BSc Hons Biology

at University of Stirling

Training is provided in laboratory and field skills across the entire scope of biology, from cell biology through physiology to ecology.
 

During Semesters 1-4 you’ll take core modules in Cell Biology, Physiology, Genetics and Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity. You’ll learn practical skills in Natural Sciences and Quantitative Techniques and do a field course for ecology and identification skills. Additionally, you can select from modules offered in Ecosystem, Environmental and Aquatic Sciences.
 

During Semesters 5 – 6 you’ll take a core module in Plant Ecology and Physiology and you’ll also take five modules from a range of options in animal and human biology.
 

In Semesters 7-8, our range of specialist half-modules allows you to specialise in an area of biology that particularly interests you. You’ll undertake an independent research project and study between four or six advanced modules from a range of options. Final-year projects are a challenging yet valuable part of our degrees. In recent years, students on the Biology course have completed projects within the broad disciplines of Animal Behaviour, Plant Physiology and Ecology, Animal Ecology, Molecular Cell Biology, Parasitology, Molecular and Population Genetics. Projects are supervised by our staff, but may also be carried out in conjunction with an external organisation.
 

Year 1, Semester 1

Compulsory module

• Ecology: An Introduction (BIOU1IE)    20 credits

• prior to 2021/2 BIOU1EC was taken instead
   

Compulsory module

• Introduction to Cell Biology (BIOU1CE)    20 credits

• Prior to 2021/2 BIOU1CB was taken instead, prior to 2020/1 SCIU1LS was taken in year 1
   

Option module

Select 20 credits from any semester 1 (exc BIOU1CE) list
 

• Accounting and Finance for Managers (ACCU7M1)    20 credits

• Our Blue Planet (AQUU1OP)    20 credits

• Ecology: An Introduction (BIOU1IE)    20 credits

• Introduction to Computing Science (CSCU9P1)    20 credits

Year 1, Semester 2

Compulsory module

• Introduction to Physiology (BIOU2PH)    20 credits

• Prior to 2021/2 BIOU2IP was taken instead.
   

Compulsory module

• Practical Science Skills II: Field Skills (SCIU2PS)    20 credits

• prior to 2021/2 SCIU2FS was taken instead
   

Option module

Select 20 credits from list
 

• Introduction to Management Accounting (ACCU9A2)    20 credits

• Our Thirsty Planet: Man and the Aquatic Environment (AQUU2TP)    20 credits

• Introduction to Physiology (BIOU2PH)    20 credits

• Making the Most of the World Wide Web (CSCU9F2)    20 credits

Year 2, Semester 1

Compulsory module

• Evolution and Genetics (BIOU3GE)    20 credits

• prior to 2021/2 BIOU3EG was taken instead
   

Compulsory module

• Practical Science Skills I: Laboratory Skills (SCIU3LS)    20 credits

• prior to 2021/2 BIOU1CB was taken in year 2
   

Compulsory module

• Biology Field Course (SCIU3FB)    20 credits
   

Year 2, Semester 2

Compulsory module

• Biodiversity (BIOU4BD)    20 credits
   

Compulsory module

• Statistical Techniques (SCIU4T4)    20 credits
   

Option module

Select 20 credits from list

• Introduction to Management Accounting (ACCU9A2)    20 credits

• External Reporting (ACCU9A4)    20 credits

• Our Thirsty Planet: Man and the Aquatic Environment (AQUU2TP)    20 credits

• Science of Diving (AQUU4DS)    20 credits

Year 3, Semester 1

Option module

Select 60 credits from Biology Honours option modules list

• Microbiology (BIOU5MB)    20 credits

• Animal Physiology (BIOU9AP)    20 credits

• Population and Community Ecology (BIOU9PC)    20 credits

• Habitat Management and Restoration (ENVU9MR)    20 credits

Year 3, Semester 2

Compulsory module

• Plant Ecology (BIOU6PE)    20 credits
   

Option module

Select 40 credits from Biology Honours option modules list
 

• Changing Oceans (AQUU6MB)    20 credits

• The Animal Cell (BIOU6AC)    20 credits

• Behavioural Ecology (BIOU6BE)    20 credits

• Infectious Disease (BIOU9IN)    20 credits
   

Year 4, Semester 1

Dissertation

• Biology Project (BIOU9PR)    60 credits

• Continued in semester 8.
   

Option module

Select 30 to 50 credits from Semester 7 Biology options list
 

• Conservation Biology (BIOU7CB)    10 credits

• Biological Control Mechanisms (BIOU7CM)    20 credits

• Phylogenetics, Bioinformatics and Omics (BIOU7SB)    20 credits

• The Evolution of Sex & its Consequences (BIOU7SX)    10 credits
   

Students cannot choose to do more than one module from the following list BIOU7FC, BIOU8FC and BIOU8GA as they are mutually exclusive.
 

Year 4, Semester 2

Option module

Select 10 to 30 credits from Semester 8 Biology options list

• Changing Oceans (AQUU6MB)    20 credits

• The Animal Cell (BIOU6AC)    20 credits

• Behavioural Ecology (BIOU6BE)    20 credits

• Biology Field Course (BIOU8FC)    20 credits

Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
 

SQA Highers

• AABB - by the end of S5

• AABBB - by the end of S6
   

GCE A-levels

• BBB
   

IB Diploma

• 30 points
   

BTEC (Level 3)

• DDM
   

Widening access students

• Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.

• Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
   

Year 2 entry – Three-year honours
 

SQA Advanced Highers

• ABB – one sitting
   

GCE A-levels

• ABB
   

IB Diploma

• 35 points
   

Essential subjects

• To include one of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics.
  ​​​​​​​

Direct Entry to 1st Year:
 

Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 65% and above from the following state boards:
 

• CBSE

• ISC/ICSE

• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
   

• Students from other state boards will require Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 75%.
   

  Advanced Entry to 2nd Year:
   

  Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 75% and above from the following state boards:
   

• CBSE

• ISC/ICSE

• Advanced entry is possible on a range of courses. Student applications will be considered on a case by case basis.Please note that advanced entry options for students who have scored 35 in the International Baccalaureate or GCE A-Levels ABB in one sitting will also be considered on a case by case basis.
  
  Students who score 70% in English in Year 12 from the following exam boards won't be required to submit IELTS, if studied within the last 5 years of our course start date:
   

• CBSE
• ISC/ICSE
• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
   

• Students from other state boards will either need 80% in English if studied within 5 years of the course start date, or a UKVI SELT, IELTS Academic or PTE Academic, depending on the state board, taken within 2 years of our course start date.
  
  English language requirements
  
  If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
   

• IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with 5.5 in each skill

• Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill

• Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill

• Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill

• IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing

• IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing

• Trinity ISE II Pass overall and Pass in each sub-skill, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills

• Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills

• Duolingo 95 overall with a minimum of 90 in all sub-skills

• LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator -  Pass with minimum 33 in each sub-skill

• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)

Overseas students (non-EU)
 

You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.

EU and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.

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