Biology with Optional Placement Year
This is a full-time BSc (Hons) Biology with optional placement and the possibility of proceeding to complete an MBiolSci depending on academic performance. Biology is the study of living organisms from the molecular level to ecosystems. Our full-time undergraduate BSc Hons Biology course covers fundamental areas of biology with a focus upon the biomedical, molecular and environmental sciences.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor at UK Level 6 |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | |
| Awarding Body | Ulster University |
| NFQ Level |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor at UK Level 6 | Ulster University |
Duration
3 years.
Attendance
This is a three-year degree programme leading to the award of BSc Hons Biology, however, there is an optional one-year placement leading to a Diploma in Professional Practice (DPP) or a Diploma in International Academic Studies (DIAS) making a possible total of four years.
The BSc Hons Biology is a full-time course i.e. it requires eight hours of work every working day during each semester. Our students spend approximately 40% of study time at teaching sessions.
Entry Requirements
Irish Leaving Certificate
104 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at higher level) to include English and Maths at H6 if studied at Higher level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level.
Course Specific Subject requirements : To include one from Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Maths, Home Economics, PE, Geography. Chemistry or Biology is preferred.
Careers / Further progression
Career options
Graduates of this degree will be able to work in a range of establishments in areas of biological research, human communities and demographic studies, health laboratories, environmental related monitoring quality, survey, conservation or management, food, pharmaceuticals or agrochemical industries. A large number of our Biology graduates have obtained Masters and Doctoral degrees from this University and a variety of leading European and American Universities or completed a PGCE to become teachers of biology.
For more information on pursuing a career in Biology/Biosciences please see https://societyofbiology.org/careers-and-cpd/careers
Further information
Start date: September 2024
Deadlines for on-time applications
2024 entry application deadlines
For courses starting in 2024 (and for deferred applications), your application should be with us at UCAS by one of these dates – depending on what courses you apply for. If your completed application – including all your personal details and your academic reference – is submitted by the deadline, it is guaranteed to be considered.
16 October 2023 for 2024 entry at 18:00 (UK time) – any course at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, or for most courses in medicine, veterinary medicine/science, and dentistry. You can add choices with a different deadline later, but don’t forget you can only have five choices in total.
31 January 2024 for 2024 entry at 18:00 (UK time) – for the majority of courses.
Some course providers require additional admissions tests to be taken alongside the UCAS application, and these may have a deadline. Find out more about these tests at https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/admissions-tests
Check course information in the search tool to see which deadline applies to you at the application weblink below.
Apply as soon as possible: Student funding arrangements mean that as offers are made and places fill up, some courses may only have vacancies for students from certain locations. It’s therefore really important that you apply for your chosen courses by the appropriate deadlines mentioned above, as not all courses will have places for all students.
All applications received after 30 June are entered into Clearing - find out more about Clearing at https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/clearing-and-results-day/what-clearing
Overview
Full time BSc (Hons) Biology with optional placement and the possibility of proceeding to complete an MBiolSci depending on academic performance.
Summary
Biology is the study of living organisms from the molecular level to ecosystems. Our full-time undergraduate BSc Hons Biology course covers fundamental areas of biology with a focus upon the biomedical, molecular and environmental sciences. During the first year you will study fundamentals of biology such as biodiversity, plant and animal physiology, chemistry and biochemistry, as well as cell biology. In the first semester of your first year you will also receive tailor-made training in subject specific as well as transferable core skills in a small group teaching environment. In Year 2 you will study more specific biological science disciplines such as marine biology, genetics, microbiology and biotechnology, which will build upon knowledge acquired in first year but also underpin study in the final year. The final year is driven by the very strong research expertise and interests of the lecturing staff and provides an opportunity to carry out an extensive research project in a specific biological topic.
About this course
First year learning experience: We take particular care of our first year students during the transition period from school to university. This includes teaching in small groups in the first semester of the first year as well as a provision of additional support in numeracy, IT skills and chemistry.
Transfers between courses: The structure and content of the first year of the Biology course is designed in such a way as to allow our students to transfer between certain undergraduate courses offered in the School of Biomedical Sciences up to the end of Semester I of year 2 (subject to available places).
Modules
Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
Year 1
Biostatistics and Skills for Biologists
Human, Animal and Plant Physiology
Ecology & Biodiversity
Biochemistry
Medical Cell Biology
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Year 2
Biotechnology
Molecular Biology
Veterinary Biology
Professional Practice
Applied Genetics
Microbiology
Immunology
Year 3
Biology Placement - Diploma in Professional Practice - Optional
Diploma in International Academic Studies (DIAS) - Optional
Year 4
Current Biology
Natural Products
Investigative Project
Clinical Immunology & Medical Microbiology
Pharmacology and Evidence-Based Practice
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessments. This feedback may be issued individually and/or issued to the group and you will be encouraged to act on this feedback for your own development.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification, the assessment timetable and the assessment brief. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised. The module pass mark for undergraduate courses is 40%. The module pass mark for postgraduate courses is 50%.
Associate awards
Diploma in Professional Practice DPP
Diploma in International Academic Studies DIAS
Diploma in Professional Practice International DPPI
Work placement / study abroad
There is an optional one year placement leading to a Diploma in Professional Practice (DPP) for those undertaking their placement, for example in a research institute, in industry, or in the education sector. Alternatively students can undertake their placement in the form of a period of studies overseas and attain the Diploma in International Academic Studies (DIAS).
Ulster University,
Cromore Rd,
Coleraine
BT52 1SA
T: 02870 123 456