Programme overview
This is our most popular and flexible degree programme, giving you the option to design either a broad-based biology degree or a more focused degree specialising in areas of biology that interest you. You will have the opportunity to follow one of three specialisms – animal biology, microbiology and infectious disease or molecular and cellular biology – and graduate with your chosen specialism named as part of your degree title, eg, BSc Biological Sciences (Animal Biology).
After a foundation first year, which covers the range of biology from molecules to ecosystems, you have complete freedom of module choice in your second and final years. Options range from forensic science to the ecology of environmental change; from mammalian biology to medical biotechnology; from human molecular biology to a coral reef field course. You can shape your degree as you wish – following one of the named specialisms outlined above, or in other areas, whilst keeping your biological choices broad.
The programme is also available as a four-year degree with the third year spent studying at a partner university abroad.
Our Biological Sciences degree leads to a variety of employment and further study opportunities in a wide spectrum of bioscience-related areas and can also act as an excellent foundation for non science-related career paths.
Why study Biological Sciences at Exeter?
- study a broad-based biology curriculum with the scope to specialise as you progress, including the option to follow one of three named specialisms that can be reflected in the degree title with which you graduate
- experience teaching graded nationally as 'Excellent' with staff who are research leaders
- work in state-of-the-art learning facilities
- enjoy excellent sport facilities and live in a friendly student town (see student life for more info)
- undertake field courses overseas or in the UK
- take the opportunity to study abroad
- acquire key transferable skills and knowledge
- carry out challenging independent research
- graduate with outstanding employment prospects
Exeter receives my fullest praise... These [programmes] set degrees in Biological Sciences at Exeter as some of the most attractive in Britain.
Professor Jeffrey G Duckett, Emeritus Professor of Botany, Department of Botany, Natural History Museum
External Assessor for the BSc Biological Sciences programmes
My final year project on oil contamination was probably the high point of my degree. I discovered some naturally occurring microbes that can make oil spill residues less toxic to the environment. The project involved using and optimising sophisticated microbiological techniques, such as culture methods of bacteria. Some of this optimisation had never been done before. I was fortunate enough to be able to present my work at the Society of General Microbiology’s annual conference and later at the Society of General Microbiology’s young microbiologist of the year competition. This was a great experience as I was able to meet and discuss my work with internationally renowned scientists. I feel that my time at Exeter was incredibly beneficial in both an academic sense and for general life experience, and I would recommend this course to anyone who has a general interest in biology or just wants a respected degree to further their careers.
Phillip James, BSc Biological Sciences graduate. Currently studying a PhD in Microbiology at the Centre of Ecology and Hydrology in Oxford
