Biological Sciences (Zoology) with Professional Training Year (BSc)

at Cardiff University

Course structure

 

This BSc course is full-time over four academic years. Year one is made up of six 20-credit modules, with three 40-credit modules taught in year two. Year three is spent on a professional placement and, in the final year, the research project carries 30 credits and is accompanied by three 30-credit modules.  While we aim to offer as much flexibility as possible in our courses, module choice may be restricted on the basis of Entry Degree to provide capacity on core modules which are required for some degree schemes.

 

Year one modules involve lectures and supporting tutorials providing background theoretical knowledge as well as practical classes. All of our degree schemes share a common year one, which covers all aspects of the biosciences and has the big advantage of giving you flexibility of degree choice. Classes provide students with IT skills for biologists and an understanding of statistical analysis of data, and coursework is used to develop written and oral communication skills.

 

In year two, extensive laboratory practicals help to develop practical skills and the ability to critically evaluate experimental data. Set assignments and reading are used to promote self-directed learning and the analysis of primary research literature.

 

The third year is spent on a work placement related to your degree. During this placement you will undertake all aspects of research, including experimental design, data acquisition and analysis and, finally, data presentation.

 

The final year requires much more independent study, and all students must produce a substantial research-based (laboratory, literature, pedagogic or scientific engagement) report.

 

Throughout the course we strive to offer as wide a choice as possible to allow you to tailor the degree to your study goals.

 

The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2022/2023 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2022.

 

Year one

 Core modules for year one

 

Module title	Module code	Credits
Skills for Science	BI1001	20 credits
Structure and Function of Living Organisms	BI1002	20 credits
Organisms and Environment	BI1003	20 credits
The Dynamic Cell	BI1004	20 credits
Biological Chemistry	BI1014	20 credits
Genetics and Evolution	BI1051	20 credits

 

Year two

 Optional modules for year two

 

Module title	Module code	Credits
Animal Diversity and Adaptation	BI2131	40 credits
Genetics and its Applications	BI2132	40 credits
Ecology Part A	BI2135	30 credits
Ecology Part B	BI2136	10 credits
Cell Biology	BI2231	40 credits
Biochemistry	BI2232	40 credits
Developmental and Stem Cell Biology	BI2233	40 credits
Molecular Biology of the Gene	BI2234	40 credits
Physiology	BI2331	40 credits
Concepts of Disease	BI2332	40 credits
Practical Anatomy	BI2333	40 credits
Brain and Behaviour	BI2431	40 credits
Fundamental Neuroscience	BI2432	40 credits

 

Year three: Sandwich year

 Core modules for year three

 

Module title	Module code	Credits
Sandwich Year	BI9999	120 credits

 

Year four

 Core modules for year four

 

Module title	Module code	Credits
Biosciences Final Year Project	BI3001	30 credits
Evolution and Adaptation	BI3153	30 credits
Biodiversity and Conservation Biology	BI3154	30 credits

 

 Optional modules for year four

 

Module title	Module code	Credits
Plants for the Future: Frontiers in Plant Science	BI3151	30 credits
Ecosystems, Sustainability and Global Change	BI3152	30 credits
Infection Biology and Epidemiology	BI3155	30 credits
Systems Biology	BI3157	30 credits
Genes to Genomes	BI3254	30 credits
Current Topics in Development, Stem Cells and Repair	BI3256	30 credits
Contemporary Topics in Disease	BI3351	30 credits
Cancer: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutics	BI3352	30 credits
Advanced Musculoskeletal Biology and Tissue Engineering	BI3353	30 credits
Advances in Physiology and Pathophysiology	BI3355	30 credits
Neurobiology of Brain Disorders	BI3451	30 credits
Systems Neuroscience	BI3452	30 credits

A level

AAB-ABB. Must include Biology (or Human Biology) or Chemistry. You will need to pass the science practical element of the A-level if this is part of your programme of study.

 

You will need to pass the science practical element of the A-level if this is part of your programme of study.

 

Extended/International Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ/IPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard A level offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.

 

International Baccalaureate
36-34 overall or 666 in 3 HL subjects. Must include grade 6 in HL Biology or Chemistry. 

 

GCSE
Grade C or grade 4 in GCSE English Language.

 

IELTS (academic)
At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill.

 

TOEFL iBT
At least 90 overall with minimum scores of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading and 20 for speaking.

 

PTE Academic
At least 62 overall with a minimum of 59 in all communicative skills.

 

Trinity ISE II/III
II: at least two Distinctions and two Merits.
III: at least a Pass in all components.

Tuition fees for 2022 entry

Fees for home status

• £9,000    

 

Fees for overseas status

• £23,450

This course includes a sandwich year which is spent on professional placement gaining relevant first-hand research experience. Your year will usually be spent with a single organisation, and you will carry out your own research project, undertaking all aspects of research, including data acquisition, analysis and presentation.

 

Our students find placements in a range of organisations, including research institutions, museums, field centres, zoos, wildlife trusts and other environmental organisations - recent examples include the Environment Agency, the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (Jersey), the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (Hamburg) and the Bimini Shark Lab (Bahamas). Many students choose to undertake placements at universities both inside and outside the UK, including France, Italy, Germany, Malta, Spain, USA, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

 

Our Placement Coordinators will help you to choose and arrange a suitable placement, and we make every effort to ensure that your placement offers practical research experience and training that is appropriate to your degree and career aspirations.

 

Throughout your placement year, you will continue to receive support from us. Your placement year will be assessed and will count towards your final degree. Some placement students receive a salary while on placement and others may receive a stipend; if you do not receive a salary you will usually be eligible to apply for a student loan.

 

The ‘sandwich’ year is available to all students and is not dependent on you achieving certain grades in years one and two (though we would expect you to be doing well in order to be a competitive applicant for placements). You can also enter the University on a three-year BSc course, then choose to switch to a four-year sandwich programme in year two if you wish.

 

Finding a placement is a competitive process and success cannot be guaranteed. However, we are usually successful in helping our sandwich year students to secure relevant and rewarding placement positions.

 

Our Zoology degree also includes ample opportunities for practical field work, and students on the second year Ecology and Conservation module can choose from several specialised, project-based courses that run in a variety of locations throughout the world. Our field courses typically include tropical ecology (Borneo, Malaysia), marine ecology (Caribbean and Malaysia), river ecology (Wales) and woodland ecology (Wales). Please note: availability of individual field courses can be affected by travel constraints or staff availability.