Biological sciences is an interdisciplinary program that provides you the opportunity to study the molecular and cellular aspects of life that underpin how cells respond to and influence their environment. Your course will focus on areas of biological sciences that underpin our understanding of life on earth and are fundamental to tackling global challenges such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, ageing, antibiotic resistance and emerging viruses. Biological Sciences is our most flexible and interdisciplinary degree, enabling you to build a broad knowledge base in your first year, with opportunities to tailor your studies and specialise in themes such as Molecular Medicine; Infection and Disease; or Genome Biology and Disease in subsequent years of the course.
In your first year you will learn about the fundamental processes and molecular basis of life, that underpin biological processes in all living organisms. Through further compulsory modules you will gain essential foundational knowledge in modern microbiology, genetics and immunology. The skills modules will build your practical, numeracy and problem-solving skills, and develop your understanding of the lecture material. By choosing from a range of optional modules will have the opportunity to add flexibility to these foundational areas of biological sciences.
In your second year you will build upon your year one core modules, but with a focus on advanced topics such as omics and big data biology and how diseases disrupt cellular structure and function. You will have the opportunity to focus your studies in one of three themes over the remaining years of the course:
Molecular medicine – focuses on the molecular and cellular basis of human diseases, such as cancer.
Infection and disease – focus on virology and bacteriology to understand current and emerging infections.
Genome biology and disease – includes bioinformatics and human genetics and aims to understand the role played by genes in human health.
Through more extended projects, the second-year skills modules provide the opportunity to utilise multiple experimental approaches and take greater responsibility for your work.
In year 3 you will conduct an independent research project under the supervision of one of our world-leading scientists, applying all the skills you have developed during your degree. This can be laboratory-based, literature-based, or computer-based. Alongside this, you will select from a range of advanced lecture modules that align with your chosen theme and develop skills in the critical review of biological sciences research and the presentation of scientific findings to scientific and non-specialist audiences.
Through the development of a range of transferable skills such as data analysis, interpretation and critical appraisal, team working and presentational skills the program provides excellent graduate employability amongst top employers, both within and beyond scientific research.
This 3-year BSc can be converted into a 4-year integrated Masters (MBiol), subject to suitable academic performance and availability. In years 3 and 4 you would receive additional specialist training, study advanced research topics and undertake your own extended research project. In addition, students have the opportunity to spend a year working in industry, or take a study year abroad. These would take place between years two and three of the degree programme.
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL1110 | Introductory Skills in the Molecular Biosciences | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | PFP |
| BLGY1237 | Introduction to Genetics | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| FOBS1135 | The Basis of Life | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MICR1210 | Introductory Skills in Microbiology | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | PFP |
| MICR1211 | Introductory Microbiology | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MICR1221 | Introduction to Immunology | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Candidates will be required to study 20 credits from the following optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLGY1124 | The Diversity of Life | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BLGY1128 | Living Planet | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BMSC1112 | Short Introduction to human body systems | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Alternatively, candidates can select BLGY1124 or BMSC1112, and enrol on a 10 credit discovery module
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL2109 | Intermediate skills in the molecular biosciences | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | PFP |
| BIOL2114 | Omics and Big Data Biology | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BIOL2220 | Intermediate skills in the Biological Sciences | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | PFP |
For their remaining credits candidates must select one of the themes listed below. Candidates must select all the modules marked as compulsory for their chosen theme, and follow instructions for selecting the correct combination of optional modules.
Theme 1: Infection and disease
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MICR2121 | Molecular Virology | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MICR2211 | Medical Microbiology | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MICR2221 | Medical Immunology | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Candidates will be required to select 10 credits of the following optional modules in semester one
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLGY2106 | Parasitology | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BMSC2125 | Molecular Pharmacology | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Candidates will be required to select 10 credits of the following optional modules in semester two
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL2211 | Human Diseases | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BLGY2202 | Bioinformatics for Biologists | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BMSC2126 | The Imprinted Brain | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Alternatively, candidates can select a 10 credit Discovery module
Theme 2: Molecular Medicine
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL2221 | Fundamentals in Cell and Cancer Biology | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BMSC2125 | Molecular Pharmacology | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MICR2121 | Molecular Virology | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Candidates will be required to select 20 credits of the following optional modules in semester two
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL2211 | Human Diseases | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BLGY2202 | Bioinformatics for Biologists | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BLGY2266 | Human Populations and Disease | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MICR2211 | Medical Microbiology | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MICR2221 | Medical Immunology | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Alternatively, candidates can select a 10 credit Discovery module
Theme 3: Genome Biology and Disease
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory module
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLGY2266 | Human Populations and Disease | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Candidates will be required to select 20 credits of the following optional modules in semester one
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLGY2106 | Parasitology | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MICR2121 | Molecular Virology | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Alternatively, candidates can select 10 credits of options from the above and a 10 credit Discovery module
Candidates will be required to select 20 credits of the following optional modules in semester two
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL2211 | Human Diseases | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BIOL2221 | Fundamentals in Cell and Cancer Biology | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| BLGY2202 | Bioinformatics for Biologists | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MICR2211 | Medical Microbiology | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MICR2221 | Medical Immunology | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Candidates will be required to study 120 credits
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory module:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL3305 | Advanced Skills in the Biosciences | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Option A:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL3396 | Molecular & Cellular Biology Research Projects | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Option B: This subset of modules can only be offered to students who meet the selection criteria and are approved to take the module BIOL3330: Covid-19 LAMP testing placement.
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL3330 | COVID-19 LAMP Testing Placement | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| BIOL3397 | Biotechnology Research Project | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Theme 1: Infection and Disease
Candidates must select the following compulsory modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL3114 | Advanced Topics in Molecular and Cellular Biology | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MICR3201 | Advanced Topics in Microbiology 1 | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MICR3202 | Advanced Topics in Microbiology 2 | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Theme 2: Molecular Medicine
Candidates must select the following compulsory options:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL3114 | Advanced Topics in Molecular and Cellular Biology | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BIOL3215 | Cancer Biology | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MICR3202 | Advanced Topics in Microbiology 2 | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Theme 3: Genome biology and disease
Candidates must select the following compulsory modules
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLGY3153 | Advanced Topics in Human Genetics and Epigenetics | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MEDM3221 | Reproductive Medical Science | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Theme 3 candidates must also select 20 credits of the following options in semester two
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL3215 | Cancer Biology | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MICR3202 | Advanced Topics in Microbiology 2 | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Last updated: 12/06/2025 16:28:24
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