Biological Science BSc (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  A wide and diverse range biological aspects of science are explored throughout this degree programme. This interdisciplinary degree provides you with the opportunity to develop a broad knowledge base in the first year of study before specialising in topics and disciplines in the second and third year.

  You will have the opportunity to choose modules that most interest you or ones that specifically meet your future career aspirations.  You can choose from varied aspects of biological science including plant and animal biology, genetics, environmental science, microbiology, human biology, ecosystems, pharmacology, ecology, adaptations to life, neuroscience and biochemistry.

  You will apply your knowledge throughout your degree and recognise its relevance to society at national and global levels. You also have the opportunity to learn a wide range of laboratory and field skills as well as learning about current issues and research areas.

  You may also elect to take the Life Science Placement Year module after your second year before returning to complete your degree.  We will help you find this paid placement and support you during this year.

  Our modules are informed by staff who are active researchers in their specialist areas, introducing you to scientific principles to help you develop analytical skills and encourage you to evaluate and recommend solutions to real-world biological problems.

  You will be supported during your final year research project by a supervisor with relevant research expertise and by studying the second year research methods and specialised laboratory and/or fieldwork modules with essential training in the latest techniques. You even have the opportunity to present your own final year research dissertation at our annual research conference.

  We will support you to achieve your career and study ambitions, which is why if you complete our Employability Plus Gold programme or Changemaker Gold certificate alongside your studies and if you haven’t secured full-time employment 12 months after graduating** we will secure a three – six month paid internship for you, or support you into postgraduate study.

  **with a 2:2 degree classification or higher

  Modules

  View proposed modules below (module titles and specification subject to validation):

  Year 1 

  Biochemistry and Cell Biology
  Introduction to Ecology
  Life of Earth
  Genetics and Molecular Biology
  Introduction to Microbiology
  Anatomy and Physiology

  Year 2 

  (Various modules listed below will be designated)

  Bioscience Research Methods
  Biogeography
  Fieldwork Module
  Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology
  Plants and the Environment
  Adaptations to Life on Land, in Water and Air
  Genes and Genomics
  Health and Disease
  Techniques in Molecular Biology
  Pharmacology
  Processes of Life: Biochemistry

  Optional Placement Year

  Life Sciences at Work

  Year 3

  (Various modules listed below will be designated)

  Human Bioscience Dissertation
  Contemporary Issues in Biology
  Biodiversity and Conversation
  Sustainable Development: Land Use and Planning
  Health, Risk and Environment
  Integrated Medical Genetics
  Immunology and Health
  Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience
  Pathogen Biology
  Applied and Environmental Microbiology
  Gene Regulation

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• Accreditation

  Accreditation of this programme is pending from the Royal Society of Biology – the leading professional body for the biological sciences in the United Kingdom.

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• Placements

  You may also elect to take the Life Science Placement Year module after your second year before returning to complete your degree.  This is an optional and paid placement year, working within industry.  Students who complete this typically achieve higher degree outcomes and have improved employability.  The University has a whole team of people to help you find a paid placement and will support you during this year.

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• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  How will I be taught?

  We aim to make learning an engaging and enjoyable experience from our extensive online resources and face to face teaching. We will introduce you to science principles, help you to develop analytical skills and encourage you to evaluate and recommend solutions to real-life, local to global, biological problems.

  Teaching and learning occurs through a variety of methods, with laboratory practicals, workshops, learning how to use new software, fieldwork, seminars and lectures.

  Modules are typically semesterised, which means that modules are delivered in either the Autumn Term or the Spring term. You will have four hours of contact time per week to enable you to get the most out of practical sessions, workshops and field visits.

  All the module tutors use our virtual learning environment (NILE) to provide additional resources to facilitate your independent learning.

  How many hours per week of teaching/ personal tutoring?

  Each module typically has four hours per week contact time and students typically study three modules per week. In addition, all students are allocated a personal tutor before they start their degree.  They will meet with their personal tutor on a regular basis and are able to book office hours with them for both academic and pastoral support.

  How will I be assessed?

  Assessment methods include writing scientific reports, blogs, articles, giving presentations, and taking time constrained assessment and exams. Many modules are assessed through 100% coursework but some modules have exams that could be worth up to 60% of the final module grade.

  Any specialist facilities/ features?

  Our well-equipped Bioscience laboratories are modern research facilities enabling you to learn and develop your skills in an innovative and supportive environment. In addition, for students interested in more environmental biology the campus is adjacent to the River Nene and has its own nature reserve Current specialist lab facilities include:

  • cell culture facilities (for working with human cell lines – i.e. cancer cells)
  • genetics/genomics facilities for the analysis of DNA and RNA (including PCR and next-generation sequencing technology)
  • specialist Microbiology laboratories
  • fluorescence, bright-field and electron microscopy
  • environmental science research lab

  Special course features include:

  • on-site specialist laboratories for teaching and research.
  • Accreditation of this programme has been submitted to the Royal Society of Biology.
  • opportunities to engage in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) outreach activities.
  • continual networking with potential employers within the Bioscience industries.

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• Integrated Foundation Year (IFY)

  The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.

  If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year programme which includes an Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.

  Featuring a reduced tuition fee in the first year, our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.

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• Entry Requirements

  Standard entry requirements apply. A typical offer would be BCC at A Level or DMM at BTEC. In addition, you are expected to have studied a natural science subject (preferably Biology or Human Biology but Chemistry and Physics  are also accepted) in an A Level at grade C, or equivalent qualification such as International Baccalaureate.

  We welcome international applicants and applications from students with a range of non-traditional educational or professional qualifications

  For more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.

  If you are an International student and would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page.

  Integrated Foundation Year (IFY)Entry Requirements

  Admission to the BSc Honours Human Bioscience 4 year Programme with Foundation Study is normally DEE at A Level or MPP at BTEC with a D in a Natural Science. However, we would also like to hear from you if you have professional or industry experience instead, a range of other qualifications or self-developed subject knowledge that relates to the course you wish to study.

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• Fees and Funding

  21/22 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 21/22 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK – Full Time: £9,250
  • UK – Part Time: £1,465 per 20 credit module
  • UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £6,780 as part of a four year programme (subsequent years will be charged at standard BSc rate)
  • International – Full Time: £13,000
  • International – Integrated Foundation Year: £13,000 as part of a four year programme (subsequent years will be charged at standard BSc rate)

  Additional costs

  There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2021. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

  2020/21 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 20/21 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK and EU – Full Time: £9,250
  • UK and EU – Part Time: £1,450 per 20 credit module
  • UK and EU – Integrated Foundation Year: £6,750 as part of a four year programme (subsequent years will be charged at standard BSc rate)
  • International – Full Time: £12,900
  • International – Integrated Foundation Year: £12,900 as part of a four year programme (subsequent years will be charged at standard BSc rate)

   

  Additional costs

  There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2020. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

  For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

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Careers and Employability

This course will open up a range of career opportunities, including:

• Medicine
• Dentistry
• Paramedic Science
• Biomedical science
• Teaching
• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Food industry
• Environment / Conservation​
• Information Technology​
• Sales
• Public Health​
• Health Service Admin​
• Publishing and Media​
• Think Tank/Policy Advising​
• Research
• Further study eg MSc/MPhil/PhD