| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-23 | 2023-07-04 |
| 2024-01-23 | - |
Program Overview
Explore the molecular processes within and related to living organisms. This is a laboratory-based science.
Combine your interests in biology and chemistry by applying chemical knowledge and techniques to study biological processes. You’ll learn what’s happening inside cells, how they communicate with each other, and use this to predict how molecules will interact.
Tailor to your interests
In year one you’ll gain a broad grounding in biosciences to help work out where your interests lie. Then from year two, you'll choose optional units in specific areas, such as developmental biology, genomics, neuroscience, cancer biology and microbiology.
If you want a more in-depth study experience, you could consider applying for our MBiochem (Hons) Biochemistry course.
Undertake a dedicated research project
In your final year, you’ll carry out your own research project, giving you first-hand experience as a researcher and the opportunity to contribute to the leading research of our academics. We have world-leading research centres, covering areas including evolution and mathematical biology.
Develop your professional skills
You'll be exposed to a wide variety of opportunities to develop transferable professional skills, including problem solving, IT, communications, time management, research and analysis, and team working. We aim for our graduates to be adaptable and creative problem solvers, ready for a career in an ever-changing world.
Gain hands-on experience in specialist labs
You’ll spend time learning practical scientific techniques in our well-equipped teaching labs. You’ll also have access to a computer lab for bioinformatics. In the final year you'll have the opportunity to work in our state-of-the-art research labs and with some of the broad range of biological materials used in our research.
Take a look around the Department on our 360 virtual tour.
Prepare for your future career
You'll graduate with the knowledge and skills to be part of the next generation of scientists, helping make you highly sought after by employers. You'll also be well equipped to apply the skills you've gained in a range of other careers such as business, management or marketing or even go on to further study, such as a master’s or PhD. Biological sciences at Bath is ranked 9th for graduate prospects in the Complete University Guide 2023.
Examples of recent employers include:
Find out more about what our biology graduates go on to do, what our biochemistry graduates go on to do and what our biomedical sciences graduates go on to do.
Learn more on our Biosciences Virtual Experience
You can find out more about studying a biosciences degree at Bath by visiting our Biosciences Virtual Experience page to watch videos and read case studies from staff and students in the Department.
Explore the molecular processes within and related to living organisms. This is a laboratory-based science.
Combine your interests in biology and chemistry by applying chemical knowledge and techniques to study biological processes. You’ll learn what’s happening inside cells, how they communicate with each other, and use this to predict how molecules will interact.
Tailor to your interests
In year one you’ll gain a broad grounding in biosciences to help work out where your interests lie. Then from year two, you'll choose optional units in specific areas, such as developmental biology, genomics, neuroscience, cancer biology and microbiology.
If you want a more in-depth study experience, you could consider applying for our MBiochem (Hons) Biochemistry course.
Undertake a dedicated research project
In your final year, you’ll carry out your own research project, giving you first-hand experience as a researcher and the opportunity to contribute to the leading research of our academics. We have world-leading research centres, covering areas including evolution and mathematical biology.
Develop your professional skills
You'll be exposed to a wide variety of opportunities to develop transferable professional skills, including problem solving, IT, communications, time management, research and analysis, and team working. We aim for our graduates to be adaptable and creative problem solvers, ready for a career in an ever-changing world.
Gain hands-on experience in specialist labs
You’ll spend time learning practical scientific techniques in our well-equipped teaching labs. You’ll also have access to a computer lab for bioinformatics. In the final year you'll have the opportunity to work in our state-of-the-art research labs and with some of the broad range of biological materials used in our research.
Take a look around the Department on our 360 virtual tour.
Prepare for your future career
You'll graduate with the knowledge and skills to be part of the next generation of scientists, helping make you highly sought after by employers. You'll also be well equipped to apply the skills you've gained in a range of other careers such as business, management or marketing or even go on to further study, such as a master’s or PhD. Biological sciences at Bath is ranked 9th for graduate prospects in the Complete University Guide 2023.
Examples of recent employers include:
Find out more about what our biology graduates go on to do, what our biochemistry graduates go on to do and what our biomedical sciences graduates go on to do.
Learn more on our Biosciences Virtual Experience
You can find out more about studying a biosciences degree at Bath by visiting our Biosciences Virtual Experience page to watch videos and read case studies from staff and students in the Department.
Program Outline
Course structure
This course lasts 3 years. It starts in September 2023 and ends in 2026. Welcome week starts on 25 September 2023.
Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.
Units
At Bath, our courses are made up of units of study. Compulsory units cover core concepts that you'll need to understand as part of your degree programme. Some of our courses also offer the opportunity for you to study optional units. These allow you to specialise in particular areas of knowledge that interest you.
As an undergraduate, you will be expected to take 60 credits (ECTS) in each academic year. These are usually split into 30 credits for each semester you study. Sixty credits are the equivalent of 1200 notional hours of study; this includes contact time with staff and your own independent learning.
Year 1
Compulsory units
Biochemistry
10 credits
Cell biology
10 credits
Core skills for bioscience
10 credits
Genetics
10 credits
Introduction to biological chemistry
10 credits
Practical research skills in biochemistry and biomedical sciences
10 credits
Year 2
Compulsory units
Advanced skills for bioscience
10 credits
Cell signalling
10 credits
Molecular biochemistry
10 credits
Protein structure and analysis
10 credits
Options
Year 2 Options
20 credits
Year 3
Compulsory units
Protein synthesis, folding, structure-function and turnover
10 credits
Options
Final Year Options
50 credits
Learning and assessment
You’ll be taught and assessed by a variety of methods and it will vary between units. These methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding of the subject.
Learning
Assessment
Learning and teaching
Contact hours
Timetabled contact hours, which may be made up of lectures, seminars, tutorials and laboratory classes, vary throughout your course and between courses but are typically between 10 and 18 hours a week in your first year.
Independent learning
In addition to timetabled contact hours, you are expected to undertake independent learning and assessment activities. Typically, this might be around 17 – 30 hours per week in your first year, and include individual research, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, preparing course working assignments, presentations, or revising for exams. After your first year, the emphasis on independent learning becomes greater, for example in a final year project.
Assessment breakdown
You will be assessed by a range of methods designed to develop and test your skills and knowledge. These will include examinations, essays, reports, data analysis and presentations. Around 30 to 50% of your degree result will be assessed through examination and around 50 to 70% will be assessed through coursework, depending upon which optional units you take in Years 2 and 3.
The balance of assessment methods will vary throughout your degree and depending upon which options you undertake. In your final year you will be expected to complete a project. You will primarily be assessed as an individual but may also be assessed as part of a group.
We can make reasonable adjustments to assessment procedures for students with disabilities, take a look at our Disability Service’s pages for information.
Recognition of professional qualifications
As well as being recognised as a higher academic qualification, a number of our degrees are also accredited by professional bodies in the United Kingdom. An accredited degree may entitle you to work in a specific profession within the UK, and abroad (where there are reciprocating arrangements with professional bodies in other countries).
The requirements to practise a profession vary from country to country. If you wish to practise your profession outside the United Kingdom, you are advised to confirm that the UK professional qualification you seek is valid in the country in which you are intending to work.
The United Kingdom currently subscribes to The Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications (MRPQ) Directive. The MRPQ Directive provides a reciprocal framework of rules which enables European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals to have their professional qualifications recognised in a state other than the one in which the qualification was obtained. In the event of a no deal Brexit, from 1 January 2021, the MRPQ Directive will no longer apply to the UK. However, it is anticipated that there will be a new system for recognising professional qualifications between the UK, EEA, and Switzerland.
