Course structure
This course offers interdisciplinary training in areas that are key to contemporary biological science, including animal, plant biology and biotechnology. This course will ensure you have life science awareness, strong technical expertise and are proficient in vital 'hand skills' (practical and research skills), that are heavily sought-after by employers.
Forth Valley College’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) provision is amongst the strongest and most comprehensive to be found at colleges from across the UK. The College has close links with industry, in order to provide you with the skills required by employers. Learner engagement and satisfaction are also major strengths for the College.
Years 1 and 2 will be delivered by Forth Valley College at their Falkirk Campus, with some key subject tutorials delivered at the University of Stirling. During the first 2 years, the focus is on the acquisition of fundamental biological laboratory skills, giving you an understanding of the science that underpins them. All modules will have an applied and practical skills focus. Much of the teaching will be done in small classes at Forth Valley College, with others at the University of Stirling, including a module in statistics, focused practical laboratory sessions and opportunities to undertake project work in Year 2.
From Year 3 onwards, you will be taught at the University of Stirling campus for the remainder of the course. Modules will focus largely on the cellular and molecular aspects of biological sciences including immunology and microbiology.
An industrial placement module will give you valuable insight into how the biosciences industries work, as well as giving you hands-on experience in the workplace.
Your final year will focus on advanced cellular and molecular biology, proteomic/genomic tools and experimental design together with an extended research dissertation carried out in academics’ laboratories. Research-led teaching is the key to deep learning and understanding. This approach, together with business placements, enables you to apply the skills that you develop to modern biosciences careers. We offer a wide range of research topics for your dissertation projects, from environmental and applied microbiology to infectious disease research.
You'll have full access to all of the University and College’s facilities and will be fully enrolled within both institutions.
Year 1 (at Forth Valley College)
• Applied Sciences: Graded Unit 1
• Laboratory Skills for Science Industries
• Fundamental Chemistry: Theory and Laboratory Skills
• Statistics for Science 1
• Human Body Structure and Function
• Biochemistry: Theory and Laboratory Skills
• Fundamental Chemistry: An Introduction
• Microbiology: Theory and Laboratory Skills
• DNA and Genetics
• Cell Biology: Theory and Laboratory Skills
• Biotechnology: An Introduction
Year 2 (at Forth Valley College)
• DNA Molecular Techniques
• Microbiological Techniques
• Immunological Techniques
• Protein Structure and Function
• Applied Biological Sciences: Graded Unit 2
• Mathematics for Science 1
• Animal Biology
• Plant Biology
• Quality and Health & Safety Systems in Science Industries
• Animal and Plant Cell Culture: An Introduction
• Instrumental Techniques
• Ecology and Ecosystems
Years 3 and 4 (at University of Stirling)
In the final two years students are taught at the University of Stirling. See information about modules in years 3 and 4 below.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2021). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Year 3, Semester 1
Compulsory module
Select 20 credits from AQUU5LR or BIOU9PC or SCIU7SR list
- Managing Living Aquatic Resources (AQUU5LR) 20 credits
- Population and Community Ecology (BIOU9PC) 20 credits
- Statistics Using R (SCIU7SR) 20 credits
- prior to 2020/1 BIOU9EN was required
Compulsory module
- Animal Physiology (BIOU9AP) 20 credits
Compulsory module
- Microbiology (BIOU5MB) 20 credits
- prior to 2021/2 BIOU5MI was taken instead
Year 3, Semester 2
Compulsory module
- The Animal Cell (BIOU6AC) 20 credits
Compulsory module
- Infectious Disease (BIOU9IN) 20 credits
Compulsory module
- Applied Biological Sciences Placement (BIOU9PL) 20 credits
Year 4, Semester 1
Compulsory module
- Phylogenetics, Bioinformatics and Omics (BIOU7SB) 20 credits
- prior to 2020/1 BIOU7PT and BIOU7EP were taken instead
Compulsory module
- Biological Control Mechanisms (BIOU7CM) 20 credits
Compulsory module
- Molecular Techniques (BIOU9TM) 20 credits
Year 4, Semester 2
Dissertation
- Cell Biology and Applied Biological Sciences Dissertation (BIOU9CP) 60 credits
