MBiol Biosciences

at Durham University

Program structure

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 gives you an introduction to essential scientific and transferable skills.

The Year 1 course also includes an integrated “Scientific Skills” module which covers underpinning chemistry and maths designed to support your learning in the other modules. In addition, an optional module provides an introduction to all aspects of current research in biosciences. 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 available. 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 Structure and Function

• Cell Signalling

• Applied Physiology

• Plant and Algal Physiology

• Behaviour

• Microbiology

• Immunology

• Evolution.

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

Year 3

In Year 3 of the MBiol course, there is an emphasis on personal research and research training in close collaboration with members of academic staff. You will undertake two major pieces of work; 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 the personal supervision of a member of staff.

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

• Advanced Topics in Ecology

• Conservation Biology

• Ecology in the Anthropocene

• Crops for the Future

• Stress and Responses in the Environment

• Advanced Topics in Development

• Biochemistry and Biotechnology

• Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering

• Ageing

• Advanced Cell Biology

• Genomics

• Biology of Disease.

Year 4

The fourth year of the MBiol course contains a taught module on the principles and research practice in the biosciences, an additional field course or practical laboratory workshop and a four module (80-credit) Research Project which runs through the entire year. This major Research Project is a key component of the MBiol course and prepares you for research at postgraduate level.

Staff in the Department of Biosciences will offer suitable projects over a wide range of topics in modern biological and biomedical
sciences. The projects will address the requirements of potential employers, as well as providing an opportunity for you to carry out work at the cutting-edge of biosciences research. The Research Project will be written up as a Master's Dissertation.

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; students can seek to transfer between these degrees at the end of Year 2.

• Continuation on the MBiol degree course after Year 2 is dependent on achieving satisfactory performance at Year 2, according to University regulations; failure to achieve this standard will result in an automatic transfer to the three year BSc.

• 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.

• We are pleased to consider applications for deferred entry.

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.

Career opportunities

Biosciences

Of those students who graduated in 2019:

• 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.