2024/25 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue

BSc Biology

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 Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences

Examination board through which the programme will be considered:

Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups:

Biosciences

Programme specification:

The information on this page is accurate for students entering the programme in 2023/2024 or before. For students entering the programme from September 2024 or after, you can find the details of your programme:

BSc Biology(For students entering from September 2024 onwards)

From genes to behaviour and evolution to ecology, studying Biology at Leeds will provide you with a holistic understanding of the whole topic. Personalise your degree to match your needs as you progress; will you choose to pursue human biology, conservation, immunology, genetic engineering or any one of the other study areas the University of Leeds has to offer?

Biology has vital applications in current key global challenges. An ever-growing world population and a changing climate puts immense pressures on the environment, threatens endangered species and reduces agricultural production. With your degree, you will be at the forefront of providing sustainable solutions to these issues.

Be part of the revolution in genomics, gene modification and biotechnology currently transforming the world. Equipped with the skills and knowledge of the fundamental biological processes, you will help drive forward science-based solutions to some of the world’s biggest issues.

Year 1
You will be provided with the foundation for your degree programme, incorporating core elements of genetics, organismal biology, molecular and cellular biology. In addition, skills modules will cover statistics, study skills, laboratory techniques and a residential field course.
Modules cover globally relevant topics including sustainable agriculture, marine biology, conservation of tropical forests, genome engineering with CRISPR Cas technologies and intracellular signalling. Choose from an extensive range of optional modules including immunology, virology or even learning a new language in a discovery module.
Practical skills include the core techniques for genetic engineering, from isolating DNA, amplification by PCR, molecular cloning and recombinant protein expression and purification, you will cover the essential techniques used routinely in research labs and industry. You’ll also develop key field skills to begin your research journey in a range of habitats.
https://biologicalsciences.leeds.ac.uk/field-courses-1At the end of year 1, our flexible degree structure offers you the opportunity to transfer onto other suitable degree courses within the school of biology.

Year 2
Year 2 of the course is flexible, with core modules covering a broad range of biological concepts, leaving you to choose modules related to your interests and aspirations. You’ll advance your understanding, analytical expertise and study skills with core modules covering human, animal and plant biology.
In the core skills module, you will gain transferable skills including problem-solving, data analysis, teamwork and communication skills. Small group tutorials will support the rest of your studies through developing presentation skills, producing high-quality written work and learning to effectively use scientific literature. Your skills module will also provide training in statistics and experimental design, preparing you for projects later in the course.
Tailor your degree with a range of optional modules that include topics in ecology, human genetics, genomics, microbiology and parasitology. You will choose at least 40 credits of Biology options and up to 20 credits of other modules of your choice, including discovery modules. For example, the Omics and Big Data Biology module covers state-of-the-art skills in analysing the outputs from high throughput research techniques in biology, including sequencing and proteomics approaches that are revolutionising research and medicine.
Another option is population, community and conservation ecology which studies the dynamics of biologica l populations including the interactions between species and the environment and investigates the properties of ecological communities. Importantly, the course also covers the application of these principles to population management and conservation, with practical examples. You can even visit the University Farm, home to the new £11 million National Pig Centre as part of an optional module where you’ll learn about animal nutrition and behaviour. https://biologicalsciences.leeds.ac.uk/field-courses-1. You’ll also have the opportunity to choose field course modules in Mediterranean ecology in Spain and urban ecology in the heart of Leeds.

At the end of year 2, you will have the opportunity to complete an industrial work placement, study abroad, or combined study and work abroad. This adds an additional year of study to your degree.

Year1 - View timetable

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

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules

Optional modules:

Candidates may study 10 credits from the following optional modules:

Discovery modules:

Alternatively, candidates may choose to study 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 from the following group of modules.

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

Candidates can only choose either BLGY2297 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: 29/04/2024 16:03:44

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