Details
Our modular degree offers a solid knowledge base in the biological sciences and the opportunity to follow your interests and curiosity as the course unfolds. You can choose to maintain a broad view on biology by enrolling in the main Biological Sciences BSc degree course or to specialise in Genetics, Zoology (Animal Biology), Biotechnology, Environmental Biology, Microbiology or Plant Biology. The decision on specialisation can be made as late as in the second year.
Course structure
First year
In the first year, you will take modules reflecting the full range of biology - from molecules to cells to organisms and to the environment. Up to a third of the timetabled sessions will be devoted to practical work, as the hands-on experience of working with living organisms supports and enhances a solid understanding of biological concepts. In the first year you will undertake specialist language training in dedicated laboratories, focusing on the spoken word.
Second year
In addition to core courses in molecular biology and a Science Communication skills module evolution, you will spend two-thirds of your time studying elective modules. We offer a range of topics, including animal biology, microbiology, genetics and ecology. If you are interested in organisms and how they interact with their environment you will have the opportunity to participate in field work. Year in Europe students continue with language tuition.
Third year (year abroad)
You will join a University in France, Spain or Germany according to your language qualification. Assessments at the host university are required on a pass/fail basis but do not count towards the overall degree mark. The stay abroad encompasses normally 10 months.
Final year
The modules we offer to final year students are strongly influenced by current research in the School of Biosciences. They reflect exciting developments across the biological sciences.
Central to the final year is the research project, which makes up one-sixth of the credits earned in the final year. All students are offered the opportunity to join one of our many research groups for one semester, providing the fascinating opportunity to experience research first hand and to contribute to current research projects. Project work does not necessarily mean that students are in the laboratory. Some students will do computer-based projects and some ecology-oriented fieldwork projects. Current field courses in the final year lead you to a research site in Florida, or, in alternate years, to Trentham Estate where you will study behavioural ecology and sociobiology of free roaming Barbary macaques.
Which courses should I apply for?
The specialist degree titles are not available for students on this programme option. However, all modules relevant for the specialist degrees are available to these students, allowing them to acquire equivalent competence that is demonstrable to potential employers in academic transcripts.
Why study this course
We have a large and internationally recognised School of Biosciences offering expertise that is the foundation of our research-led teaching.
You will encounter a broad range of topics on our courses, ranging from studies on the three-dimensional structure of individual molecules through to the study of whole ecosystems. We pride ourselves in our ‘enquiry-based learning’ strategy that will equip you with the skills to achieve full potential in your future career.
We increasingly incorporate new areas of science relating to biology, such as bioinformatics, and the School has major high-technology facilities for research in genomics, structural biology and optical imaging.
Specialist field courses for those involved in the study of animals, plants and ecological aspects are also available.
2012 National Student Survey "93% of students said that overall they were satisfied with the quality of our Biology courses."
Your year studying at a university abroad will give your degree added value. It will also enable you to widen and deepen your subject knowledge and to maintain and develop language skills while living in a different culture. The year abroad programme equips students with an unrivalled range of skills, in addition to their understanding of the biological world, which is much valued by employers.
Modules
Our flexible degree course will provide you with a core of modern biology and incorporate considerable flexibility, permitting either a broad-based degree or progressive specialisation.
During years one and two, you will study the same modules as the other students, but you will replace one Biosciences module in each year with the language module. While students come to us with different levels of ability in the foreign language, we fnd that the two years of language classes are adequate to prepare for the third year spent abroad. And naturally your ability to speak the language and to understand native speakers will improve while you are there.
First year
For more detailed descriptions of modules download Biological Sciences Module Descriptions (PDF 459KB).
The following list represents the current set of first year modules attended by all Biological Sciences students:
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Skills for Biosciences
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Plant Sciences & Environmental Biology
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Introduction to Evolution and Animal Biology
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Biochemistry
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Cell Biology & Physiology
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Microbiology and Infectious Disease
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Genetics I
You will also do a Modern Language module in either French, Spanish or German.
Second year
Year in Europe students continue with the language tuition. Elective modules offered include the following, of which students in the second year normally choose five:
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Ecology
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Genetics II
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Plant Sciences: from cells to the environment
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Biodiversity assessment techniques (field course)
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Cell and developmental Biology
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Animal sensory systems: neurobiology and behaviour
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Microbes and man
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Alpine and glacial ecology in Norway (field course)
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Field Ecology in Birmingham
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Human evolution: adaptation & behaviour
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Adaptations to aquatic environments (Field course)
You will also do a Modern Language module in either French, Spanish or German.
Third year (year abroad)
You will join a University in France, Spain or Germany according to your language qualification. Assessments at the host university are required on a pass/fail basis but do not count towards the overall degree mark. The stay abroad encompasses normally 10 months.
Dr Klaus Fütterer, Programme leader for study abroad programmes "As leader of the Year Abroad programme, I’m keen to encourage every applicant with an interest in foreign languages to seriously consider this unique opportunity that our School can offer."
Final year
Current final year elective modules include the following:
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Applied and Environmental Microbiology
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Molecular Basis of Bacterial Infection
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Structures of Destruction
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Prokaryotic Gene Regulation
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Conservation Biology
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Cellular Neurobiology
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Human Evolution
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Cancer Biology
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Molecular and Cellular Immunology
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Adaptation to Changing Environments
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Advanced topics in animal behaviour
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Integrated Whole-Organism Biology
Central to the final year is the research project, which makes up one-sixth of the credits earned in the final year. All students are offered the opportunity to join one of our many research groups for one semester, providing the fascinating opportunity to experience research first hand and to contribute to current research projects. Project work does not necessarily mean that students are in the laboratory. Some students will do computer-based projects and some ecology-oriented fieldwork projects. We offer field projects alternating between Trentham Estate (studying primates) and Florida (studying bird behaviour) in alternate years.
Fees and funding
Entry requirements
Number of A levels required: 3
Typical offer: AAB-ABB
Required subjects and grades: Biology/Human Biology A level and one other from Biology/Human Biology, Computer Science, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geology, ICT, Maths, Physics, Psychology or Sports Studies/PE.
General Studies: We do not accept General Studies, Critical Thinking, Citizenship Studies, Applied Science, Communication and Culture, Critical Studies, Global Perspectives, Science in Society and World Development.
Additional information:
GCSE requirements: Five GCSEs at grade C (minimum) in Double Award/Integrated Science, English and Mathematics, and grade B in a language (French, German or Spanish).
Please note that this course is not suitable for native or bilingual speakers, as improved language skills is one of the main learning outcomes for the year in Europe. Overseas students who would like to spend part of their education in their native country could consider the course Biological Sciences with Professional Placement BSc as an alternative, which would allow them to apply for placements outside the UK.
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (Applied Science) is accepted only in combination with a science subject at GCE A2 level at grade B or better. Other qualifications are considered – learn more about entry requirements.
International students:
International Baccalaureate Diploma: 34-35 points excluding bonus points from TOK and Extended Essay. 6, 5, 5 at HL to include Biology and one other science at HL. 5 points in each of SL English and Maths if not offered at GCSE or equivalent.
Standard English language requirements apply
Learn more about international entry requirements
Depending on your chosen course of study, you may also be interested in the Birmingham Foundation Academy, a specially structured programme for international students whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities. Further details can be found on the foundation academy web pages.
How to apply
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