University Of Hertfordshire
The Biological Science program offers flexibility and a broad range of options for study. The first year provides a solid foundation in all aspects of biology including topics in areas such as physiology, biochemistry, genetics and cell biology During the course, students will examine the physiology of the human body and how it's affected by disease and drugs Students will study the structure, biochemistry and mechanics of the cell, as well as evolutionary processes and genetics, both in mammals and microorganisms
Why choose this course?
Lecturers with expertise across academic research, NHS and industry
Explore each Bioscience pathway before specialising
This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology
Interested in the biological phenomena of life? Intrigued by the functions of microorganisms, plants, human beings, and other animals? If your answer is ‘yes’, then we need you in the world of Biological Science. Gain the technical, analytical and practical skills for examining molecular and cellular processes present in all living organisms. You’ll learn biochemical, blood and microbial analyses in our modern £30m science building. You’ll also have exclusive access to IT rooms for bioinformatics. You’ll even have the chance to experience our broad, flexible range of optional modules before committing to the Biological Science pathway.
You will explore many new areas in this degree. Rest assured, we are with you all the way. You will have the time of a personal tutor, who will support you in gaining subject-specific skills in scientific writing, data interpretation, and communication. Take advantage of peer support too in group workshops. Share your breakthroughs and discuss patient case studies. This programme is the stepping-stone into a wide range of scientific careers with plenty of transferable skills to enter broader fields like teaching or business.
Hatfield, United Kingdom
36 Months
£ 14,000
IELTS: 6
You have 20 hours of contact time with lectures and workshops taking up about 6-10 hours per week.
In your first year, you will gain a solid foundation in topics areas such as physiology, biochemistry, genetics, and cell biology in lectures, seminars, and tutorials. You will use your theory to build on your practical skills in a well-equipped, modern laboratory.
In your second year you will start to specialise. You will choose from a range of modules from across our Biosciences courses so you can shape your leaning journey.
Work placement/study abroad option: Between your second and final year, you’ll have the option to study abroad or do a work placement for up to a year. Not only will this give you an amazing experience to talk about but will also give your CV a boost. If you’d rather go straight to your final year, that’s absolutely fine too.
In your final year you will find that you have grown to love certain topics that you just need to delve deeper into. You can select from all modules, whether this be disease, blood or medicine, and focus your major project or dissertation in this area.
Throughout your degree, you will be assessed in a variety of ways. This will include exams, literature reviews, portfolios, lab reports, practical and presentations. Coursework assessments are generally 50-100% per module. You will also take part in a 15 -credit work experience, complete with a final portfolio.
Your main campus is College Lane
This is where the creative arts, science and health-related subjects are based. This means you’ll share the campus with future nurses, scientists, artists and more. You can use the common rooms to relax with friends, work out in the 24-hour gym or have a drink in our on-campus pub or cafes. We also have restaurants for you to eat in or grab something on the go. Our Learning Resources Centres are open 24/7, which means you can study whenever suits you best. Want to pop over to the other campus? You can take the free shuttle bus or walk there in just 15 minutes.
What will I study?
Degree programmes are structured into levels, 4, 5 and 6. These correspond to your first, second and third/final year of study. Below you can see what modules you’ll be studying in each.
Part-time study
If you are studying part-time you will have up to 7 years to complete your course from registration. You will complete 60 credits per year and the modules you will study each year will depend on how they fit together on the timetable. For some modules, there are several sessions run for each workshop and practical. As a part-time student you will be able to choose the slots that fit best with when you are at the University for other teaching sessions.
Module | Credits | Compulsory/optional |
---|---|---|
Human Physiology with Pharmacology | 30 Credits | Compulsory |
Practical and Transferable Skills | 30 Credits | Compulsory |
Molecular Biology and Genetics | 15 Credits | Compulsory |
Core Biochemistry | 15 Credits | Compulsory |
Cell and Microbiology | 15 Credits | Compulsory |
Chemistry for Biologists | 15 Credits | Optional |
Molecular Structure and Reactivity | 15 Credits | Optional |
Level 5
Module | Credits | Compulsory/optional |
---|---|---|
Bioscience Research Methods | 15 Credits | Compulsory |
Principles of Immunology | 15 Credits | Compulsory |
Genes and Genomes | 15 Credits | Compulsory |
Cell and Molecular Biology | 15 Credits | Compulsory |
Bioscience Work Experience | 15 Credits | Optional |
Microbiology of Disease | 15 Credits | Optional |
Cytology and Histopathology | 15 Credits | Optional |
Blood Sciences | 30 Credits | Optional |
Biology of Disease | 15 Credits | Optional |
Pharmacology | 30 Credits | Optional |
Biochemistry for Pharmacology | 15 Credits | Optional |
Chemistry and Analytical Science | 30 Credits | Optional |
Biochemistry | 30 Credits | Optional |
Level 6
Module | Credits | Compulsory/optional |
---|---|---|
Project | 30 Credits | Compulsory |
Clinical Microbiology | 15 Credits | Optional |
Year Abroad: Bioscience | 0 Credits | Optional |
Sandwich Placement; Bioscience | 0 Credits | Optional |
Applied and Integrated Pharmacological Science | 15 Credits | Optional |
Neurobiology and Disease | 30 Credits | Optional |
Translation of Science into Medicine | 15 Credits | Optional |
Molecular Medicine | 15 Credits | Optional |
Cell Differentiation and Development | 30 Credits | Optional |
Applied and Integrated Molecular Science | 15 Credits | Optional |
Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology | 30 Credits | Optional |
Cellular and Molecular Pathology | 30 Credits | Optional |
Applied and Integrated Biomedical Science | 15 Credits | Optional |
Therapeutic Pharmacology | 30 Credits | Optional |
Advanced Biochemistry | 30 Credits | Optional |
UCAS points |
A Level |
BTEC |
---|---|---|
104-112 |
BCC-BBC: Including 2 science GCE A Levels (or equivalent) one of which must be a grade C in either biology or chemistry (acceptable A levels are Human Biology, Psychology, Geography, Maths, Physics, ICT and Sports Studies).Pass required in A level science practical. |
MMM-DMM: Extended Diploma in Applied Science (depending on optional units studied) with DMM profile. |
Additional requirements
GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language, 4/C in Mathematics and 4/C in Double Science or two Single Science grades at 4/C.
All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.
If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.
UK Students
Full time
£9250 for the 2022/2023 academic year
Part time
£1155 per 15 credits for the 2022/2023 academic year
EU Students
Full time
£14000 for the 2022/2023 academic year
Part time
£1750 per 15 credits for the 2022/2023 academic year
International Students
Full time
£14000 for the 2022/2023 academic year
Part time
£1750 per 15 credits for the 2022/2023 academic year
There are no compulsory additional expenses for this course. Where you will use an EVS handset, Lab coats and log books, these will be provided as part of your course fees.
*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.
Our Biosciences graduates are highly sought after by employers in the industry due to the reputation of our teaching, the vocational element to our degrees and the fact that many of our students already have a year's work experience when they graduate which they gain in the sandwich year. Graduates can find employment in the pharmaceutical, food and drink, agrochemical and biotechnology industries as well as in industrial, academic and charity funded research. Some graduates also go on to work in health care and environment agencies. First salaries range from £12,000 to £22,000 pa.
Typical job titles of recent graduates:
Trainee Biomedical Scientist,,
Clinical Trials Associate,
Drug Safety Coordinator,
Medical Representative,
Lab Scientist,
Microbiologist,
Research Assistant,
Tissue Culture Technologist,
Donor Transplant Assistant.
Typical employers of recent graduates:
Pfizer,
Denfleet Pharma Ltd,
Health Protection Agency,
GlaxoSmithKline,
AstraZeneca,
NHS Trusts
Lark Technology.
Our graduates are highly sought after. They find employment in the pharmaceutical, food and drink, agrochemical and biotechnology industries, as well as in industrial, academic and charity-funded research. Jobs include drug safety coordinator, lab scientist, microbiologist, research assistant and donor transplant assistant.