Biology BSc Hons

at Northumbria University

You’ll learn through a mix of approaches including lectures, tutorials, seminars and practical sessions. A strong emphasis is placed on applied and problem-based learning, this is embedded into each year of study and particularly within the final year research project.

 

You’ll begin the course with an introduction to a broad range of fundamental subject areas and skills which will be enhanced as you progress and further develop your subject knowledge, laboratory skills, experimental design, data-handling and communication skills. You’ll also be involved in increasingly complex assignments and practical and field work exercises, with a greater emphasis on group and independent learning.

 

During your final year you’ll carry out an individual research project in an area of interest. At this stage, you’ll be expected to exercise independent thought and critically evaluate and synthesize complex subject matter in the fields studied.

 

Your progression will be supported by guidance to help you achieve good grades and we’ll actively encourage you to develop your creativity and entrepreneurship through really innovative assessment tasks, tailored to each module and level of study.

 

You’ll be offered a great range of work-related learning opportunities throughout the course, including the option for a sandwich year in industry or to study abroad, between years 2 and 3.

 

Pathway options

After studying a core first year you can choose to continue on the Biology pathway or go on to specialise in Biotechnology or Neurobiology, to suit your personal interests and aspirations.

 

In the biology pathway, you will learn more about various aspects and research areas of environmental biology. The alternative, specialism pathways include modules that focus on outcomes of recent research and their applications in biotechnological discipline and in the field of neuroscience, respectively.

 

During your first year of study you’ll find out more about the modules associated with each pathway, and be invited to choose your preferred option.

 

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

 

Year one

 

• AP0404 -Cell Biology and Genetics (Core,20 Credits)
• AP0406 -Practical Skills (Core,20 Credits)
• AP0407 -Biochemistry (Core,20 Credits)
• AP0408 -Anatomy and Physiology (Core,20 Credits)
• AP0412 -Animal and Plant Biology (Core,20 Credits)
• AP0413 -Introduction to the Microbial World (Core,20 Credits)
• JE5001 -Academic Language Skills for Applied Sciences (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Year two

 

• AP0507 -Principles of Cellular and Biomolecular Analysis (Core,20 Credits)
• AP0508 -Biology of Disease (Core,20 Credits)
• AP0511 -Molecular Biology and Genetics (Core,20 Credits)
• AP0514 -Human Metabolism (Core,20 Credits)
• AP0515 -Environmental Biology (Optional,20 Credits)
• AP0516 -Biology in Action (Optional,20 Credits)
• AP0517 -Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology (Optional,20 Credits)
• AP0518 -Investigative Biotechnology (Optional,20 Credits)
• AP0519 -Principles of Neuroscience (Optional,20 Credits)
• AP0520 -Neuroscience Case Studies (Optional,20 Credits)

Year three

 

• AP0536 -Study Abroad (Optional,120 Credits)
• AP0552 -Industrial Placement Year (Optional,120 Credits)
• AT5004 -Year in International Business (This is made up of modules studied in Newcastle (Semester 1) & Amsterdam (Semester 2) (Optional,120 Credits)
• AT5007 -Year in International Multidisciplinary Innovation (4 modules studied in Amsterdam (Semester 1) & Newcastle (Semester 2) (Optional,120 Credits)

Year four

 

• AP0606 -Biomedical and Biological Sciences Research Project (Core,40 Credits)
• AP0607 -Molecular Cell Interactions (Core,20 Credits)
• AP0609 -Advanced Analytical Techniques (Core,20 Credits)
• AP0612 -The Impact of Science on Society (Core,20 Credits)
• AP0613 -Current Topics in Biology and Microbiology (Optional,20 Credits)
• AP0614 -Applied Bioinformatics and Post Genomics (Optional,20 Credits)
• AP0615 -Neuroscience in Practice (Optional,20 Credits)

 

English Language Requirements:

 

International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).

Fees and Funding 2022/23 Entry

UK Fee in Year 1: £9,250

* The maximum tuition fee that we are permitted to charge for UK students is set by government. Tuition fees may increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, these are subject to government regulations and in line with inflation.

EU Fee in Year 1: £16,500

 

International Fee in Year 1: £16,500

As a Biology graduate you’ll not only have gained expert, subject-specific knowledge but you’ll also secure a whole host of wider skills to support your future career choices, including data-handling, complex problem solving and project management. 

 

Biology graduates are sought-after in many specialist fields including biotechnology and medicine, scientific civil service, environmental protection, forensic science and science education, as well as by employers who value their high-level skills in communication, analysis and numeracy.

 

Many of our recent graduates have gone on to work for leading global organisations including GlaxoSmithKline, Brenntag and Covance, whilst others have gone into teaching and research roles or on to postgraduate studies.

 

The Applied Sciences department is business focused – we seek to develop sustainable partnerships with industry and commerce to benefit you, the student.

 

The applied nature of research has enabled enterprise and consultancy to be established in collaboration with a wide range of industrial partners ranging from large multi-nationals to small companies based in the region and nationally.

 

Your skills will be developed to meet the needs identified by our partners, and your lab-ready skillset will be demonstrated to potential employers through placements and graduate recruitment available once you progress onto the full degree.