Bachelors in Biology & Science in UK

Biological Sciences at Imperial aims to understand the behaviour of living systems from the level of cells up to whole organisms and ecosystems.

The Department of Life Sciences offers a number of degrees in Biological Sciences, with some degrees enabling you to choose from a broad selection of modules, and others allowing you to specialise in a particular area.

This course offers you the opportunity to complete an integrated, 12-month placement in industry or a research organisation between the second and third years of your degree.

Biomedical science focuses on how cells, organs and systems function in the human body; an exciting and dynamic area that is highly relevant to the understanding and treatment of human diseases. Oxford is a highly respected and internationally recognised centre for biomedical research and students will benefit from tuition from leading experts working within a variety of nonclinical and clinical departments.

This course provides students with an intellectually stimulating education in modern molecular, cellular and systems biology and neuroscience. Please note this course does not provide medical training.

The Biomedical Sciences course at Oxford has been designed so that students initially acquire an integrated understanding of biomedical science that allows them to shape their subsequent studies towards the topics that interest them the most. Practical laboratory work forms an integral part of this programme and you will be required to complete these practical elements to a satisfactory standard in order to progress through the course. As the course progresses, increasing emphasis is placed on scientific research, as students obtain first-hand experience of laboratory research in the later stages. Students choose their own project and the possible areas for investigation within the University are wide ranging.

The Molecular Genetics BSc at King’s is a multidisciplinary degree programme focusing on the advances in the field of biology that investigate how the structure and functions of genes and the genome regulate the processes and mechanisms of life. Geneticists study how DNA is replicated, repaired, and decoded to make protein and other molecules within cells and tissues, which in turn impact the physiology, behaviour, and wellbeing of living things. The course covers the broad range of genetics from the molecular basis of genes and genomes to evolutionary and healthcare genetics. The understanding of how genes and genomes work provides insights into disease and avenues for developing new therapies within personalised medicine, As an expanding research area, Molecular Genetics contains many topics about our life, health and wellbeing and many issues of wide relevance for today’s society.

Reproductive biology aims to understand the scientific principles that govern reproduction in humans and other mammals.

You will study the requirements for reproduction, including:

• the production of sufficient numbers of viable gametes
• fertilisation
• implantation in a receptive uterus
• formation of a placenta that can sustain and nurture a baby
• delivery at full term

Advances in this field provided the knowledge behind assisted conception and have revolutionised reproductive medicine and veterinary practice.

Biochemistry is about understanding life on its smallest scale – the molecules and cells that make up organisms - and is one of four degree courses taught by the School of Life Sciences. This course will appeal to those who enjoy both biology and chemistry. You will study the structure and function of proteins and nucleic acids, how gene expression is controlled, how membranes, antibodies and hormones work, and how cells function within multicellular organisms.

We operate a modular system in which you will study six modules each year. The Biological Sciences BSc (Hons) three-year degree course has been designed to allow you more choice between modules in each successive year so that you can follow specialised routes within Biological Sciences, or address specific areas of interest, as you progress..

Recommended module combinations (“routes”) to allow various themes of specialisation are available, although these still allow choice at each level of the course. We have specified recommended routes corresponding to the following subject areas:

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Biomedical Science
• Cell Biology
• Plant Science
• Genetics
• Ecology and Environmental Science.

In the first year you’ll build a strong scientific understanding of biochemistry, genetics, physiology and ecology, mastering new practical skills along the way with advanced lab work. From there you can choose from a wide range of modules for your second and final years, from evolutionary genetics and infectious disease to neuroscience, reproductive biology or plant diversity. Mix and match to take a broad approach to your studies, or drill deep into the areas that interest you most.

If you’re passionate about ecology, conservation or animal biology, you’ll develop real-world skills with our field courses – studying large mammals in South Africa or ecological interactions in Croatia.

Our Biomedical Genetics BSc Honours degree focuses on developing your scientific and experimental skills to ensure you graduate prepared for your rewarding career in science. 

We are a National Centre of Excellence in biomedical research and you will be taught by our world-leading and expert staff. You will graduate with a cutting-edge knowledge of the industry. 

Studying a range of topics, from biochemistry, microbiology and physiology to evolution and genomics, our varied, but in-depth curriculum allows you to find your interests in the field. 

You will further your research skills through your final-year project. This gives you the practical experience of planning and conducting research that employers seek. 

Biomedical science is the study of the human body in health and disease. Our four-year BSc covers everything from human physiology and pharmacology, to molecular and cell biology. You’ll do a year-long, paid work placement as part of your degree.

Our students have found placements at organisations that include RB, Eli Lilly and GSK. A placement is a great opportunity to test out a career path that you're considering, whether that's in the lab or through applying your scientific knowledge and transferable skills in industry. Many students are even offered a graduate-level job at the end of it. You'll pay reduced fees for the year you're on placement and you'll have the support you need from your tutor and the University.

During your time at Sheffield you’ll study the basis of diseases such as coronavirus and cancer, and challenges such as hearing loss. You’ll explore therapies that use stem cell technology, and discover how we develop drug treatment for inflammatory disease.

Biochemistry examines the structure and function of living organisms at the molecular level. It is an exciting and rapidly developing subject and the primary investigative science within biology and medicine.

Our four-year MSci Biochemistry includes core modules in biochemistry and chemistry combined with modules in related fields.
 

The MSci is a four-year integrated master’s with three years of undergraduate study followed by a year of study at master’s level. The additional year of study and higher qualification can enhance your job prospects, or give you the experience to decide whether a research career might be for you.

In the first year, you will study a range of core modules designed to provide you with a broad overview of biology and chemistry and a good foundation in key modern biochemical concepts. In your second year, you will focus on a range of biochemistry modules, as well as some more practically oriented modules designed to equip you with the laboratory skills and knowledge required by a successful biochemist.

In your first year, you’ll study topics that are fundamental to veterinary biosciences, including biochemistry, cell biology, evolutionary origins of biodiversity, genetics, microbiology, and veterinary anatomy and physiology, ensuring you have a solid foundation upon which to build the rest of your degree. 

During your second year, you’ll get the option to learn about the pathogenesis of major human diseases, gain an understanding of endocrinology, including the role of individual hormones, delve deeper into animal evolution and comparative biology, and study animal and plant ecology. 

In your third year, you’ll study animal infectious diseases, exploring the approaches to controlling these and the impact these have on human health and safety, in addition to veterinary immunology, unpicking the anatomy of various animal species and exploring their immune responses. You’ll also select four modules, exploring topics such as animal behaviour, animal diversity, epidemiology of infectious diseases and food security. 

You’ll also complete a research project, bringing together all the practical, analytical, and presentation skills you’ve developed. 

If you want to learn from scientists tackling some of the world’s most important challenges – such as conservation, cancer and dementia – this Foundation Year is perfect for you.

On our Foundation Year, you’ll have the opportunity to explore exciting subjects in Life Sciences before you choose your degree. You’ll gain knowledge and experience of the content of different courses.

To prepare you for whichever course you pick, you learn both practical and academic skills in:

• biology
• chemistry
• mathematics.

This gives you the perfect grounding for your studies.

In your first year, you will focus on understanding of the fundamental biological processes that occur in cells, including DNA and protein synthesis, as well as the metabolic reactions that sustain cells and organisms. In subsequent years you will develop a greater understanding of how molecular processes are exquisitely controlled to ensure that the right process occurs in the right location – and at the right time. This control is essential to the correct functioning of cells, and the body as a whole, and errors can lead to disastrous consequences. One example of this is in cancer formation, where genetic mutations lead to loss of control of proteins that govern when cells replicate. You will learn how our knowledge of these molecular processes is leading to breakthroughs in disease treatment, through targeting and inactivating key molecules in the defective pathways.

Moreover, much of our understanding of molecules, their interactions with each other, and effective therapeutic drug design, now comes from studying molecular structures at the atomic level. Opportunities to learn how we use and generate molecular structures are embedded throughout the course and this is the focus of a third year module, which benefits from the expert knowledge of academic staff associated with the Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology.

On this course you will develop a range of skills that are valued by employers, including practical, analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as gaining experience in handling complex information. You will also develop transferable skills in time-management, meeting deadlines, giving oral presentations and working in teams to achieve a goal. By studying biochemistry alongside options in other biological sciences specialisms, you will be able to apply your knowledge across the boundaries of traditional disciplines and become a valuable and powerful asset in scientific environments and in many other walks of life.

The first three years of this course are identical to the Biological Sciences (Biochemistry) BSc, including the option to spend a Year in Industry or a Year Abroad between Years 2 and 3. Your fourth year then lets you focus on refining your research and lab skills - while also putting into practice your employability skills - by conducting a research project in one of six specialist areas.

Our MBiol Biology degree is a broad-based programme with a diverse range of topics. In Levels three and four you’ll be able to select from courses ranging from molecular biology and genomics, to marine and environmental topics, allowing you to develop your particular interests.