In Semesters 1-4 you’ll study the following core module options: Cell Biology; Physiology; Evolution and Genetics; Statistics; and Biodiversity. In addition you’ll study laboratory skills in the Biological and Environmental Sciences and Quantitative Techniques. You’ll also take additional modules in other disciplines of your choice usually from modules offered in Biological or Environmental Sciences or Aquatic Sciences.

Semesters 5-6 include modules in: Animal Physiology; Microbiology; and Animal Cell Biology. You’ll also select additional modules such as: Advanced Marine Biology Infectious Diseases Behavioural Ecology Plant Ecology and or Applied Biological Sciences Placement.

In Semesters 7-8 you’ll work on an independent research project and a number of advanced modules which include: Molecular Techniques Synthetic Biology Biological Control Mechanisms and your Dissertation Project.

Research project topics will be offered to you that reflect the active research interests of academic staff but you’re also supported in developing your own ideas. Some students have organised projects with other research organisations usually when they have already established a relationship with the organisation during vacation work.

Examples of recent high-quality student work include:

Expressing genes involved in Golgi secretion
Study of immunoglobulin M and monoclonal antibodies from Cod
PCR analysis of marine microorganisms in a changing climate
Why and how the fly immune system degenerates as flies age
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2022). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.

Year 1 Semester 1
Compulsory module

Module Credits
Introduction to Cell Biology (BIOU1CE) 20 credits
Prior to 2021 2 BIOU1CB was taken instead prior to 2020 1 SCIU1LS was taken in year 1

Option module

Select 40 credits from list

Module Credits
Accounting and Finance for Managers (ACCU7M1) 20 credits
Our Blue Planet (AQUU1OP) 20 credits
Introduction to Cell Biology (BIOU1CE) 20 credits
Ecology: An Introduction (BIOU1IE) 20 credits
View all 29 choices

Year 1 Semester 2
Compulsory module

Module Credits
Introduction to Physiology (BIOU2PH) 20 credits
Prior to 2021 2 BIOU2IP was taken instead.

Option module

Select 40 credits from list

Module Credits
Introduction to Management Accounting (ACCU9A2) 20 credits
Our Thirsty Planet: Man and the Aquatic Environment (AQUU2TP) 20 credits
Introduction to Physiology (BIOU2PH) 20 credits
Programming and User Interface Design (CSCU9P2) 20 credits
View all 28 choices

Year 2 Semester 1
Compulsory module

Module Credits
Evolution and Genetics (BIOU3GE) 20 credits
prior to 2021 2 BIOU3EG was taken instead

Compulsory module

Module Credits
Practical Science Skills I: Laboratory Skills (SCIU3LS) 20 credits
prior to 2021 2 SCIU1LS was taken in year 1 and SCIU3CB in year 2

Option module

Select 20 credits from list

Module Credits
Accounting and Finance for Managers (ACCU7M1) 20 credits
Our Blue Planet (AQUU1OP) 20 credits
Introduction to Aquatic Environments (AQUU3AE) 20 credits
Introduction to Cell Biology (BIOU1CE) 20 credits
View all 53 choices

in 2020 1 students took 40 credit of options from this list

Year 2 Semester 2
Compulsory module

Module Credits
Biodiversity (BIOU4BD) 20 credits
Compulsory module

Module Credits
Statistical Techniques (SCIU4T4) 20 credits
Option module

Select 20 credits from list

Module Credits
Introduction to Management Accounting (ACCU9A2) 20 credits
External Reporting (ACCU9A4) 20 credits
Our Thirsty Planet: Man and the Aquatic Environment (AQUU2TP) 20 credits
Science of Diving (AQUU4DS) 20 credits
View all 64 choices

Year 3 Semester 1
Compulsory module

Select 20 credits from AQUU5LR or BIOU9PC or SCIU7SR list

Module Credits
Managing Living Aquatic Resources (AQUU5LR) 20 credits
Population and Community Ecology (BIOU9PC) 20 credits
Statistics Using R (SCIU7SR) 20 credits
prior to 2020 1 BIOU9EN was required instead

Compulsory module

Module Credits
Animal Physiology (BIOU9AP) 20 credits
Compulsory module

Module Credits
Microbiology (BIOU5MB) 20 credits
prior to 2021 2 BIOU5MI was taken instead

Year 3 Semester 2
Compulsory module

Module Credits
The Animal Cell (BIOU6AC) 20 credits
Option module

Select 40 credits from Cell Biology Semester 6 Options list

Module Credits
Changing Oceans (AQUU6MB) 20 credits
Behavioural Ecology (BIOU6BE) 20 credits
Plant Ecology (BIOU6PE) 20 credits
Infectious Disease (BIOU9IN) 20 credits
View all 5 choices

Year 4 Semester 1
Compulsory module

Module Credits
Molecular Techniques (BIOU9TM) 20 credits
Compulsory module

Module Credits
Biological Control Mechanisms (BIOU7CM) 20 credits
Compulsory module

Module Credits
Phylogenetics Bioinformatics and Omics (BIOU7SB) 20 credits
prior to 2019 0 students took BIOU7PT and BIOU7EP

Year 4 Semester 2
Dissertation

Module Credits
Cell Biology and Applied Biological Sciences Dissertation (BIOU9CP) 60 credits

You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it