Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Biological Sciences (with Foundation Year)

This course is offered as a degree with foundation year -  a four-year programme which provides an additional foundation year at the beginning of the degree, that will give students academic and practical experience, as well as the skills they need to ensure they are equipped to successfully complete their chosen degree.

During the foundation year:

• Students will complete core modules in English and Mathematics, as well as an extended project which will develop their skills in carrying out research, using scholarly sources, drawing comparisons between their own research and that of others and documenting their findings.
• Students will study two modules in Life Sciences which will give them the opportunity to explore methods of scientific thinking and reasoning in an enquiry-based way.
• Students will also be introduced to key concepts in human physiology that are common cornerstones of the different degree programmes.
• There is also a Disciplinary Investigation module where students will demonstrate the ability to utilise the academic and subject-specific toolkit acquired through previous modules to manage their own learning, and in partnership with their tutors, negotiate, plan and carry out an investigation into the chosen topic.

On this fascinating BSc, students will delve into the very essence of life and living organisms and will develop their skills and understanding right across the biological disciplines, from core aspects of animal and plant biology via the diversity and evolution of life, right to cutting edge developments within the fields of biotechnology, climate change, antimicrobial resistance and molecular ecology. 

This degree provides opportunities for students to work in the University of Roehampton's state-of-the-art laboratories, participate in field trips in the UK and abroad, and conduct their own research project. The University of Roehampton offers exciting modules such as Chemistry of Life, where students will work in the lab to study the structure, evolution and biochemistry of the cell; Comparative Zoology, where students will learn about vertebrate anatomy, physiology and development; and The Brain in Health and Disease, where students will gain valuable insight into neurobiology and the very latest developments in brain research. 

Students will begin their degree by exploring the key areas of biology, including cell biology, ecology, evolution, and the diversity and details of the major animal and plant groups. Students will learn about biochemistry and the physiology of their own bodies and contrast them with other species, as well as develop analytical skills to assess laboratory and field data. 

In the second year, students will be able to focus on the key areas that interest them, choosing what to study from a broad range of modules which include diverse topics such as ecology, evolutionary biology, animal behaviour, molecular biology, physiology and immunology. Students will also be able to go on a residential field course in rural Wales, and immersing themselves in field and lab data collection. 

In third year, students will specialise further, and select modules from any area of biology as well as complete an independent research project where they will collect seminal data on a topic of their choice, advancing current knowledge in that area. 

Students also have the option of undertaking a one-year paid work placement between years 2 and three, giving them the perfect opportunity to gain valuable work experience and skills within an industry or sector of choice. 

Overall, students will gain highly transferable skills allowing them to pursue careers across Life and Health Sciences and beyond.