BSc Biological Sciences with Professional Experience

Program Overview

This BSc Biological Sciences with Professional Experience degree allows you to customize your studies and gain practical industry experience through a year-long work placement. Guided by expert faculty, you'll delve into environmental biology or biomedical subjects, developing skills in laboratory techniques, field research, and data analysis. The program emphasizes transferable skills and is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, preparing you for roles in various industries or further study.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This BSc Biological Sciences with Professional Experience course enables you to develop your knowledge of biology around your specific interests, whilst gaining valuable industry experience. The majority of modules on this course are optional, giving you the opportunity to cover a broad range of topics or specialise in a particular area such as ecology and wildlife or human biology. Your third year will consist of a work placement, which you can choose based on your career goals. You will be taught by experts in their fields and have access to a range of research facilities. 98% of students in the School of Biological Sciences said our teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things (National Student Survey, 2023). Within environmental biology options you will develop an understanding of ecology, conservation biology and humankind's impact on biodiversity. The University of Reading’s award-winning campus is home to over 1,000 different animal species and is extremely useful for learning fieldwork skills. It also features the Cole Museum of Zoology and a herbarium, which house vast collections and offer volunteering opportunities. Additionally, you will have the chance to apply your scientific knowledge to a range of other habitats through our optional field courses. These normally last around two weeks and take place in locations such as Devon, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, Iceland, Spain and Colombia. Within biomedical subjects you will develop an understanding of human physiology and the basis of disease. The course has a strong practical element, and you will gain valuable experience of laboratory work and learn key molecular genetic and cell biology techniques. During your final year will have the chance to spend 11 weeks working on an original research project using cutting edge facilities and equipment. Previous topics include gene therapy of muscular dystrophy, emerging viral infections, the regulation of the stress response, stem cell biology, the spread of cancer and the control of blood clotting. Our £60m Health and Life Sciences building is the home of the School of Biological Sciences. It offers state-of-the-art research and teaching laboratories, seminar rooms, and plenty of study and social space, including a café. The building also houses the Cole Museum of Zoology. The collection, featuring over 3,500 natural history specimens, provides a fantastic resource for biological scientists and the wider community.

Outline:

Year 1

• Cellular and Molecular Principles of Life
• Fundamentals of Microbiology
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Fundamentals of Evolution
• History of Life on Earth

Year 2

• Advanced Studies in Cellular and Molecular Biology
• Research and Professional Skills
• Optional modules (choose from a range of topics)

Year 3

• Professional placement year

Year 4

• Research Project

Teaching:

You will be taught by experts in their fields and have access to a range of research facilities. 98% of students in the School of Biological Sciences said our teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things (National Student Survey, 2023).

Careers:

During the course, emphasis is placed on developing transferable skills such as computer literacy, information retrieval, data handling and communication skills. This programme has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) following an independent and rigorous assessment. Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and establish a profile of key skills that bioscience employers can recognise in accredited graduates, including technical and transferable skills. You could find employment in a wide range of roles across sectors including healthcare, agriculture, commercial manufacturing, environmental management and publishing. You may also decide to take up a research career or move into further study.

New UK/Republic of Ireland students:

£9,250

New international students:

£27,650