BSc Biology

Programme overview

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements are available on the Course Search entry

Programme specification

From genes to behaviour and evolution to ecology, studying Biology at Leeds will provide you with a holistic understanding of life on Earth. Personalise your degree to match your needs as you progress; will you choose to pursue human biology, conservation, animal behaviour, genetic engineering or any one of the other study areas the University of Leeds has to offer.

Biology has vital applications in current key global challenges. An ever-growing world population and a changing climate puts immense pressures on the environment, threatens endangered species and reduces agricultural production. With your degree, you will be at the forefront of providing sustainable solutions to these issues.

Be part of the revolution in genomics, gene modification and biotechnology currently transforming the world. Equipped with the skills and knowledge of the fundamental biological processes, you will help drive forward science-based solutions to some of the world's biggest issues.

Year 1 

You will be provided with the foundation for your degree programme, incorporating core elements of genetics, organismal biology, molecular and cellular biology. In addition, skills modules will cover statistics, study skills, laboratory techniques and essential field skills. 

Modules cover globally relevant topics including sustainable agriculture, marine biology, conservation of tropical forests, genome engineering with CRISPR Cas technologies and intracellular signalling. Choose from an extensive range of optional modules including immunology, virology or even learning a new language in a discovery module. 

Practical skills include the core techniques for genetic engineering, from isolating DNA, amplification by PCR, molecular cloning and recombinant protein expression and purification, you will cover the essential techniques used routinely in research labs and industry. You'll also develop key field skills to begin your research journey in a range of habitats.

Field Courses, Faculty of Biological Sciences

At the end of year 1, our flexible degree structure offers you the opportunity to transfer onto other suitable degree courses within the school of biology.

Year 2  

Year 2 of the course is flexible, with core modules covering a broad range of biological concepts, leaving you to choose modules related to your interests and aspirations. You'll advance your understanding, analytical expertise and study skills with core modules covering human, animal and plant biology.

In the core skills module, you will gain transferrable skills including problem-solving, data analysis, teamwork and communication skills. Small group tutorials will support the rest of your studies through developing presentation skills, producing high-quality written work and learning to effectively use scientific literature. Your skills module will also provide training in statistics and experimental design, preparing you for projects later in the course.

Tailor your degree with a range of optional modules that include topics in ecology, human genetics, genomics, microbiology and field courses. You will choose at least 40 credits of Biology options and up to 20 credits of other modules of your choice, including discovery modules. For example, the Omics and Big Data Biology module covers state-of-the-art skills in analysing the outputs from high throughput research technologies in biology, including sequencing and proteomics approaches that are revolutionising research and medicine.

Another option is population, community and conservation ecology. This module studies the dynamics of biological populations including interactions between species and the environment, investigating the properties of ecological communities. Importantly, the course also covers the application of these principles to population management and conversation, with practical examples. You can even visi t the University Farm, home to the new £11 million National Pig Centre as part of an option module where you'll learn about animal nutrition and behaviour. Field Courses, Faculty of Biological Sciences. You'll also have the opportunity to choose field course modules in Mediterranean ecology in Spain and urban ecology in the heart of Leeds.

At the end of year 2, you will have the opportunity to complete an industrial work placement, study abroad or combined study and work abroad . This adds an additional year of study to your degree.

Year 3 

In year 3 core modules include the final year project, which lets you choose a topic closely aligned to your interests, and a module that investigates food security and the roles that plant science can play in developing sustainable solutions. In addition, you can select modules to suit your career ambitions and interests from module groupings which cover:  

- Ecology and conservation, which includes a series of research-led modules in addition to opportunities for field study

- Zoology, which allows you to investigate animal behaviour and nutrition, with additional opportunities to study evolution or field work

- Genetics, which includes the latest research in human genetics and the applications of genetics to biotechnology and medicine. Teaching from clinical geneticists at St James hospital provides in depth knowledge of chromosomal abnormalities and their diagnosis or select a module in evolution to discover current models for how species adapt and change.

Our advanced topics modules cover animal behaviour, conservation science, ecology, evolution and human genetics, and allow you to develop real depth of knowledge in your favourite areas of biology.

Year 3 BSc project  

You will conduct a research project that you choose from a wide range of topics, reflecting the breadth of research undertaken and the expertise of the lecturers on your course. Projects can be laboratory-based, field research, data analysis or literature-based investigations. The choice of projects reflects the diversity of biology, including molecular genetic studies, physiology, behaviour, marine biology and ecology and you'll receive dedicated supervision from a leading expert in the area.

This 3-year BSc can also 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.

Year 1

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Compulsory Modules

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
BLGY1128	Living Planet	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BLGY1212	Using Biology to Feed the World	10	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY1237	Introduction to Genetics	10	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY1308	Unlocking Scientific Success	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)	PFP
BLGY1330	Laboratory and Experimental Skills	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
FOBS1135	The Basis of Life	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Optional Modules

Candidates are required to study 10 credits from the following optional modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
BLGY1203	Field Course: investigating UK habitats	10	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY1239	Exploring Whole Organism Biology	10	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Candidates may study 10 credits from the following optional modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
BMSC1200	Biology of the Mind	10	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MICR1202	The Microbial World	10	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MICR1221	Introduction to Immunology	10	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Discovery Modules

Alternatively, candidates may choose to study 10 credits of discovery modules

Year 2

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Compulsory Modules

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
BLGY2164	How Plants Live	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BLGY2220	Evolution, Adaptation and Behaviour	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY2305	Developing Scientific Excellence	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)	PFP

Optional Modules

Candidates will be required to study 20-40 credits from the following optional 20 credit modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
BIOL2114	Omics and Big Data Biology	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BLGY2146	Animal Physiology	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BLGY2265	Urban Ecology and Conservation Field Course	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY2297	Mediterranean Ecology Field Course	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates may only take one field course option. It is not possible to take both BLGY2297 and BLGY2265.

Candidates will be required to study 20-40 credits from the following optional 20 credit modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
BLGY2155	Population, Community and Conservation Ecology	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BLGY2266	Human Populations and Disease	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MICR2211	Medical Microbiology	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Candidates may study up to 20 credits from the following optional 10 credit modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
BLGY2106	Parasitology	10	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BLGY2202	Bioinformatics for Biologists	10	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY2224	Food Security and Sustainability	10	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Discovery Modules

Year 3

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Candidates will be required to study 120 credits

Compulsory Modules

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules.

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
BLGY3334	Advanced Topics in Plant Science and Food Security	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
BLGY3346	Biology Research Projects	40	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)	PFP

Optional Modules

Candidates will be required to choose one of the following pathways: Genetics, Zoology or Ecology.

Genetics: Candidates will be required to study 40-60 credits of the following optional modules

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
BLGY3111	Advanced Genetic Techniques and Applications	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BLGY3153	Advanced Topics in Human Genetics and Epigenetics	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BLGY3245	Advanced Topics in Evolution	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Zoology: Candidates will be required to study 40-60 credits of the following optional modules

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
BLGY3135	Advanced Topics in Behaviour: from sex to death	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BLGY3225	Sustainable Innovations in Animal Science	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY3245	Advanced Topics in Evolution	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY3300	Level 3 Field Course (South Africa)	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Ecology: Candidates will be required to study 40-60 credits of the following optional modules

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
BLGY3133	Advanced Topics in Ecology	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BLGY3247	Advanced Topics in Conservation Science	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY3300	Level 3 Field Course (South Africa)	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Candidates on all pathways may choose up to 20 credits from the following optional modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
BLGY3222	Social Biology	10	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY3223	Animal Developmental Biology	10	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY3246	Evolution and Population Genetics	10	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Discovery Modules

Candidates may choose up to 20 credits of discovery modules.

Last updated: 23/07/2025 13:30:15

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team