2024/25 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue

BSc Biology and History and Philosophy of Science

Total credits: 360

Entry requirements:

Entry Requirements are available on the Course Search entry

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

School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science

Examination board through which the programme will be considered:

School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science

Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups:

Programme specification:

The information on this page is accurate for students entering the programme in 2022/2023 or before. For students entering the programme from September 2023 or after, you can find the details of your programme:

BSc Biology and History and Philosophy of Science (For students entering from September 2023 onwards)

This programme is full time and in person. It does not include any distance learning elements.
Your course
This course enables you to develop knowledge and skills through an exploration of the science and philosophy of living things, as well as a historical understanding of how these fields of study have evolved over time.
You’ll combine practical lab work with classroom-based learning, developing a broad set of biological knowledge and skills, whilst exploring the history of scientific thought and the nature of scientific knowledge.
At level 1, students will be exposed to core topics in each discipline through both compulsory and optional modules. This will allow them to begin to identify areas of personal interest which they may wish to pursue at higher levels. At higher levels, the programme is designed to provide the opportunity to acquire knowledge of and competence in a range of core topics and generic skills in each discipline, and progressively specialise in a disciplinary sub-field (such as history of science, philosophy of science, ecology, genetics, animal behaviour, plant development, conservation, evolution and adaptation). They may undertake a final year project in either of the disciplines. This enables students to build a personalised portfolio of knowledge and competencies in each discipline, which can be adjusted according to an individual student’s intellectual ambitions, needs, and interests.

The programme showcases the distinctive areas of research strength in Philosophy and Biology at Leeds. Modules at higher levels will offer the opportunity to engage with current research of academics in each of the Schools, especially at level 3.

At each level, students may study Discovery modules to expand their knowledge and/or skills beyond their programme of study, which provides a further opportunity to shape their study to their ambitions, interests and needs.

The programme has an international variant, which includes a study abroad year at Level 3, and an industrial variant, which includes a work placement year at Level 3.
Your future
Students will gain a suite of transferrable skills valued by employers, such as good organisational skills (gained through developing a personal path through their programme, engagement with study-related activities, and meeting assessment deadlines), independent research skills including how to conduct scientific research, the ability to analyse and interpret texts, information and data, the ability to analyse complex information from multiple sources, ability to construct arguments and to effectively communicate their views, and awareness of how cultural or historical context influences scholarship in the disciplines and issues in contemporary science. These skills will help our students either transition into an employment environment after leaving us, or into further education if that is the route they choose.
Our world
Science has an important role to play in shaping our world for the better. But we live at a time when the value and authority of scientific enquiry is called into question by some people or feared because of the new techniques and real-world applications it develops. This course will provide you with a developed and informed understanding of the value of science in general and biological science in particular, and how to address scepticism about them. It equips you to make a personal contribution to society as an advocate for the value of scientific enquiry but to also understand its limits.

Year1 - View timetable

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

Candidates must study 120 credits which may include up to 20 credits of Discovery modules.
Candidates must pass at least 100 credits, including any PFP modules and a minimum of 60 credits in Biology (BLGY) and 40 credits in History and Philosophy of Science (HPSC or PHIL), to progress to the next year of the programme.

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study at least 10 credits from the following History of Science optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study at least 10 credits from the following Philosophy optional modules:

Discovery modules:

Candidates may study up to 20 credits of discovery modules

Year2 - View timetable

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

We are currently refreshing our courses to make sure students have the best possible experience. Full module details for years 2 and 3 are not yet available. Before you enter years 2 and 3 details of modules for those years will be provided.

Candidates must study 120 credits which may include up to 20 credits of Discovery modules.
Candidates must pass at least 100 credits, including any PFP modules and a minimum of 40 credits in Biology (BLGY) and 40 credits in History and Philosophy of Science (HPSC or PHIL), to progress to the next year of the programme.

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 20-40 credits from the following HPS optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 20-40 credits from the following Biology optional modules:

Candidates may study up to 20 credits from the following Biology optional modules:

Discovery modules:

Candidates may study the following module or 20 credits of discovery modules:

Year3 - View timetable

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

Over levels 2 and 3 combined students must pass:

- Biology: a minimum of 80 credits (at least 40 credits must be at level 3)
- History and Philosophy of Science: a minimum of 80 credits (at least 40 credits must be at level 3)
- Plus 40 credits in the named subjects and used to ensure that credits at the appropriate level for award are taken.
- Plus 40 credits in elective modules or further modules in the named subjects.

In order to be eligible for an honours degree, students must meet the normal Rules for Award by passing all modules which are designated to be passed for award or progression and by passing the required number of credits at each level as specified in the Curricular Regulations (at least 200 credits at level 2 or above, of which at least 100 should be at level 3). Students must pass at least 100 credits at Level 3 and all core modules to proceed to gain the degree.

Compulsory modules:

Optional modules:

Candidates are required to select ONE of the following modules:

Candidates are required to select at least sufficient credits from the following modules to fulfil the programme requirements. PHIL3320 and PHIL3311 are mutually exclusive.

BLGY3300 cannot be counted towards the required total of 40 credits at level 3 in Biology

Discovery modules:

Candidates may choose to study up to 40 credits of Discovery modules over both Level 2 and 3 or pursue additional modules in the two named subjects.

Last updated: 08/05/2024 17:07:04

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