University of Hertfordshire - BSc (Hons) Biological Science

University of Hertfordshire

BSc (Hons) Biological Science

Interested in the biological phenomena of life? Intrigued by the functions of microorganisms, plants, human beings, and other animals? If your answer is ‘yes’, then we need you in the world of Biological Science. Gain the technical, analytical and practical skills for examining molecular and cellular processes present in all living organisms. You’ll learn biochemical, blood and microbial analyses in our modern £30m science building. You’ll also have exclusive access to IT rooms for bioinformatics. You’ll even have the chance to experience our broad, flexible range of optional modules before committing to the Biological Science pathway.     

You will explore many new areas in this degree. Rest assured, we are with you all the way. You will have the time of a personal tutor, who will support you in gaining subject-specific skills in scientific writing, data interpretation, and communication. Take advantage of peer support too in group workshops. Share your breakthroughs and discuss patient case studies. This programme is the stepping-stone into a wide range of scientific careers with plenty of transferable skills to enter broader fields like teaching or business.   

What's the course about?

You have 20 hours of contact time with lectures and workshops taking up about 6-10 hours per week.   

In your first year, you will gain a solid foundation in topics areas such as physiology, biochemistry, genetics, and cell biology in lectures, seminars, and tutorials. You will use your theory to build on your practical skills in a well-equipped, modern laboratory.   

In your second year you will start to specialise. You will choose from a range of modules from across our Biosciences courses so you can shape your leaning journey.   

Work placement/study abroad option: Between your second and final year, you’ll have the option to study abroad or do a work placement for up to a year. Not only will this give you an amazing experience to talk about but will also give your CV a boost. If you’d rather go straight to your final year, that’s absolutely fine too. 

In your final year you will find that you have grown to love certain topics that you just need to delve deeper into. You can select from all modules, whether this be disease, blood or medicine, and focus your major project or dissertation in this area.  

Throughout your degree, you will be assessed in a variety of ways. This will include exams, literature reviews, portfolios, lab reports, practical and presentations. Coursework assessments are generally 50-100% per module. You will also take part in a 15 -credit work experience, complete with a final portfolio. 

Entry Requirements

UCAS pointsA LevelBTEC
104-112

BCC-BBC: Including 2 science GCE A Levels (or equivalent) one of which must be a grade C in either biology or chemistry (acceptable A levels are Human Biology, Psychology, Geography, Maths, Physics,  ICT and Sports Studies).Pass required in A level science practical.

MMM-DMM: Extended Diploma in Applied Science (depending on optional units studied) with DMM profile.

GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language, 4/C in Mathematics and 4/C in Double Science or two Single Science grades at 4/C.

All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.

Career Prospects

Our Biosciences graduates are highly sought after by employers in the industry due to the reputation of our teaching, the vocational element to our degrees and the fact that many of our students already have a year's work experience when they graduate which they gain in the sandwich year. Graduates can find employment in the pharmaceutical, food and drink, agrochemical and biotechnology industries as well as in industrial, academic and charity funded research. Some graduates also go on to work in health care and environment agencies. First salaries range from £12,000 to £22,000 pa.

Typical job titles of recent graduates:

  • Trainee Biomedical Scientist,,
  • Clinical Trials Associate,
  • Drug Safety Coordinator,
  • Medical Representative,
  • Lab Scientist,
  • Microbiologist,
  • Research Assistant,
  • Tissue Culture Technologist,
  • Donor Transplant Assistant.

Typical employers of recent graduates:

  • Pfizer,
  • Denfleet Pharma Ltd,
  • Health Protection Agency,
  • GlaxoSmithKline,
  • AstraZeneca,
  • NHS Trusts
  • Lark Technology.

Our graduates are highly sought after. They find employment in the pharmaceutical, food and drink, agrochemical and biotechnology industries, as well as in industrial, academic and charity-funded research. Jobs include drug safety coordinator, lab scientist, microbiologist, research assistant and donor transplant assistant.

Course Details

Degree programmes are structured into levels, 4, 5 and 6.  These correspond to your first, second and third/final year of study.  Below you can see what modules you’ll be studying in each.    

Part-time study

If you are studying part-time you will have up to 7 years to complete your course from registration. You will complete 60 credits per year and the modules you will study each year will depend on how they fit together on the timetable.  For some modules, there are several sessions run for each workshop and practical.  As a part-time student you will be able to choose the slots that fit best with when you are at the University for other teaching sessions.

Year 1

Human physiology with pharmacology
Practical and transferable skills
Molecular biology and genetics
Core biochemistry
Cell and microbiology
Chemistry for biologists
Molecular structure and reactivity

Year 2

Bioscience research methods
Principles of immunology
Genes and genomes
Cell and molecular biology

Optional modules
Bioscience Work experience
Microbiology of disease
Cytology and histopathology
Blood sciences
Biology of disease
Pharmacology
Biochemistry
Biochemistry for pharmacology
Chemistry and analytical science

Year 3

Project

Optional modules
Clinical microbiology
Year abroad: bioscience
Sandwich placement; bioscience
Applied and integrated pharmacological science
Neurobiology and disease
Translation of science into medicine
Molecular medicine
Cell differentiation and development
Applied and integrated molecular science
Clinical biochemistry and immunology
Cellular and molecular pathology
Applied and integrated biomedical science
Therapeutic pharmacology
Advanced biochemistry
Advanced biochemistry

*The information’s are correct at the time of publishing, however it may change if university makes any changes after we have published the information. While we try our best to provide correct information, It is advisable to call us or visit university website for up to date information.

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