Why study this course?
Our Natural Sciences (Biology) (including foundation year) BSc (Hons) will provide you with a thorough introduction to the study of science, giving you the skills you’ll need to study natural sciences, and particularly biology, at undergraduate level.
The degree is ideal if you can’t meet the entry requirements for a standard undergraduate degree or if you’re looking to build your confidence in scientific theory and techniques before going on to more in-depth study of biology and natural sciences later in your degree.
More about this course
The foundation year on our four-year Natural Sciences (Biology) (including foundation year) will introduce you to key concepts in biology and provide you with the basic mathematical knowledge, scientific understanding and laboratory techniques that you’ll need to succeed when studying a science-based subject at undergraduate level.
As well as being designed to develop vital scientific skills, the foundation year will also allow you to progress into your subsequent years of study with confidence, as you’ll also be introduced to ways of improving your time management, writing and study skills.
Following your foundation year, you will focus more heavily on natural sciences and biology, studying the same course content and having the same choice of modules as those who study the Natural Sciences (Biology) BSc (Hons) degree.
This course shares its foundation year with a number of our other foundation year degrees, allowing you to share ideas across a wide range of scientific disciplines.
If, following your foundation year, you decide that you’d like to specialise in a different science-related subject, there is some flexibility to allow you to do this.
On graduation, you will be awarded a full undergraduate degree with the same title and award as those who studied the traditional three-year course.
Assessment
Assessments will include practical reports, posters, presentations, essays, short-answer tests and examinations.
Accreditation of Prior Learning
Any university-level qualifications or relevant experience you gain prior to starting university could count towards your course.
to help you build your confidence and reach the level of English you require.
Modular structure
The modules listed below are for the academic year 2022/23 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.
Year 0 modules include:
Biochemistry (core, 15 credits)
Biology (core, 30 credits)
Chemistry (core, 30 credits)
Foundation Year Project (CPS) (core, 15 credits)
Scientific Studies (core, 30 credits)
Year 1 modules include:
Biochemistry for Life Sciences (core, 15 credits)
Cell Biology (for Life Sciences) (core, 15 credits)
Fundamental Chemical Concepts (core, 15 credits)
Fundamentals of Molecular Biology (for Life Sciences) (core, 15 credits)
General Chemistry (core, 15 credits)
Introduction to Laboratory Skills (core, 15 credits)
Key Principles in Chemistry (core, 15 credits)
Laboratory Techniques with Data Handling (core, 15 credits)
Year 2 modules include:
Kinetics and Surface Chemistry (core, 15 credits)
Molecular Biology (core, 15 credits)
Quantitative Analysis (core, 15 credits)
Spectroscopic Methods (core, 15 credits)
Coordination and solution chemistry of d and f block complexes (option, 15 credits)
Ethics for Science (option, 15 credits)
Human Immunity (option, 15 credits)
Metabolism (option, 15 credits)
Microbiology (option, 15 credits)
Principles of Pharmaceutical Science and Drug Delivery (option, 15 credits)
Solid State and Organometallic Chemistry (option, 15 credits)
Thermodynamics and Electrochemistry (option, 15 credits)
Year 3 modules include:
Project (alternative core, 30 credits)
Research Project (alternative core, 30 credits)
Advanced Bioanalytical Science (option, 15 credits)
Advanced Inorganic Techniques (option, 15 credits)
Advanced Physical Chemistry (option, 15 credits)
Biochemical Pathology (option, 15 credits)
Bioinformatics & Molecular Modelling (option, 15 credits)
Clinical Biochemistry (option, 15 credits)
Formulations and Quality Assurance of Solids and Semi-solids (option, 15 credits)
Fundamentals of Biotechnology (option, 15 credits)
Genomics (option, 15 credits)
Topics in Inorganic Chemistry (option, 15 credits)
Toxicology (option, 15 credits)
Virology (option, 15 credits)
Work Placement (for Life Sciences) (option, 15 credits)
Where this course can take you
A degree in science can lead to a wide range of hugely rewarding careers, with opportunities to work in biological research, public health laboratories and hospitals, as well as a wide range of other industries.
What is a degree with foundation year?
This is a four-year degree course with a built-in foundation year (Year 0). It’s the perfect route into university if you don’t meet the necessary entry requirements for the standard undergraduate degree. You’ll graduate with a full undergraduate degree with the same title and award as those who studied the three-year course.
