Biological Sciences BSc Honours

This module explores the cellular structure and function and genetics of eukaryotes, bacteria, archaea and viruses. It will provide students with principles of genetics as well as a detailed understanding of the genetic processes that are operating at molecular, organism, population and species levels and that ultimately underlie adaptive change. Students will also be introduced to core theory and experimental techniques used to investigate physiology, growth and death of cells.

This module focuses on structural organisation and physiological function of organisms. It will introduce biological structures of animals and plants, their relationships and their physiology.

This module aims to acquaint students with evolutionary biology. Using a comparative framework similarities and differences in anatomy and physiology among higher organisms will be discussed. It will introduce the nature of functional relationships between organisms and their environment and thus provide a framework to support future learning of concepts related to functional biology.

This module aims to equip students with practical skills and comprehension of biochemistry that will underpin their ongoing and future studies in Biological Sciences. Emphasis is placed on building a knowledge base from an atomic level through to macromolecules, developing an understanding of how chemical properties determine role and function. This forms a fundamental knowledge base of cellular composition and biochemical processes, with broad applications.

This module aims to develop student’s academic and transferrable skills in key areas applicable to biosciences. This includes mathematics for analysis, presentation and interpretation of data. As well as reading and writing literacy at university standard within a scientific context. Furthermore, employability content to create career awareness and showcase opportunities for personal and professional development, both within and outside the academic institution.

This module introduces students to fundamental laboratory and field techniques that underpin the study of biological systems. Skills introduced in this module include wet lab and field techniques, safe working practises and the ability to communicate scientific ideas in a variety of formats. The module will enable students to develop these skills within their degree programme and beyond.

The module aims to provide students with the skills necessary to plan, implement, analyse and report project-based work with focus on preparation for the final year project module. The module also develops core research skills fundamental to a scientific research design, irrespective of discipline. Specific research skills will be explored to meet individual programme requirements.

This module aims to give students a solid grounding regarding the vast diversity of Eukaryote life and currently recognised Supergroups. Students will gain functional knowledge of how that diversity originated, is geographically distributed and interacts with the biotic and abiotic environment. Processes associated with speciation and extinction are examined, together with evidence regarding current and past biodiversity fluctuations.

This module aims to introduce students to the complex relationships between living organisms and their physical environment and the different level of ecological organizations.  In the module students will explore the ecological condition and distribution of ecosystems, how climate and other environmental changes impact on ecosystems and drive the biodiversity crisis.

This module aims to provide a foundation on the molecular mechanisms underlying the structures and functions of genomes. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to acquire experience in the main laboratory technologies used for the analysis of DNA to gain essential skills for the application of genetic techniques.

This module aims to introduce students to practical field, and give experience in, assessing a range of variables associated with environmental monitoring. It will provide practice and evaluation of different biological and environmental monitoring/recording methods of both biotic and abiotic parameters. Students will be trained in identification and interpretation environmental variables of fundamental relevance to specific contemporary environmental issues.

This module aims to provide an understanding of processes involved in gene regulation and current methods available for investigating gene expression. It also aims to give an apprehension of how gene activity may be modulated according to changes in the cellular environment, how environmental conditions can trigger changes in these processes and how aberrations in gene expression can lead to disease.

The module aims to explore applied aspects of microbiology including the use of microbial production methods to produce pharmaceuticals and foods.  There is a focus on the role of micro-organisms in infectious disease transmission and emerging and re-emerging diseases in the clinical and environmental setting.  The module will also consider the challenges of outbreak control strategies including through antimicrobial use and vaccinations.

This module aims to introduce the concepts and language of immunology that are, or may be, applied clinically. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the different cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning the development of a range of different immunopathologies.  Regulation of the human endocrine system will also be introduced and explored by developing an understanding of what happens when regulation is lost leading to the onset of common endocrine pathologies. Knowledge of laboratory skills and analysis of data will be developed using immunological and endocrinological techniques.

This module is to develop practical skills in conducting assays used in cancer research. Students will also be trained to select the appropriate protein markers for studying aberrant cell signalling pathways in human cancers.

The module aims to provide students with the skills necessary to plan, implement, analyse and report project-based work with focus on preparation for the final year project module. The module also develops core research skills fundamental to a scientific research design, irrespective of discipline. Specific research skills will be explored to meet individual programme requirements.

This module aims to give students a solid grounding regarding the vast diversity of Eukaryote life and currently recognised Supergroups. Students will gain functional knowledge of how that diversity originated, is geographically distributed and interacts with the biotic and abiotic environment. Processes associated with speciation and extinction are examined, together with evidence regarding current and past biodiversity fluctuations.

This module aims to introduce students to the complex relationships between living organisms and their physical environment and the different level of ecological organizations.  In the module students will explore the ecological condition and distribution of ecosystems, how climate and other environmental changes impact on ecosystems and drive the biodiversity crisis.

This module aims to provide a foundation on the molecular mechanisms underlying the structures and functions of genomes. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to acquire experience in the main laboratory technologies used for the analysis of DNA to gain essential skills for the application of genetic techniques.

This module aims to provide an understanding of processes involved in gene regulation and current methods available for investigating gene expression. It also aims to give an apprehension of how gene activity may be modulated according to changes in the cellular environment, how environmental conditions can trigger changes in these processes and how aberrations in gene expression can lead to disease.

The module aims to explore applied aspects of microbiology including the use of microbial production methods to produce pharmaceuticals and foods.  There is a focus on the role of micro-organisms in infectious disease transmission and emerging and re-emerging diseases in the clinical and environmental setting.  The module will also consider the challenges of outbreak control strategies including through antimicrobial use and vaccinations.

The module aims to provide students with the skills necessary to plan, implement, analyse and report project-based work with focus on preparation for the final year project module. The module also develops core research skills fundamental to a scientific research design, irrespective of discipline. Specific research skills will be explored to meet individual programme requirements.

This module aims to give students a solid grounding regarding the vast diversity of Eukaryote life and currently recognised Supergroups. Students will gain functional knowledge of how that diversity originated, is geographically distributed and interacts with the biotic and abiotic environment. Processes associated with speciation and extinction are examined, together with evidence regarding current and past biodiversity fluctuations.

This module aims to introduce students to the complex relationships between living organisms and their physical environment and the different level of ecological organizations.  In the module students will explore the ecological condition and distribution of ecosystems, how climate and other environmental changes impact on ecosystems and drive the biodiversity crisis.

This module aims to provide a foundation on the molecular mechanisms underlying the structures and functions of genomes. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to acquire experience in the main laboratory technologies used for the analysis of DNA to gain essential skills for the application of genetic techniques.

This module aims to introduce students to practical field, and give experience in, assessing a range of variables associated with environmental monitoring. It will provide practice and evaluation of different biological and environmental monitoring/recording methods of both biotic and abiotic parameters. Students will be trained in identification and interpretation environmental variables of fundamental relevance to specific contemporary environmental issues.

This module fosters academic curiosity; an inquiry-based approach, the employment and application of research skills thus facilitating the development of a higher level of theorising. Students will select a topic of personal interest that they wish to study in-depth and will manage their own learning with the support of an academic supervisor.

This module will provide students with computer skills to analyse complex biological datasets. The module will follow a hands-on, problem-based approach to learning. Students will be given an overview of the computational tools that are commonly used, will be taught to program and to use the command line. They will then apply their skills to manipulate and explore publicly available biological datasets and answer authentic questions related to molecular biology.

This module aims to develop students’ knowledge of the role of micro- and macroevolutionary events and processes upon Earth’s biota and to broaden students’ ability to apply a wide range of evolutionary concepts to specific cases.

This module enables students to formalise and integrate professional experience into their programme. It aims to link academic learning to professional work-based skills. The module provides opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience from the process of applying for work in relevant organisations and enhance their skills of self-expression, communication and self-reliance.

This module enables you to recognise how traditional and modern biotechnology are applied to produce products or services for a more sustainable future. You will learn how to use the main tools for the manipulation of the genetic information and the production of GMOs. In addition, bioethical and legal issues in the field of biotechnology will be considered.

The module will build on earlier learning, enabling you to develop a much deeper understanding of neurology. It also provides a basis for an exploration of neurological disorders at neurogenetic, molecular or cellular level, and an appreciation of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in neurology.

The year-long placement is an opportunity for students to work in an industrial, field or laboratory-based setting gaining important and relevant skills related to their biology degree programme. The module aims to enhance a student’s employability skills, embed transferable and graduate skills and enable students to reflect on how the knowledge gained is relevant to their degree programme and the field of biology. Through the work placement students will gain experience of working in a team, facilitate their understanding of the workplace and enhance their skills of self-reliance and communication. The placement experience provides students with the opportunity to enhance their skills of self-reliance, communication, self-expression and co-operation.

This module fosters academic curiosity; an inquiry-based approach, the employment and application of research skills thus facilitating the development of a higher level of theorising. Students will select a topic of personal interest that they wish to study in-depth and will manage their own learning with the support of an academic supervisor.

This module will provide students with computer skills to analyse complex biological datasets. The module will follow a hands-on, problem-based approach to learning. Students will be given an overview of the computational tools that are commonly used, will be taught to program and to use the command line. They will then apply their skills to manipulate and explore publicly available biological datasets and answer authentic questions related to molecular biology.

This module enables you to recognise how traditional and modern biotechnology are applied to produce products or services for a more sustainable future. You will learn how to use the main tools for the manipulation of the genetic information and the production of GMOs. In addition, bioethical and legal issues in the field of biotechnology will be considered.

This module fosters academic curiosity; an inquiry-based approach, the employment and application of research skills thus facilitating the development of a higher level of theorising. Students will select a topic of personal interest that they wish to study in-depth and will manage their own learning with the support of an academic supervisor.

This module will provide students with computer skills to analyse complex biological datasets. The module will follow a hands-on, problem-based approach to learning. Students will be given an overview of the computational tools that are commonly used, will be taught to program and to use the command line. They will then apply their skills to manipulate and explore publicly available biological datasets and answer authentic questions related to molecular biology.

This module provides an overview of the concepts and methods associated with conservation science in different ecological contexts. The student will explore how different techniques of conservation science could be used to protect and restore nature in an increasingly anthropogenic environment and to lead to a sustainable future.