Biology at ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ

Biology

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About the Pathway

Choose from modules in Biology, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Ecology and Conservation, and Microbiology and Medicine. For more information, please read our guide on how Pathways work.

The following modules are for entry year 2025.

Biology

You will study organisms and the environment, and how human activities can change them. Biological mechanisms relate to the environmental challenges of the 21st century. These include environmental pollution, sustainability and conservation.

*Please note: some field courses will incur additional costs and are subject to availability

Year OneYear TwoYear Three
Core modules Core modules Core modules
Aquatic Ecology Environment Physiology Animal Behaviour
Evolutionary Biology Evolution Optional modules
Global Change Biology Optional modules Coral Reef Ecology
Marine and Estuarine Biology Experimental Design and Analysis Dissertation
Zoology Field Biology Dissertation with Work Placement
Optional modules Introduction to Eco-Innovation Environmental Plant Biology
Biodiversity and Conservation Populations to Ecosystems *Field Course in Kenya - Tropical Biology and Conservation
*Field Course in the Eden Project, Cornwall Research Design and Delivery *Field Course in the Scottish Highlands
*Field Course in the Spanish-Do?ana Vertebrate Biology Host-Parasite Interactions
(One of these modules may be taken in the place of either Aquatic Ecology or Marine and Estuarine Biology) Issues in Conservation Biology
Sustainable Agriculture

Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Genetics

Specific A Level Entry Requirements: Chemistry

Cellular biochemistry examines the macromolecular structure and the relationship of cellular organisation to the central pathways of intermediary metabolism and the physical processes underlying cellular functions. Cell biology covers the interactions within and between cells that allow them to perform their function in the whole organism. Genetics examines the mechanisms of heredity, moving through Mendelian genetics and its extensions to molecular genetics.

Year OneYear TwoYear Three
Core modules Optional modules Optional modules
Biotechnology Biochemical Techniques Biology of Ageing
Cell Structure and Function Biochemistry Cancer
Genetics Bioinformatics Cell Signalling
Molecules of Life Cell Biology Cell Signalling, Transport and Disease
Protein Biochemistry Cell Biology Techniques Genetics
DNA Technology Medical Genetics
Genetics Proteins: Structure, Function and Evolution

Ecology and Conservation

Interactions between organisms, the environment and humanity are often complex. You will receive a thorough grounding in ecological theory and how these biological principles relate to the conservation of wildlife and ecological habitats. The pathway also concerns the practice of ecology and has a strong fieldwork component designed to encourage you to develop your practical skills.

*Please note: some field courses will incur additional costs and may be subject to availability

Year OneYear TwoYear Three
Core modules Core modules Core modules
Aquatic Ecology Populations to Ecosystems Coral Reef Ecology
Biodiversity and Conservation Principles of Biodiversity Conservation Issues in Conservation Biology
Evolutionary Biology Optional modules Optional modules
Global Change Biology Environmental Physiology Animal Behaviour
Zoology Evolution Dissertation
Optional modules Experimental Design and Analysis Dissertation with Work Placement
*Field Course in the Eden Project, Cornwall Field Biology Environmental Plant Biology
*Field Course in the Spanish-Do?ana. Introduction to Eco-Innovation *Field Course in Kenya - Tropical Biology and Conservation
(One of these modules may be taken in place of Aquatic Ecology, Global Change Biology or Zoology) Research Design and Delivery *Field Course in the Scottish Highlands
Host-Parasite Interactions
Sustainable Agriculture

Microbiology and Medicine

This pathway contains a balanced mixture of biochemistry, microbiology and physiology. It attempts to demonstrate the relevance of microbiology to human affairs, whether the connection is direct, e.g. diseases of humans, or indirect, e.g. the control of diseases of food crops. Although some lectures deal specifically with one group of microbes, i.e. bacteria, fungi or protozoa, entire modules emphasise ecological and functional relationships between different groups of microbes.

Year OneYear TwoYear Three
Core modules Optional modules Optional modules
Anatomy and Tissue Structure Cell Biology Biology of Ageing
Hormones and Development Cell Biology Techniques Cancer
Human Physiology Genetics Cell Signalling
Impact of Microbes Medical Microbiology Cell Signalling, Transport and Disease
Infection and Immunity Microbiological Techniques Clinical Immunology
Environmental Pathogens
Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology

To study on any particular Pathway you must meet the entry requirements of that subject. ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and some which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.