Programme structure
The Biological Sciences degree programme is modular, which gives you the flexibility to choose optional modules that suit your areas of interest, including some from outside your subject. A very diverse set of choices is on offer, from ecology fieldcourses to forensic science. After a foundation first year, the wide selection of modules allows you to design yourself either a broad-based biology degree or a more focused degree, specialising for example, in Animal Biology, Microbiology and Infectious Disease, or Molecular and Cellular Biology.
The...structure is amongst the best I have seen in a British university. Each degree programme is highly coherent, but still gives students plenty of options for change.
Professor Jeffrey G Duckett, Emeritus Professor of Botany, Department of Botany, Natural History Museum
External Assessor for the BSc Biological Sciences programmes
You will progress through your degree by studying modules and accumulating credits as you successfully complete them; you have to complete 120 credits per year in order to progress through the programme.
Please note that the optional modules offered are subject to change depending on staff availability, timetabling and student demand.
First year
You will be introduced to modern techniques associated with biology research and their application, within a range of fields from biotechnology industries to biodiversity conservation. Modules are assessed by both coursework and written examinations. First year marks do not count towards the final degree. You will receive training in key scientific skills as part of the Fundamental Skills for Biosciences module, which includes tutorials and also a team development programme.
Compulsory modules
| Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Animals | 15 |
| Biochemistry | 15 |
| Fundamental Principles for Bioscientists | 15 |
| Genetics | 15 |
| Cell and Developmental Biology | 15 |
| Ecology | 15 |
| Microbiology | 15 |
| Plants | 15 |
Second year
There is only one compulsory module, which forms a foundation for the work of the final year research project. Optional modules will help your understanding of key concepts in biological sciences and also offer you the opportunity to specialise within particular areas. If you are interested in ecology, you can attend one of our optional ecology fieldcourses in either Cornwall or the Bahamas. Each module runs for a single term and normally comprises one or two lectures per week, plus nine hours of practicals. All modules are assessed by coursework (40%) and written examination (60%). Modules taken in the first term are examined in January, and modules taken in the second term are examined in June. The overall second year mark contributes one third of the marks used for the final degree classification.
Compulsory modules
| Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Research Skills and Bioethics | 15 |
Optional modules
You must choose a number of optional modules, totalling 105 credits. At least 90 credits must be from the list below; and up to 15 credits may be approved modules from other another subject in the University (timetable permitting).
Read details of module requirements for our named specialisms.
Final year
Compulsory modules
| Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Dissertation or Independent Research Project |
45 |
Optional modules
You must choose a number of optional modules, totalling 75 credits. At least 60 credits must be from the list below; and up to 15 credits may be approved modules from other another subject in the University (timetable permitting).
Read details of module requirements for our named specialisms.
