Biological Sciences (Hons)

Studying our Biological Science BSc (Hons) course will equip you with in-depth knowledge and skills in biology, biochemistry and living organisms. In areas of theory, you will be given a broad understanding of Human Anatomy and Physiology to analyse the relationship between body parts and their functions. On a deeper level, you will be introduced to the study of microorganisms in our Microbiology and Biochemistry unit that familiarise you with biochemical principles using practical techniques such as light microscopes while establishing good laboratory practice. This closely links to our Cell Biology unit where you will discover various cell structures and types and relate this to how it is fundamental to human life. You will also develop your knowledge of basic concepts in Chemistry and explore the basics of Molecular Genetics unit with topics including chromosome function, genetic inheritance and cell division. To equip you with the research and practical skills for this course, our Skills in Biological Science unit will teach you to record, analyse and report data from experiments.  

At the same time, you will gain an understanding of the biochemical and cellular basis of metabolic Biochemistry to understand metabolic processes in an organism. This ties in closely with our Biotechnology unit where you will discover genetic processes such as the genetic manipulation of cells and tissues for research purposes. In the area of medicine, you will develop your understanding of how the human body functions in our Medical Physiology unit that will provide you with in-depth knowledge of human physiology and how it is affected by disease. Biological science impacts various areas of our lives, one of them being food. This is where our Food Microbiology unit will introduce you to the importance of microbiology in the food and nutrition industry as well as the techniques used in the industry such as the role of microbes, its benefits in food production but also its hazards through spoilage or expiry. You will also take a closer look at living organisms in our Ecology and Evolution unit to identify how they interact, influence and adapt to the environment while engaging with ecological research.  

In relation to the forensic sciences, our Animals and Plants in Crime unit will teach you to examine and analyse a range of biological evidence using animals and plants to aid forensic investigations. Furthermore, our Environmental Change unit where you will develop your knowledge of the Earth’s ecosystems, topics on climate change, pollution and deforestation, and the impact of this on people. In your final year, you will discover key innovations that have influenced the production of biological data and how this can be used in the clinical treatment of human diseases and biotechnology in our Innovations in Biotechnology unit. Furthermore, you will learn about the applications of Molecular Biology techniques used to analyse DNA, RNA and protein. Similarly, you will examine the diversity and significance of microbes in global ecosystems in our Environmental Microbiology unit to understand the industrial applications and societal benefits of microbes. With plants in particular, you will gain an understanding of the importance of Applied Plant Science and the interaction between plants and people in the forms of medicine, food and even structural materials.  

You will also take an in-depth approach to pathology in our Biology of Disease unit where you will learn the principles of investigating patient samples such as blood or urine to help identify, diagnose and treat diseases. This links to our Cellular Biology unit, that will allow you to examine cellular processes and use molecular biology to diagnose and treat human genetic disorders. Finally, you will undertake a Biological Science Research Project in your final year that will give you the opportunity to plan, design and execute a piece of research into a topic of your interest that is relevant to your field of study. You will work to answer a research question based on research and laboratory work using the skills you gained throughout the course. To prepare you for your career, you will also have the opportunity to undertake a Professional Practice Year (Life Sciences) where you can gain career-related experience while building on your professional skills.