Biological Sciences

Why study Biological Sciences at Dundee?

The huge breadth of biology offers a corresponding wealth of opportunities for students who choose to study it to follow many paths through to a final degree.

Biological sciences is the growth industry of the 21st century, with increasing capacity for humans to intervene in, control and perhaps repair defective biological systems. Genetic manipulation of plants and animals, in particular, offers enormous possibilities for improving our lives but, at the same time, there are inherent dangers present in the unthinking application of these techniques. The next generation of professional biologists will have to play an important role, not only in the continued development of such methods, but also in deciding how they can be responsibly and safely applied.

Our relationship with the rest of the natural world is one which has been established over many hundreds of millions of years, and the early modules of the biological sciences programme have a strong evolutionary theme. They emphasise the fact that it is impossible to understand any aspect of biology unless you have a clear understanding of its most important general theory – evolution by natural selection.

What's so good about Biological Sciences at Dundee?

Flexible pathways

The Biological Sciences degree gives you the opportunity to study a wide range of different aspects of the life sciences, or to delay your subject specialisation until you have gained experience of a variety of different subject areas.

You can choose either to specialise later in your studies and study for a more specifically named degree (see related courses below), or if you wish to maintain a broad learning experience, you can graduate in Biological Sciences.

Lab work and field work

Throughout the programme there is an emphasis on laboratory teaching, and students are encouraged to see the blending of field and laboratory based research as essential to the training of a properly rounded biological scientist.

Students on the Biological Sciences degree programme participate with all our students in a number of field visits that take advantage of our unique proximity to an unrivalled variety of natural habitats, from sandy shores to mountain tops.

The programme of Honours research projects benefits from our links with outside bodies such as the Scottish Crop Research Institute and the Game Conservancy Trust.

Study abroad

There are also opportunities to study abroad, for example on the Transatlantic Student Exchange Scheme.

Teaching & Assessment

This course is taught by staff based in the College of Life Sciences.

Programme progression

The Biological Sciences degree is a broad-based programme which allows you to combine a wider range of subjects than a single Honours degree.

If you choose to leave at the end of Level 3 with a non-Honours degree, you will graduate with a BSc Ordinary degree in Biological Sciences that reflects the breadth of subjects you studied at Level 3, as well as the core knowledge and skills gained throughout your degree programme.

If you are aiming for an Honours degree it is likely that this will be in a single named subject e.g. BSc (Hons) Biochemistry.

However, there are also options to study a combination of two main subjects at Levels 3 and 4, e.g. biochemistry and pharmacology, and graduate with a BSc Honours degree that reflects your subject choice e.g. BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences (Biochemistry and Pharmacology).

Careers

Statistics for recent years show us that our graduates find employment in a very wide variety of destinations. Perhaps most importantly, our graduates consistently figure close to the top of national league tables of graduate employment in life sciences.

Examples of recent employment destinations for Dundee life sciences graduates include government research institutes, teaching and research in universities, teaching in primary and secondary schools, the pharmaceutical and food industries, and conservation bodies.

Postgraduate Study

Some of our students proceed to higher degrees (MSc or PhD) and go on to undertake or supervise original research.

We offer a number of Masters level courses in addition to PhD research opportunities in the College of Life Sciences.

Entry Requirements

These are minimum indicative entry requirements, not a guaranteed entry level. You will get an individual offer from us following our review of your application. Please note qualifications have to be obtained at the first sitting of examinations.

Courses starting September 2013

Your application for entry will be judged based on the highest level qualifications you have or are taking, e.g. students offering A-Levels or Scottish Baccalaureate will be made an offer based on entry to the 3 year Honours degree as this offers the best academic progression.

4 year Honours degree (Level 1 / SCQF 7 entry)

Qualification	Grade
SQA Higher	ABBB
GCE A-Level	not available
ILC Higher	ABBB
IB Diploma	30 points (including 5, 5, 5 at Higher Level)
Essential Subjects	Biology and Chemistry (Higher, ILC Higher, IB Higher Level) Mathematics (Standard Grade at 3, Intermediate 2 at C, GCSE at C, ILC Ordinary Level at C or IB Subsidiary Level at 4)
EU & International	Visit our EU and International webpages for entry requirements tailored to your home country

3 year Honours degree (Level 2 / SCQF 8 entry)

Qualification	Grade
SQA Advanced Higher	AB (AH) + BB (H) in other subjects
GCE A-Level	ABB
IB Diploma	34 points (including 6, 6, 5 at Higher Level)
Essential Subjects	Biology and Chemistry (AH or A-Level or IB Higher level). Mathematics (Standard Grade at 3, Intermediate 2 at C, GCSE at C, or IB Subsidiary Level at 4)

Other Qualifications

Qualification	Grade
SQA	A relevant HNC with grade A in the graded unit with appropriate Science units, and 120 SCQF credits (Level 1 entry) A relevant HND with grade AA in the graded units with appropriate Science units (Level 2 entry)
Scottish Baccalaureate	Distinction with AB at AH Biology and Chemistry. Mathematics at SG (grade 3) or Intermediate 2 (grade C) (Level 2 entry)
SWAP Access to Science Programmes	Relevant science subjects with AAA grades to include Chemistry and Biology/Human Biology at SCQF Level 6 (Level 1 entry)
EDEXCEL	A relevant BTEC Extended Diploma with DDM (Level 1 entry) A relevant HND with Merits in appropriate Science modules (Level 2 entry)
Advanced Diploma	Grade A with ASL-A Level Biology and Chemistry at AB. Mathematics at GCSE C (Level 2 entry)
Welsh Baccalaureate	Pass with A-Levels in Biology and Chemistry at AB. Mathematics at GCSE grade C (Level 2 entry)
Applicants with alternative overseas qualifications should visit the relevant country page on our International website.

Fees and Funding

There have been many changes to the arrangements for funding students entering higher education in recent years, yet a degree from the University of Dundee, with its high rate of employment success, remains a cost-effective option.

The fees you pay will, in most cases, depend on your current country of residence.

Fee category	Fees for students starting September 2012	Scholarships & Bursaries applicable
Scottish students	£1,820 per year of study. You can apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish government.	School Academic Scholarships Other Scholarships
Students from the rest of the UK	£9,000 per year, for a maximum of 3 years, even if you are studying a four year degree. You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of the tuition fees, from the Student Loan Company.	University of Dundee Bursaries School Academic Scholarships Other Scholarships
EU students	£1,820 per year of study. You can apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish government.	Other Scholarships
Overseas students (non-EU)	£10,500 per year.	Sir James Black Scholarship Other Scholarships

The fee shown is annual, and may be subject to an increase each year.

Living Costs

• Dundee is ranked as one of the most affordable places for students to live in the UK, and the cost of living is around 15% cheaper than the UK average.
• Increasing numbers of students are successfully undertaking part-time work to supplement their income. You can get advice from our Careers Service, both about job opportunities and how to find a suitable study/work/life balance. EU and international students are also allowed to work up to 20 hours per week.
• As a student in Scotland, you have free access to the National Health Service. Visits to doctors and hospitals, as well as prescriptions, sight tests and dental checkups, are available free of charge.

Your Application

All applications must be made through UCAS

UCAS Codes

Institution Code: D65

Degree	UCAS Codes	KIS data
BSc Biological Sciences	C100	View KIS data for this course

UCAS Application Process

International Applicants

We have information specifically for international applicants on our International website:

• Your Home Country - including information about qualifications from individual countries
• Fees and Funding
• English Language Requirements
• International Student Support

What skills, qualities and experience do I need?

Your personal statement should demonstrate an interest in the subject you are applying for and a commitment to the study of that subject. How did your interest in the subject arise, and do you have a particular career path in mind?

You should comment on your participation in both school/college/work and extracurricular activities and on the extent to which they have aided in your personal development and the acquisition of skills that will be of value to you as a life sciences student.

• Do you have an enquiring mind?
• Do you have good analytical skills and problem-solving ability?
• Are you self-motivated and able to work independently?
• Are you a good team player?
• Do you have good communication skills?

If you are planning a gap year, comment on the intended activity and the benefits that you think you are likely to gain from the experience.

Tips for your application

Give careful consideration to both the style and content of your personal statement as it can be an indicator of your ability to communicate as well as providing an account of your personal achievements and skills.

Advanced Entry Honours Degree

It is possible to study for most of our honours degrees in 3 years if you have the required grades and subjects as listed in the Entry Requirements section. There are definite advantages to considering this route as the time needed to study is reduced by one year which enables you to start working and earning earlier.

Any questions?

If you have any further questions about the application process, please contact: