In the first stage of your degree, you'll develop a strong foundation in biology and get stuck into practical work from the start.
You'll study four compulsory modules (80 credits) and choose 40 credits of optional modules.
After your first stage, you can transfer to our Zoology BSc degree. This must happen before stage 2 starts.
Modules
You will take the following compulsory modules:
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Genetics and Evolution | 20 |
| Ecology and Conservation | 20 |
| Biomolecules—the Biochemical basis of life (previously called Cells and Biomolecules) | 20 |
| Skills for the Biosciences | 20 |
You will take 40 credits of optional modules from the following list:
| Optional modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Crop Health | 10 |
| Introduction to Animal Physiology | 10 |
| Animal Health | 10 |
| Molecular Biology of the Cell | 20 |
| Animal Life | 20 |
You'll work on your own extensive research project (40 credits), with supervision from an expert in your chosen field. You can choose a topic linked to our research expertise, such as:
- molecular biology and biotechnology
- microbiology and zoology
- conservation and policy
- social sciences and policy
- terrestrial ecology
You’ll then select 80 credits from a range of optional modules.
Modules
Compulsory modules
You will take the following compulsory module:
| Compulsory module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Professional Skills for Bioscientists | 20 |
Optional modules
You will take one of the following optional modules:
| Optional modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Insect Biology and Ecology* | 20 |
| Microbial Biochemistry | 20 |
*The field course takes place prior to Stage 2
You will take one of the following optional modules:
| Optional modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation | 20 |
| Biotechnology: Principles and Practice | 20 |
You will take one of the following optional modules:
| Optional modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Animal Function (Physiology and Development) | 20 |
| The Life of Plants (previously called Plant Biology) | 20 |
You will take two of the following optional modules:
| Optional modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Evolution and Behaviour | 20 |
| Field-based Ecology: designing experiments, and residential field course* | 20 |
| Vertebrate Biology and Ecology | 20 |
| Tropical Marine Ecology | 20 |
*The field course takes place prior to Stage 2
You'll work on your own extensive project, with supervision from an expert in that field.
You can choose a topic linked to our research expertise, such as:
- molecular biology and biotechnology
- plant biology, microbiology, zoology
- conservation and policy
- social sciences and policy
- terrestrial ecology
Modules
Compulsory modules
You will take the following compulsory module:
| Compulsory module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Research Project | 40 |
You will also take one of the following compulsory modules:
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Current Research in Ecology | 20 |
| Current Research in Molecular Life Sciences | 20 |
| Current Zoology | 20 |
You will also take one of the following compulsory modules:
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Physiological Zoology | 20 |
| Microbial Genomics | 20 |
You will also take one of the following compulsory modules:
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Biodiversity Science and Management | 20 |
| Global Challenges & Solutions | 20 |
Optional modules
You will take one of the following optional modules:
| Optional modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Animal Welfare & Behaviour | 20 |
| Biological Modelling | 20 |
| Advances in Plant Science Research | 20 |
| Africa Field Course: Conservation and Ecology* | 20 |
*The Africa Field Course takes place prior to Stage 3.
With the approval of the Stage Co-ordinator or Degree Programme Director, you may select an alternative optional module of 20 credits to those listed above. The following module may be selected without the need for DPD approval:
| Compulsory module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Career Development for Final Year Students | 20 |