You will learn the essential concepts and skills that form the backbone of a degree in biological sciences. Through theory and practical sessions, this module will guide you through every level of biological organisation, from the smallest cellular structures to an introduction to animal behaviour and ecology. Throughout this module, you will develop academic, practical, and analytical skills that will support your studies and career development.

You will explore the fundamentals of scientific research, including how to develop research questions, work with relevant literature, understand basic statistical concepts and communicate research findings. Key biological topics, such as advanced physiology and genetics, will be covered, emphasising the connection between theory and practical, hands-on experience.

You will then focus on topics specific to your course. If you have chosen to study Animal Behaviour, Animal Welfare Science, Marine Biology or Zoology, you will develop your knowledge and practical laboratory and field skills in topics such as behaviour, husbandry, training applications and field techniques. If you have chosen to study Biology, Bioveterinary Science or Forensic Biology, you will develop your knowledge and practical laboratory skills in topics such as metabolism, microbiology and immunology. 

This module aims to help you develop an understanding of animal husbandry and the role it plays in maintaining good animal health, welfare, and production. You will explore the ethical and social impacts of animal use across different systems and consider how we can monitor welfare including legal frameworks and welfare standards. Additionally, you will develop and enhance your knowledge of animal housing; animal nutrition, including basic nutrition calculations; animal reproduction; and disease management, including an introduction to the concepts of pathogenesis, epidemiology, disease monitoring and surveillance, and preventative healthcare. You will be encouraged to integrate knowledge across these topics and consider strategies to maximise welfare, health and production. Overall, this module will equip you with the knowledge of animal husbandry and welfare required to improve animal health.

This module aims to provide you with the opportunity to gain further practical skills and develop your own projects. You will explore various experimental methods through subject-specific workshops in the laboratory. Working in groups, you will apply these skills and your previous training in formulating research questions, to conduct your own study. In doing so you will need to consider ethical factors and practical constraints where relevant. At the end of the module, you will be able to present your findings as a group, showcasing your ability to conduct an experiment and communicate results effectively. 

A range of optional language modules are also available for students in place of the project-based learning in Biosciences module.

These modules will help you develop both oral and written communication skills in your chosen language through engagement with a range of material covering cultural, personal and social topics. Modules are available at different levels depending on your prior experience (e.g. no experience, prior GCSE qualification, or prior A-Level qualification). Languages offered may include Chinese, French, German and Spanish. 

Further details on the language module options can be found here.