BSc Biological Sciences (Including Foundation Year) - Biological Sciences Degree

Program Overview

The BSc Biological Sciences (including foundation year) at Essex University is a four-year program that provides a comprehensive understanding of biology, from molecules to ecosystems. Students can customize their degree with various pathways, including molecular and cell biology, biotechnology, and ecology and conservation biology. Graduates are equipped with analytical and computational skills in high demand in industries such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and environmental conservation.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The BSc Biological Sciences (including foundation year) is a four-year course that includes a foundation year (known as Year Zero) which is delivered by the Essex Pathways Department, followed by a further three years of study in the School of Life Sciences. During Year Zero, students study three academic subjects relevant to their chosen course as well as a compulsory academic skills module, with additional English language for non-English speakers. After successful completion of Year Zero, students progress to complete their course with the School of Life Sciences. In their three years with the School of Life Sciences, students will cover the breadth of biology from molecules and cells, to whole organisms and ecosystems. They'll discover how new developments in technology are driving current research, with research-based teaching delivered by leading scientists investigating global biological challenges. The vast and diverse world of living organisms offers a huge range of opportunities for study and work, and at Essex we give you the flexibility to shape your degree to suit your interests. Your first year with the School of Life Sciences offers broad insights into cell and molecular biology, genetics, ecology and evolution, as well as an overview of animal, plant, and microorganism diversity. Our Integrative Biology pathway allows you to choose from a broad selection of modules across different disciplines. Alternatively, you can customise your degree to specialise in an area you enjoy most, choosing from either Molecular and Cell Biology, Biotechnology, or Ecology and Conservation Biology.

Outline:

Year 0

• Introduction to Biology
• Chemistry for Biology
• Mathematics and Statistics for Sciences
• Research and Academic Development Skills

Year 1

• Quantitative methods for Life Sciences
• Molecular Cell Biology
• Genetics and Evolution
• Animal Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour
• Microbiology
• Plant Biology and Ecosystems

Year 2

• Transferable Skills in Life Sciences
• Option from list (15 credits)
• Option(s) from list (30 credits)
• Option(s) from list (30 credits)
• Option from list (15 credits)

Year 3

• Estuarine and Coastal Ecology Field Module (Assessed in Following Year)
• Research Project in Life Sciences
• Option from list (15 credits)
• Option(s) from list (30 credits)
• Option(s) from list (30 credits)

Assessment:

Degrees are awarded on the results of written examinations together with continual assessments of practical work and coursework.

Teaching:

Undergraduate students in the School of Life Sciences typically attend two or three hours of lectures per week per module, plus two or three laboratory practices per module.

Careers:

Demand for qualified biologists continues to grow and our course will equip you with the analytical and computational skills that are in high demand by employers. Recent graduates have gone on to work in a range of different careers in organisations which include GlaxoSmithKline, the Sainsbury Laboratory (University of Cambridge), ALS Laboratories, the NHS, Suffolk County Council, Essex Wildlife Trust and Natural England. Others have chosen to enhance their career opportunities by studying for MSc, MSD (Masters of Research) or PhD degrees.

Other:

• We're ranked 23rd in the UK for Biology in The Guardian University Guide 2024.
• We are ranked 10th for biosciences for overall positivity score (National Student Survey 2023, English Broad Discipline Institutions).
• Our expert staff Our Essex Pathways Department is a gateway to the University of Essex, helping students without standard entry requirements to grow in confidence, unlock their potential, and nurture their ambitions so they can progress in academic study.
• The research undertaken in our School of Life Sciences covers a wide spectrum of biology – from the cell right through to communities and ecosystems.
• Key academic staff for this course include Dr Alex Dumbrell, who specialises in ecology and biodiversity, Dr Tracy Lawson, who researches stomata, using chlorophyll and thermal imaging to measure plant productivity, and Dr Phil Reeves, who works on the molecular mechanism of vision loss.
• The course director for BSc Biological Sciences is Dr Martin Wilkes, who is an ecologist with an industry background in data science, and is interested in data-driven explanations and predictions of biodiversity change.
Depending on your choice of pathway and research project you have the opportunity to use these facilities, which include:
• Receive training in your first year on using the Oxford Nanopore MinION, a portable handheld device that can sequence genomes in real time
• A high performance computing cluster with 368 CPUs, 5.4Tb of RAM and 700Tb of storage for analyses of large biological data sets
• An advanced bioimaging suite to visualise and process images of biological processes in real time
• An X-ray Crystallography and Macromolecular Interactions facilities for the biophysical characterisation of proteins and other macromolecules
• Fully automated laboratories with robotic liquid handling systems and equipment for cell culture, molecular biology and gene editing
• A fleet of remote-sensing drones for carrying out remote field surveys
• Aquariums, mesocosms and other facilities for ecology and behaviour studies

Home/UK fee £9,250 per year International fee £19,500 per year Fees will increase for each academic year of study.