Biology BSc Honours

Course overview

With a host of interesting environments on your doorstep, and access to world-leading research, this Biology degree will equip you with a wide-ranging knowledge of the subject.

You'll develop a comprehensive understanding of all forms of life, from cells and molecules to organisms and ecosystems.

You'll have the opportunity to put your skills into action through:

• lab-based classes
• day excursions
• residential field courses

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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2022-23.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

The first year of this degree is shared with other Biology-related degrees in the School. You can transfer to one of our other Biology and Zoology degrees before the second year should your interests change (subject to achieving the appropriate grades).

You'll develop a strong foundation in the subject and get stuck into practical work straight away. Modules include: Diversity of Life, Genetics and Evolution, Cells and Biomolecules, Ecology and Conservation and Study Skills.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Genetics and Evolution	20
Diversity of Life: Form and Function	20
Ecology and Conservation	20
Cells and Biomolecules	20
Academic and Professional Skills for the Biosciences	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Crop Pests	10
Animal Health	10
Introduction to Animal Physiology	10
Natural Science Research Impact	10
UK Wildlife	10
Introduction to Scientific Computing for Chemists	10
The Marine Environment	20
Marine Microbiology and Primary Producers	20

In Stage 2, you'll continue to build upon your skills, delving deeper into the field. Modules include Field Identification Skills, Animal Function, Plant Biology, Microbiology, Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation and Biotechnology. You'll also have the option to embark on a residential field course or an intensive practical lab course. 

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Experimental Design and Statistics	10

Optional Modules	Credits
Career Development for second year students	20
Animal Parasitology	10
Site Management and Communication Skills	20
Qualitative Research Methods	10
Sustainable Solutions	10
Geomicrobiology	10
Field Identification Skills	10
Animal Behaviour	10
Pollution of Air, Water & Soil	10
Microbial Biochemistry	20
Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation	20
Biotechnology: Principles and Practice	20
Animal Function (Physiology and Development)	20
Plant Biology	20
Evolutionary Biology	20
Insect Biology and Origins	20
Field-based Ecology: designing experiments, and residential field course	20
Vertebrate Biology	20
Tropical Marine Ecology	20
Applied Marine Biology	20
Biological Psychology: Sex, Drugs, Rhythms and Blues	10

You'll work independently on an extensive project with a choice between a Biological Literature Review, a Biological Research Project and a Biological Information Project.

You will have a choice of specialist topics such as: molecular biology, genomics and biotechnology; biological computer modelling; biodiversity and conservation.

Many of these are linked to our research expertise.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Research Project	40

Optional Modules	Credits
Advanced Career Development module	20
Biodiversity Science and Management	20
Current Research in Ecology	20
Biotechnology: Applications	20
Biological Modelling	20
Physiological Zoology	20
Microbial Genomics	20
Advances in Plant Science Research	20
Current Research in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology	20
Africa Field Course: Conservation and Ecology	20
Current Zoology	20
Advanced Marine Research Topics I	20

Module Overview - BIO3039: Biodiversity Science and Management

During Stage 3, you can study this optional module in biodiversity and biodiversity management. You'll investigate aspects that are impacting the Earth; including climate change, tropical deforestation and invasive species. You'll be equipped with the skills to understand conservation management.

Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They are based on the modules chosen by our students in 2020-21.

Teaching time is made up of:

• scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present
• structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

You'll be taught via a combination of methods, including lectures and interactive online classes.

Our field and lab-based modules provide you with an exceptional basis to build practical experiences. These enhance the scientific skills expected of a biology graduate.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Assessments

• 

  Assignments – written or fieldwork

• 

  Coursework

• 

  Dissertation or research project

• 

  Essays

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Group work

• 

  Practical sessions

• 

  Presentations

• 

  Projects

• 

  Reports

• 

  Seminar tasks/exercises

Skills and experience

Research skills

Your learning will be strongly informed by the School's research. You'll be taught by experts at the forefront of their respective fields in:

• microbial biotechnology
• plant biology
• animal physiology and behaviour
• biodiversity and conservation
• biological computer modelling

Hands-on experience

This is a highly practical course. You'll spend time in the lab or off campus on field trips.

Field trip destinations include:

• the Northumbrian countryside
• our marine field station
• our University farm

Lab-based modules introduce you to key research techniques. Modules include:

• bioprospecting
• cellular biochemistry
• molecular evolution and systematics

Several modules are focused on fieldwork, such as Field Identification Skills and Mammal Surveying Skills.

Business skills

You'll have the opportunity to complete a work placement between stages 2 and 3, as well as taking part in University-wide expeditions on an extra-curricular basis. 

You will also have the chance to take part in the International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition, or iGEM for short. iGEM is a multidisciplinary, student-led research competition that aims to use Synthetic Biology to help solve global issues. iGEM teams work inside and outside the lab. They create sophisticated projects that strive to solve real-world problems with a global impact.

iGEM is a challenging experience. It provides a unique hands-on experience of the synthetic biology process. We have had many successful years with our students attending this worldwide jamobree.

Opportunities

Study abroad

Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.

You can choose to spend up to a year studying at a partner institution overseas.

If you choose to study abroad, it will extend your degree by a year. 

Find out more about study abroad

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year.  Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements.

Facilities and environment

Facilities

As a Biology and Zoology student, you'll be based in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at our city-centre campus.

During your studies, you'll have access to two commercial farms near Newcastle. These are used as demonstration facilities as well as a field station with glasshouse and dedicated teaching facilities.

You'll have the opportunity to access purpose-built laboratories. You can also visit the Great North Museum, where there's a range of important biological collections. We also have our controlled-environment aquaria situated in the Ridley 2 Building.

Support

To support you in your studies, all new students entering year 1 or year 2 will receive a tablet. You can download the online learning resources you'll need for your course (helping us to make our campus more sustainable).

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.

Your future

Recent graduates have taken roles such as:

• researcher
• environmental monitoring officer
• science explainer at Newcastle's Centre for Life
• science writer, within organisations such as RSPB, WWT, and Natural England

Many students also go on to further education, pursuing master's degrees, PHDs, postgraduate teaching qualifications, and medicine and law courses. 

Having developed a broad range of transferable skills, you'll also have career prospects in industries as diverse as banking and retail management, media production, and adventure tourism. 

Industry links

The faculty has built strong links with leading organisations, including:

• National Trust
• Natural History Society of Northumbria
• WWT
• National Parks Authority
• GENEIUS

These links will provide opportunities to secure work placements, internships, and volunteer roles, as well as building up an invaluable network of contacts in the sector. 

Enterprising students

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Careers support

Our Enterprise Challenge gives students the opportunity to work with industry on a project that tackles real-world issues. Watch the above video to find out more.

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2023 entry (per year)

Qualification: BSc Honours
Home students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (per year) 9250
International students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (per year) 26400

Home Fee Students

The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying students is set by the UK government.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

International Fee Students

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Read more about fees and funding

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our undergraduate scholarship page for more information.

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

• different tuition fees
• additional costs

Scholarships

Find out more about:

• scholarships for UK, EU and international students
• Student Loans and Government financial support for UK and EU students

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

• the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
• the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
• the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages