Programme summary for BSc (Hons) Applied Biology
About the programme
Biology is the study of living things. What we study is incredibly varied, including structure and anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, ecology, genetics, nutrition, etc. Increasingly important nowadays is molecular biology, which looks at the structure of the molecules that make up living things and how they behave. This programme offers excellent employment prospects and provides a wide range of options to suit your own particular interests and career aspirations. See what one of our Applied Biology graduates thought of her study in the School of Health, Sport and Bioscience.
Programme structure
- Most students follow a 3-year full-time pathway, however 4-year sandwich degree (will be encouraged) and part-time routes are also available.
- The programme is taught in a semesterised system with 3 modules of study in each semester for full-time students. Students may join the programme at the start of either semester.
- Level 1 is essentially a foundation year, designed to cement and extend areas of study, which should already be at least partly familiar to students. In two Skills modules students will develop the study skills and IT skills required in any modern degree programme together with modules which provide more specialist background knowledge in areas such as Physiology, Microbiology, Cell biology and Biochemistry.
- At Level 2, students study Molecular Biology and then have free choice to select the remaining 5 modules.
- The third year of study can be spent away from the University in an agreed work placement
- Level 3 combines 4 specialist modules, of the students choosing, together with an individual research project (double module), involving original laboratory or library based research work.
Career opportunities
Depending on the options you choose, this programme will enable you to pursue careers in the pharmaceutical, food and/or biotechnology industries, in the National Health Service or Health Protection Agency, in academic research, in forensic science or environmental monitoring. Many students go on to laboratory-based careers but there are also careers in areas such as scientific sales management and clinical data management.
Support
The School of Health and Bioscience provides immediate contact with University support systems.
- In your first year, you are allocated a Personal Tutor (a member of staff familiar with your degree). You will see your Tutor at regular intervals to discuss progress and life in general.
- Module leaders and Degree pathway leaders also give support on academic matters, and advice about other specialist help available through the University.
- The School also has a Help Desk to provide administrative assistance and advise how to get the right help.
- Internet homepages are used by many staff to support their teaching and your learning.
- Lecture and practical files, quizzes, mark summaries and much more is now available for several modules via UELPlus Online links.
Throughout the programme you will find a number of scheduled support activities devoted to specific aspects e.g. how to write your project report, or more general aspects such as careers.
Support for students on a University level includes:
- Libraries and Learning Resource Centres
- Childcare for students with children aged 21/2 years to 5 years.
- Careers advice and information
- Counselling and Advice for practical problems
- Health Centre with a nurse regularly on duty.
- Language tuition
- Dyslexia support
- Accommodation
Admission
For students entering with AS/A2 qualification, the minimum requirement is 240 points at A2 level with a preferred minimum of 100 A2 points in Biology or Chemistry.
We also accept Access to Science, Advanced GNVQ in Science at merit grade, and BTEC National Diploma in Science with a minimum of 6 modules at merit grade or higher. All students should also have a minimum of grade C at GCSE, or equivalent, in English language, mathematics and double science.
Applicants with overseas or alternative qualifications are considered on an individual basis. For mature students, credit may be given for relevant work experience.
Direct entry to the second year of the programme is available for students with Higher National Certificate or Diploma in an appropriate area, or for those who have successfully completed study equivalent to level one at another University.
If you want to study Applied Biology but have not achieved the right entry qualifications, why not start with our extended degree programme in Applied Biology (feeds in at Level 1).
Students may be admitted through Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certified Learning (ACL) processes.
In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) is required. International qualification will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education undergraduate programmes.
Key facts
You can start many programmes in either September or February and applications are simple to make. Click below to:
Apply online Applied Biology (BSc (Hons))
