How will I learn during this BSc Biology degree?
You’ll learn through a mix of approaches including lectures, tutorials, seminars and practical sessions. A strong emphasis is placed on applied and problem-based learning which is embedded into each year of study and particularly within the final year research project.
You’ll begin the course with an introduction to a broad range of fundamental subject areas and skills which will be enhanced as you progress and further develop your subject knowledge, laboratory skills, experimental design, data-handling and communication skills. You’ll also be involved in increasingly complex assignments and practical and field work exercises, with a greater emphasis on group and independent learning.
During your final year you’ll carry out an individual research project in an area of interest. At this stage, you’ll be expected to exercise independent thought and critically evaluate and synthesize complex subject matter in the fields studied.
Your progression will be supported by guidance to help you achieve good grades and we’ll actively encourage you to develop your creativity and entrepreneurship through really innovative assessment tasks, tailored to each module and level of study.
You’ll be offered a great range of work-related learning opportunities throughout the course, including the option for a sandwich year in industry or to study abroad, between years 2 and 3.
Pathway options
After studying a core first year you can choose to continue on the Biology pathway or go on to specialise in Biotechnology or Neurobiology, to suit your personal interests and aspirations.
In the biology pathway, you will learn more about various aspects and research areas of environmental biology. The alternative specialism pathways include modules that focus on outcomes of recent research and their applications in biotechnological discipline and in the field of neuroscience, respectively.
During your first year of study you’ll find out more about the modules associated with each pathway, and be invited to choose your preferred option.