 2 with the same tutor, who is also the personal tutor, providing continuity and progressive guidance. Level 1 and 2 tutorials include a number of workshops to teach skills, eg library use and presentation skills, followed by assessed exercises, eg essays and talks, as opportunities to practice these skills in a subject-specific context.

International years and Industrial placements are also offered and individual needs are discussed with the appropriate tutor and accommodated wherever possible.

Year1 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Candidates will be required to study 120 credits

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Optional modules:

Students may study up to 10 credits from the following optional modules:

Discovery modules:

Candidates may study up to 10 credits of discovery modules.

Year2 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Candidates will be required to study 120 credits.

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Optional modules:

Candidates must take overall at least 50 credits and up to 70 credits of optional modules from Group A (Genetics) & Group B (Organisms).

GROUP A: GENETICS
Candidates must take at least 10 credits and up to a maximum of 40 credits from the following group of modules.

GROUP B: ORGANISMS
Candidates must take at least 20 credits and up to a maximum of 60 credits from the following group of modules.

Candidates can only choose either BLGY2313 or BLGY2330, not both.
If BLGY2330 is taken students must also take either or both BLGY2222 and BLGY2223.

Candidates may study up to 20 credits of the following optional "non-Biology" modules.
Candidates must ensure that these modules do not clash with core or group options (A or B).

Candidates may take either BIOL2210 OR BMSC2224.
Candidates may take either MICR2221 OR MICR2222.

Discovery modules:

Candidates may study up to 20 credits of discovery modules.

Year3 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Candidates will be required to study 120 credits

Compulsory modules:

Candidates must choose a 40 credit project module.

Optional modules:

Students will be required to study a minimum of 80 credits of optional modules:

Candidates must choose at least 10 credits from each of the 'organisational' groups - genetics, organisms (both plants and animals), ecology.

GROUP A: GENETICS

GROUP B: ORGANISMS (ANIMALS)

GROUP C: ORGANISMS (PLANTS)

GROUP D: ECOLOGY

Last updated: 06/08/2018

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