2024/25 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue
MBiol, BSc Biology (Integrated Masters)
| Programme code: | MBBS-BLGY | UCAS code: | C109 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: | 4 Years | Method of Attendance: | Full Time |
| Programme manager: | Dr Chris West | Contact address: | c.e.west@leeds.ac.uk |
Total credits: 480
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
Professional Body Offering Accreditation:
Royal Society of Biology Advanced Accreditation
Programme specification:
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.
The MBiol, BSc offers students an excellent breadth and depth of knowledge plus the exceptional experience of advanced research. The initial two years of the programme follows the existing BSc Biology programme. The year 3 will be similar to that for students enrolled on the 3 year BSc programme but the 40 credit research project will focus on preparation for the final year. The fourth year of the programme is research focused, comprising a 90 credit research project and 30 credits of advanced research training. There is a strong emphasis on independent learning, problem solving and data analysis, taught in the context of the subject. The extended individual project allows students to develop their research skills in greater depth and produce a report containing significant new data that could contribute to a research publication.
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.
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.
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.
Year 1 compulsory field course: coastal and uplands habitats.
During this residential field course you will study coastal and upland habitats, where your research ethos is developed and fostered from the start through practicals and tutorials.
At the end of year 1, our flexible degree structure offers you the opportunity to transfer onto other suitable degree courses.
Year 2
Year 2 of the course is incredibly flexible, with 60 credits of compulsory modules, leaving 60 credits as optional. You’ll advance your understanding, analytical expertise and study skills with core modules in human, animal and plant biology.
In the core skills module, you will gain transferable skills including problem-solving, data analysis, teamwork and communication skills and working in small group tutorials. These will support the rest of your studies through enhanced presentations, producing high-quality reports and effective use of scientific literature. This module also provides 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 le ast 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 biological 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.
Year 3
In year 3 you can select modules to suit your career ambitions and interests from module groupings which cover:
Ecology, evolution and behaviour - includes how animal groups function as societies, and a series of research-led advanced topics modules in ecology and conservation science and behaviour
Physiology and genetics - includes teaching from clinical geneticists at St James hospital whilst other modules cover topics such as plant development and biotechnology and studying animal physiology in the context of agriculture
Our advanced topics modules cover animal behaviour, conservation science, ecology, evolution and human genetics, and allow you to develop real depth of knowledge in your favourite areas of biology.
Year 3 MBiol project
The project provides essential preparation for your year 4 extended research project. The emphasis in this year is placed on project design and planning, as well as providing the hands-on specialist practical skills that will be essential in the final year, either in the lab or the field depending on your chosen topic.
Year 4 MBiol
Your extended research project is the pinnacle of your MBiol studies and can be field or lab-based. Most of year 4 is devoted to your research project, allowing you to work alongside our experts to explore a specific topic in biology. This helps to develop high-level research and professional skills that will serve you well in your future career.
Alongside this, you will study a range of Masters-level optional including modules in the area of bioscience and conservation.
Year1 - View timetable
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
Compulsory modules:
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules
| BLGY1128 | Living Planet | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BLGY1212 | Using Biology to Feed the World | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BLGY1237 | Introduction to Genetics | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BLGY1300 | Coastal and Upland Habitats Field Course | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BLGY1307 | Research & Study Skills Level 1 | 20 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| BLGY1326 | Practical Skills for Biology and Genetics | 20 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| FOBS1135 | The Basis of Life | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Optional modules:
Candidates may study 10 credits from the following optional modules:
| BLGY1238 | Exploring Whole Organism Biology in the Lab and Field | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BMSC1200 | Biology of the Mind | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MICR1202 | The Microbial World | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MICR1221 | Introduction to Immunology | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Alternatively, candidates may choose to study 10 credits of discovery modules
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:
| BLGY2164 | How Plants Live | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BLGY2220 | Evolution, Adaptation and Behaviour | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BLGY2304 | Research and Study Skills Level 2 | 20 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Optional modules:
GROUP A: GENETICS
Candidates must take at least 20 credits from the following group of modules.
| BIOL2114 | Omics and Big Data Biology | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BLGY2201 | Introduction to Bioinformatics | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BLGY2296 | Human Genetics | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
GROUP B: ORGANISMS
Candidates must take at least 20 credits from the following group of modules.
| BLGY2106 | Parasitology | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BLGY2146 | Animal Physiology | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BLGY2155 | Population, Community and Conservation Ecology Pre-requisite for: Pre-requisite for: BLGY3133 & BLGY3247 | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BLGY2175 | Human Populations | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BLGY2225 | Sustainable Food Production | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BLGY2265 | Urban Ecology and Conservation Field Course | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BLGY2297 | Mediterranean Ecology Field Course | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
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.
| BIOL2210 | Biological Membranes and Cell Signalling | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BIOL2211 | Human Diseases | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BIOL2212 | Chemotherapy | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BMSC2118 | Neurobiology | 20 credits | Not running in 202425 | |
| MICR2121 | Molecular Virology | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MICR2221 | Medical Immunology | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MICR2222 | Medical Virology | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
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.
Year3 - 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 module:
| BLGY3397 | Advanced Research Skills and Experience | 40 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
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
| BLGY3109 | Applied Genetics | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BLGY3153 | Advanced Topics in Human Genetics and Epigenetics | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BLGY3246 | Evolution and Population Genetics | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BLGY3255 | Plant Development: Making a plant in theory and practice | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
GROUP B: ANIMALS
| BLGY3222 | Social Biology | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BLGY3223 | Animal Developmental Biology | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BLGY3224 | Advanced Topics in Animal Science | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BLGY3245 | Advanced Topics in Evolution | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BLGY3300 | Level 3 Field Course (South Africa) | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
GROUP C: ORGANISMS (PLANTS)
| BLGY3173 | Plant Growth, Resources and Food Security | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BLGY3255 | Plant Development: Making a plant in theory and practice | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
GROUP D: ECOLOGY
| BLGY3133 | Advanced Topics in Ecology Pre-requisite for: BLGY2155 | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BLGY3135 | Advanced Topics in Behaviour: from sex to death | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BLGY3245 | Advanced Topics in Evolution | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BLGY3246 | Evolution and Population Genetics | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BLGY3247 | Advanced Topics in Conservation Science | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BLGY3300 | Level 3 Field Course (South Africa) | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Discovery modules:
Candidates may choose up to 10 credits of discovery modules.
Year4 - View timetable
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
Candidates will be required to study a minimum of 120 credits.
Compulsory modules:
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory module:
| BLGY5381M | Extended Research Project | 90 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Optional modules:
Candidates will be required to study a minimum of 30 Credits of advanced research training from the following optional modules:
| BIOL5125M | Infectious and Non-Infectious Diseases | 15 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BIOL5126M | Practical Bioinformatics | 15 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BIOL5201M | Advanced Biomolecular Technologies | 15 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BIOL5207M | Medical Diagnostics | 15 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BLGY5102M | Community Ecology | 15 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BLGY5119M | Introduction to GIS | 15 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BLGY5121M | Advanced Statistics | 15 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BLGY5132M | Global Challenges in Sustainable Agriculture | 15 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BLGY5133M | Crop Production in a Changing Environment | 15 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BLGY5134M | Sustainable Diets and Protein Production | 15 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BLGY5188M | Population Dynamics | 15 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BLGY5230M | Conservation Decision Science | 15 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BLGY5236M | Agri-Environmental Monitoring, Economics and Policy | 15 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BLGY5238M | Circular Approaches to Sustainable Agri-food Systems | 15 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Last updated: 20/06/2024 09:23:02
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