2024/25 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue

MBiol, BSc Biology (Integrated Masters) (For students entering from September 2024 onwards)

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:

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: MBiol, BSc Biology (Integrated Masters)


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 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 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

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 30 credits from the following optional modules:

Candidates may study 10 credits from the following optional modules:

Alternatively, candidates may choose to study 10 credits of discovery modules

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, 3 and 4 are not yet available. Before you enter years 2, 3 and 4 details of modules for those years will be provided.

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 20- 60 credits from the following optional 20 credit modules:

Medical Microbiology - 20 Credits

Candidates can choose to study up to 40 credits from the following optional 10 credit modules:

TBD (Replacement for ‘Human Diseases) - 10 Credits

Discovery modules:

Candidates may choose to study up to 20 credits of 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 years 3 and 4 are not yet available. Before you enter years 3 and 4 details of modules for those years will be provided.

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 optional modules in ecology, evolution and behaviour:

Candidates will be required to study 20-40 credits from the following optional modules in genetics and physiology:

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

Alternatively, candidates may choose to study up to 20 credits of discovery modules

Please note that 120 credits should be spread evenly across semester 1 and semester 2 with no more than 70 credits in one semester.

Discovery modules:

Year4 - 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 4 are not yet available. Before you enter year 4 full details of modules for that year will be provided.

Compulsory modules:

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 30 credits from the following optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 30 credits from the following optional modules:

* Equitable Sustainability - 15 Credits
* Crop Science & Sustainable Agriculture - 15 Credits

Last updated: 29/04/2024 16:03:44

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