BSc Biological Sciences

at Durham University

Year 1

The first year covers fundamental aspects of biology including evolution, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, physiology, and an overview of the diversity of organisms, through a set of four “core” modules covering the following topics:
 

• Organisms and Environment

• Animal Physiology

• Genetics and Molecular Biology

• Biochemistry and Cell Biology.

The module-linked tutorial system provides support for taught material and an introduction to essential scientific and transferable skills.

The Year 1 course also includes an integrated “Fundamentals of Research” module which covers underpinning research skills, chemistry and maths designed to support learning in the other modules. A language module, provided by another department, can be taken as an alternative optional module.

Year 2

The second year of the course allows you to select a degree to meet your interests and career ambitions by choosing modules from those available. Second-year modules provide integrated skills training in an oral and written presentation, science communication, data analysis and acquisition and critical analysis skills through linked tutorials and workshops. Choices of modules made for Year 2 then feed forward into the third year. There is a wide range of module themes which have previously included:
 

• Biochemistry

• Ecology

• Developmental Biology

• Molecular Biology

• Cell Biology

• Cell Signalling

• Applied Physiology

• Plant and Algal Physiology

• Behaviour

• Microbiology

• Immunology

• Evolution.

A compulsory Year 2 support module, “Research Skills” is also offered, in which skills required for research-led learning at Year 3 are covered. As in Year 1, learning is supported by a module-linked tutorial system.

Year 3

Year 3 of the degree places the strongest emphasis on research, with taught content directly linked to research being carried out in the Department. You will undertake three major pieces of work, each constituting its own module; a workshop/field course, a literature review and a research module.

The “Workshop” (laboratory-based) or “Field Course” (field-based) module both involve research experience; field courses are currently held in South Africa or Scotland (residential field courses can incur an additional fee, which ranged from £200–£750 in 2019).

The "Literature Review" module involves the study of current research literature in a topic area selected by you, under personal supervision. The final year of the BSc (Hons) also includes the research module, which can be: a five-week laboratory or field-based Research Project; "Biological Enterprise", where you will develop the science and business case for a potential biotech-based product; "Biology into Schools", where you will gain hands-on practice of teaching at primary school level; or "Contemporary Issues in the Biosciences", where you will gain experience in the communication of bioscience by the production of a report.

In addition, you will study three modules linked to your interests from those offered. The Year 3 taught modules cover a wide range of topics, which previously have included:
 

• Advanced Topics in Ecology

• Conservation Biology

• Ecology in the Anthropocene

• Crops for the Future

• Stress and Responses to the Environment

• Advanced Topics in Development

• Biochemistry and Biotechnology

• Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering

• Ageing

• Advanced Cell Biology

• Genomics

• Biology of Disease.

A level offer – AAA including Biology or Chemistry or Human Biology plus another science subject.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – DDD and A level requirements as above.

IB Diploma score – 37 with 666 in higher level subjects including Biology or Chemistry plus another higher level science subject.

In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:
 

• We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications or who may have had a break in their study. Please contact our Admissions Selectors.

• Psychology, Maths and Geography are all considered sciences for the purposes of admissions. Although PE is accepted as a third A level, it is not a science for the purpose of admissions.

• There is no advantage in applying for both MBiol and BSc degrees.

• If you do not satisfy our general entry requirements, the Foundation Programme offers multidisciplinary degrees to prepare you for a range of specified degree courses.

• If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take an International Foundation Year pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

• We are pleased to consider applications for deferred entry.

Science A levels

Applicants taking Science A levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This applies only to applicants sitting A levels with an English examination board.

The tuition fees shown for students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.

Biosciences

Of those students who graduated:
 

• 86% are in paid employment or further study 15 months after graduation across all our programmes

Of those in employment:
 

• 83% are in high skilled employment

• With an average salary of £28,000.