BSc Hons Cell Biology

at University of Stirling

In Semesters 1-4, you’ll study the following core module options: Cell Biology; Physiology; Evolution and Genetics; Statistics; and Biodiversity. In addition, you’ll study laboratory skills in the Biological and Environmental Sciences and Quantitative Techniques. You’ll also take additional modules in other disciplines of your choice, usually from modules offered in Biological or Environmental Sciences or Aquatic Sciences.
 

Semesters 5-6 include modules in: Animal Physiology; Microbiology; and Animal Cell Biology. You’ll also select additional modules such as: Advanced Marine Biology, Infectious Diseases, Behavioural Ecology, Plant Ecology and/or Applied Biological Sciences Placement.
 

In Semesters 7-8, you’ll work on an independent research project and a number of advanced modules which include: Molecular Techniques, Synthetic Biology, Biological Control Mechanisms and your Dissertation Project.
 

Research project topics will be offered to you that reflect the active research interests of academic staff but you’re also supported in developing your own ideas. Some students have organised projects with other research organisations, usually when they have already established a relationship with the organisation during vacation work.
 

Examples of recent high-quality student work include:
 

• Expressing genes involved in Golgi secretion

• Study of immunoglobulin M and monoclonal antibodies from Cod

• PCR analysis of marine microorganisms in a changing climate

• Why and how the fly immune system degenerates as flies age
   

Year 1, Semester 1

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 40 credits from list
 

• Accounting and Finance for Managers (ACCU7M1)    20 credits

• Our Blue Planet (AQUU1OP)    20 credits

• Introduction to Cell Biology (BIOU1CE)    20 credits

• Ecology: An Introduction (BIOU1IE)    20 credits

 

Year 1, Semester 2

Compulsory module

• Introduction to Physiology (BIOU2PH)    20 credits

• Prior to 2021/2 BIOU2IP was taken instead.
   

Option module

Select 40 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 SCIU1LS was taken in year 1 and SCIU3CB in year 2
   

Option module

Select 20 credits from list
 

• Accounting and Finance for Managers (ACCU7M1)    20 credits

• Our Blue Planet (AQUU1OP)    20 credits

• Introduction to Aquatic Environments (AQUU3AE)    20 credits

• Introduction to Cell Biology (BIOU1CE)    20 credits
   

in 2020/1 students took 40 credit of options from this list
 

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

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 instead
   

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
   

Option module

Select 40 credits from Cell Biology Semester 6 Options list
 

• Changing Oceans (AQUU6MB)    20 credits

• Behavioural Ecology (BIOU6BE)    20 credits

• Plant Ecology (BIOU6PE)    20 credits

• Infectious Disease (BIOU9IN)    20 credits

 

Year 4, Semester 1

Compulsory module

• Molecular Techniques (BIOU9TM)    20 credits
   

Compulsory module

• Biological Control Mechanisms (BIOU7CM)    20 credits
   

Compulsory module

• Phylogenetics, Bioinformatics and Omics (BIOU7SB)    20 credits

• prior to 2019/0 students took BIOU7PT and BIOU7EP
   

Year 4, Semester 2

Dissertation

• Cell Biology and Applied Biological Sciences Dissertation (BIOU9CP)    60 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)

Academic year:	2022/23	2023/24
Overseas students (non-EU)	£18,800	£20,300

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.

Our Cell Biology graduates may follow careers in the pharmaceutical, healthcare and biomedical, biotechnology, microbiology and agricultural industries. Other career paths can include the civil service, forensic science, teaching, the food industry, and government and industrial research laboratories.
 

Many students will go on to further study, such as a Masters degree or a PhD.
 

Companies we work with
 

Companies we work with include:
 

• Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) Valneva

• BioReliance

• Merck

• Roslin Technologies Limited

• Hyaltech Ltd

• Diageo