2023/24 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue

BSc Biology

Total credits: 360

Entry requirements:

A-level: AAA - AAB, including Biology and another science or science-related subject (Science subjects: biology, human biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics or Science-related subjects: PE, computing, environmental science, food science, geography, geology, psychology, science in society, statistics, use of mathematics). 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.
- IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any component or equivalent English language qualification.

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 related degree programmes in Genetics, Zoology, and Ecology and Conservation Biology 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 40 credit research project, which may be a library, data analysis, 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 or 10 credits of discovery 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:

GROUP A: GENETICS
Candidates must take at least 20 credits credits from the following group of modules.

Candidates can only choose either BIOL2113 OR BIOL2114, not both.

GROUP B: ORGANISMS
Candidates must take at least 20 credits from the following group of modules.

Candidates can only choose either BLGY2313 or BLGY2265, not both.

GROUP C:
Candidates may study up to 20 credits of the following optional modules or may take up to 20 credits of discovery modules.

Candidates must ensure that these modules do not clash with core or group options (A or B).

Discovery modules:

Candidates may study up to 20 credits of discovery modules if they have not already taken 20 credits of optional modules from Group C.

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 80 credits of optional (including discovery) modules. Candidates must choose at least 10 credits from each of the 'organisational' groups: A) Genetics, B) Animals, C) Plants, D) Ecology. A single module may not be used to represent more than one of these groups. For example, students choosing BLGY3245 Advanced Topics in Evolution as their Group B Animal module are required to choose a different module to represent their Group D Ecology selection.

GROUP A: GENETICS

GROUP B: ANIMALS

GROUP C: PLANTS

GROUP D: ECOLOGY

Discovery modules:

Candidates may choose up to 10 credits of discovery modules.

Last updated: 12/05/2023 15:36:50

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

• Undergraduate module catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD