Program Overview
ARU's Biology degree offers a comprehensive understanding of life from molecules to ecosystems, with a focus on practical skills, sustainability, and industry collaborations. Students can tailor their studies to their interests in areas like genetics, ecology, and bioinformatics, preparing them for careers in bioscience, healthcare, environmental conservation, and research.
Program Outline
Biology, the science of life, is a varied and exciting discipline from the molecular to whole organisms and entire ecosystems. Bring the world of work to life through Live Briefs; designed and developed with regional employers to give you exposure to ‘real world’ problem-solving. Focus on practical skills, including a strong foundation in laboratory, data science, bioinformatic, and field skills. Tailor your degree to your ambitions and interests by choosing from a wide range of specialisms, all with a central underpinning of sustainability. Study in Cambridge, the centre of new and emerging technologies in the life sciences, especially in biological data science and bioinformatics, and take advantage of a wealth of local opportunities. Learn from Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold standard, research-active staff, who keep course content fully up-to-date with recent findings across a whole range of fields. Biology is the study of life. Life on earth is fascinating, astonishing, diverse and beautiful, and the course aims to provide you with a broad knowledge of the wide variety of living organisms. Your knowledge will encompass how organisms evolve, their physiology, and how they function within the environment. However, all life is currently under threat; with man-made (anthropogenic) change affecting the earth and all its systems. This degree in Biology offers a multidisciplinary approach, preparing you to evaluate aspects of all life on earth, and provide solutions to ensure a sustainable future. You'll have the opportunity to select pathways within the course aligned to your specific interests, including but not limited to: Cell/molecular/laboratory Genetics/evolution/bioinformatics Plants/microbes/biotechnology Whole organisms (animals/humans)/environment/field skills You'll have the opportunity to engage with field trips in the local area and further afield. Additional self-funded field trips are also available.
Outline:
Year 1
In the first year of this course, you’ll study the structure and function of the building blocks of life, from molecules to cells to organisms, in viruses, bacteria, fungi, plants and animals (including humans). We shall also introduce you to the basic concepts of ecology, and sustainability, centred on the principles of balancing the environment, society, and economy, which underpin much of the teaching throughout this course. You’ll also learn the core mathematical and statistical methods you need to succeed as a scientist, and how to work safely, competently and effectively in the lab. Modules are subject to change and availability. Throughout the course, we’ll use a range of assessment methods to measure your progress. Besides exams, these include essays, practical reports, computer-based assessments, presentations, debates, classroom- or laboratory-based tests, and reviews of scientific papers.
Core modules
Principles of Biology (30 credits) Quantitative Techniques and Tools for Biologists (30 credits) Introduction to Genetics and Genomics Physiology of Organisms Ecology and Sustainability Continuing Professional Development
Year 2
In your second year, you’ll have the option to focus in on your preferred kingdoms of life for further study, such as plants and microbes, invertebrates, and vertebrates. You'll also be able to choose whether to specialise in lab-based, bioinformatics (data science) or field-based skills, although you will continue to be exposed to the wide range of skills in all of these areas. You'll develop a greater appreciation of the systems within which life exists, the interconnectivity of life, and the applications of different aspects of biological sciences in a wide range of fields. You'll also develop a research proposal for your final year project, working with a supervisor of your choice on a project based on their field of research. These give you the opportunity to work with students from different courses to come up with creative solutions to complex problems and key challenges facing society. Modules are subject to change and availability. Throughout the course, we’ll use a range of assessment methods to measure your progress. Besides exams, these include essays, practical reports, computer-based assessments, presentations, debates, classroom- or laboratory-based tests, and reviews of scientific papers.
Core modules
Principles of Genetics (15 credits) Ruskin Module (15 credits) Preparation for Research (15 credits) Continuing Professional Development
Optional modules
Vertebrate Biology (15 credits) Invertebrate Biology (15 credits) Plants and Microbial Sciences Laboratory Techniques for Bioinformatics (15 credits) Field Skills in Biology (15 credits) Animal Health and Disease (15 credits) GIS and Spatial Ecology (15 credits) Proteomics and Molecular Structures
Year 3
In your final year, continuing in your chosen pathway, you’ll apply the biological knowledge and skills you have acquired to meet the challenges posed by the need for a sustainable future. These will include an evaluation of cutting-edge science and technologies in your chosen areas, whether that be evolution and biodiversity, systems biology, cell biology, ecophysiology, biogeography, pathogens, and other emerging topics such as big data, AI, machine learning and bioinformatics. You’ll also study the impact of policy, internationalisation and economics on sustainability so that you can understand the driving forces behind decisions made by governments and the constraints within which we all need to work. You’ll conduct your independent piece of research in a project supervised by one of your lecturers. This is your capstone assessment and will personalise your degree, and train you to think like a scientist, ready to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world. Modules are subject to change and availability. Throughout the course, we’ll use a range of assessment methods to measure your progress. Besides exams, these include essays, practical reports, computer-based assessments, presentations, debates, classroom- or laboratory-based tests, and reviews of scientific papers.
Core modules
Undergraduate Project (30 credits) Developmental Biology and Genetics (15 credits) Policy, Globalisation, and Economics of Sustainability
Optional modules
Biogeography (15 credits) Comparative Ecophysiology (15 credits) Human-Animal Interactions (15 credits) Microbial Pathogenicity (15 credits) Molecular Cell Biology (15 credits) Current Advances in Bioinformatics Current Advances in Plant and Microbial Sciences Current Advances in Evolution and Biodiversity (15 credits) Systems Biology
Assessment:
Throughout the course, we’ll use a range of assessment methods to measure your progress. The number of contact hours varies course by course, and you can contact us for further information.
Careers:
Our Biology course offers a large range of potential graduate avenues, across many areas of cutting-edge science, such as: Bioscience, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and healthcare industries Bioinformatics Commerce (sales and marketing) related to healthcare, agricultural, environmental sustainability products Data analysis/science Education: university, college and school teaching Environmental and conservation projects Quality control, food production, food industry and food safety Government departments and the civil service Government or charity-funded research laboratories and institutes Research and development for agri-environment industries Research laboratories in universities Science communication and public engagement Science policy Ecology These all give you an edge, providing you with experience that you will be able to evidence on your CV and talk about in interviews. You’ll
UK Students (2024/25)
- £9,250 per year (full-time)
International Students (2024/25)
- £16,700 per year (full-time)
Payment options for international students:
- Upfront payment in full
- Payment in two installments
- Deposit of £4,000 or a sponsorship letter is required
