2024/25 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue

BSc Biological Sciences (For students entering from September 2024 onwards)

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 Molecular and Cellular Biology

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 from September 2024. For students who entered the programme before September 2024, you can find the details of your programme: BSc Biological Sciences


Biological sciences is an interdisciplinary program that provides you the opportunity to study the molecular and cellular aspects of life that underpin how cells respond to and influence their environment. Your course will focus on areas of biological sciences that underpin our understanding of life on earth and are fundamental to tackling global challenges such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, ageing, antibiotic resistance and emerging viruses. Biological Sciences is our most flexible and interdisciplinary degree, enabling you to build a broad knowledge base in your first year, with opportunities to tailor your studies and specialise in themes such as Molecular Medicine; Infection and Disease; or Genome Biology and Disease in subsequent years of the course.

In your first year you will learn about the fundamental processes and molecular basis of life, that underpin biological processes in all living organisms. Through further compulsory modules you will gain essential foundational knowledge in modern microbiology, genetics and immunology. The skills modules will build your practical, numeracy and problem-solving skills, and develop your understanding of the lecture material. By choosing from a range of optional modules will have the opportunity to add flexibility to these foundational areas of biological sciences.

In your second year you will build upon your year one core modules, but with a focus on advanced topics such as omics and big data biology and how diseases disrupt cellular structure and function. You will have the opportunity to focus your studies in one of three themes over the remaining years of the course:

Molecular medicine – focuses on the molecular and cellular basis of human diseases, such as cancer.

Infection and disease – focus on virology and bacteriology to understand current and emerging infections.

Genome biology and disease – includes bioinformatics and human genetics and aims to understand the role played by genes in human health.

Through more extended projects, the second-year skills modules provide the opportunity to utilise multiple experimental approaches and take greater responsibility for your work.

In year 3 you will conduct an independent research project under the supervision of one of our world-leading scientists, applying all the skills you have developed during your degree. This can be laboratory-based, literature-based, or computer-based. Alongside this, you will select from a range of advanced lecture modules that align with your chosen theme and develop skills in the critical review of biological sciences research and the presentation of scientific findings to scientific and non-specialist audiences.

Through the development of a range of transferable skills such as data analysis, interpretation and critical appraisal, team working and presentational skills the program provides excellent graduate employability amongst top employers, both within and beyond scientific research.

This 3-year BSc can be converted into a 4-year integrated Masters (MBiol), subject to suitable academic performance and availability. In years 3 and 4 you would receive additional specialist training, study advanced research topics and undertake your own extended research project. In addition, students have the opportunity to spend a year working in industry, or take a study year abroad. These would take place between years two and three of the degree programme.

Year1 - View timetable

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

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Optional modules:

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

Discovery modules:

Alternatively, candidates can select BLGY1124 or BMSC1112, and enrol on a 10 credit discovery module

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.

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
* Intermediate skills in the molecular biosciences - 20 Credits
* Intermediate Skills in cell biology - 20 Credits

Optional modules:

For their remaining credits candidates must select one of the themes listed below. Candidates must select all the modules marked as compulsory for their chosen theme, and follow instructions for selecting the correct combination of optional modules.

Theme 1: Infection and disease
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Medical Microbiology - 20 Credits

Candidates will be required to select 20 credits of the following optional modules in semester two

Alternatively, candidates can select 10 credits of options from the above and a 10 credit Discovery module

Theme 2: Molecular Medicine
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules

Candidates will be required to select 20 credits of the following optional modules in semester two

Alternatively, candidates can select 10 credits of options from the above and a 10 credit Discovery module

Theme 3: Genome Biology and Disease
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules

Candidates will be required to select 20 credits of the following optional modules in semester one

Alternatively, candidates can select 10 credits of options from the above and a 10 credit Discovery module

Candidates will be required to select 20 credits of the following optional modules in semester two:

Medical Microbiology - 20 Credits

Theme 3: Genome Biology and Disease
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules

Discovery modules:

Year3 - 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 year 3 are not yet available. Before you enter year 3 full details of modules for that year will be provided.

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules

Optional modules:

For their remaining credits candidates must select modules following the theme they chose in year two of the programme. Candidates must select all the modules marked as compulsory for their chosen theme, and follow instructions for selecting the correct combination of optional modules.

Theme 1: Infection and Disease
Candidates must select the following compulsory modules

Theme 2: Molecular Medicine
Candidates must select the following compulsory modules

Theme 3: Genome biology and disease
Candidates must select the following compulsory modules

Candidates must select 20 credits of the following options in semester two

Last updated: 29/04/2024 16:03:29

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