“By creating we think, by living we learn” Patrick Geddes
| Degrees available: |
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| Academic School: | College of Life Sciences, School of Learning and Teaching |
| How to apply: | Apply through UCAS |
| Institution Code: | D65 |
Biologists are currently working on problems that critically affect our lives such as cancer, AIDS and other diseases, biological control of pests, bioremediation of polluted environments, increased food production, biodiversity, conservation biology and global warming. This knowledge is fundamental to effective management of the world's resources in such a way that we can improve our health and the quality of our lives and those of future generations.
The Biology degree provides a broadly-based and very flexible programme of study for those students who wish to study a wide range of different aspects of the life sciences, ranging from molecular and cellular to environmental biology, or who wish to delay their subject specialisation until they have gained experience of a variety of different subject areas. The core modules in this degree programme emphasise mainly the animal sciences, environmental biology and microbiology options, and students can choose either to specialise within these subject areas or combine their study of these subjects with modules chosen from many other areas of the Life Sciences.
Students on the Biology degree programme participate in a field course and 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. They are encouraged to see the importance of both field- and laboratory-based research in the development of a properly rounded biologist. There are also opportunities to study abroad, for example on the Transatlantic Student Exchange Scheme. 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, and from our participation in local wildlife conservation projects.
Biology impinges on almost every aspect of our lives, and there is an enormous range of job opportunities for biologists in, for example, agriculture, aquaculture, biotechnology, education, environmental health, healthcare, wildlife conservation, bioremediation and the food and water industries. Many go on to careers in research or use their scientific training for careers in management, publishing, regulatory affairs, patent documentation and the media.
We use a variety of teaching methods, with lectures and practicals forming the core. In addition, we use workshops, tutorials, computer-aided learning, and field excursions, as appropriate to each module.
All modules are assessed by a combination of in-course and end-of-course procedures. Regular in-course assessments (e.g. practical reports, computer-based exercises, essays and data processing exercises) provide feedback on your progress and help you prepare for end-of-module examinations. On-line assignments are used extensively at Levels 1 and 2, with access via a PC on or off campus. Peer assessment operates in many team projects.
There are regular meetings of staff-student liaison committees. While this provides a forum for formal contact, there is also opportunity for informal contact between you and academic staff, whom you will find friendly and approachable.
| Typical Degree Programme Example | |||
| Honours Degree | |||
| Advanced Entry Honours Degree | |||
|
Level 1
6 modules including at least 4 from Biomolecular Mechanisms Environmental Biology Evolution and Biodiversity Genes, Heredity and Development Molecular Science A Molecular Science B and would normally include Molecular Science A. Level 1 provides a general introduction to the life sciences. Through an integrated programme of lectures, tutorials, practical work and field excursions you are provided with a firm grounding in biology, from molecules to whole organisms, plus the necessary chemical principles. You can combine your Life Sciences modules with up to two modules from outside the Life Sciences, in subjects such as Environmental Science, Psychology, IT, Mathematics or a foreign language. |
Level 2
6 modules including Diversity of Life or Genetics Animal Function Microbiology and Immunology and either Comparative Physiology or Genetics Animal Function Microbiology and Immunology Options for the remaining modules include Biomolecular Chemistry Cellular and Molecular Biology Comparative Physiology Drugs and Drug Targets Human Form and Function Society and the Life Sciences Up to 2 modules can be taken from outside the Life Sciences. Semester 1 is broadly-based and multidisciplinary, with core topics of importance to all areas of the life sciences. In Semester 2 you begin to focus on the subjects in which you have chosen to specialise. The essential module Animal Function deals with organismal diversity, the balance between primary productivity and consumers, and community structures in aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Microbiology and Immunology deals with beneficial and detrimental interactions between microbes and other organisms, and provides an introduction to human host-defences against infection. |
Level 3
4 modules including at least 1 from Animal Behaviour and Ecophysiology Developmental Biology Microbial Growth and Biotechnology and at least 1 from Ecology & Conservation Biology Comparative Zoology Immunology & Molecular Microbiology Other module options include Genome Science Molecular & Cell Biology |
Level 4
8 units Advanced study of topics in the area of your degree subject, at the level of current research. You will choose units from a range of topics that currently include
Research project An important feature of Level 4 is your project. Several formats are available including laboratory-based research under the supervision of a leading scientist, computer modelling, multimedia teaching packages, literature and electronic database review, or a school-based science education project. |
All Life Sciences degree programmes share common core modules at Level 1 that provide a general introduction to the life sciences through an integrated programme of lectures, tutorials, practical work and field excursions.
Level 2 begins to introduce the various subject areas within the life sciences, in which you might subsequently specialise, but remains broadly-based and multidisciplinary. There are opportunities to study in the USA or Canada at Level 2, through the Transatlantic Student Exchange scheme.
At Level 3 you specialise much more in your chosen degree subject, although many of the degree programmes allow you to keep your options open by continuing to study a second degree subject. Many students take advantage of opportunities for summer work placements, normally between Levels 3 and 4, which are available as externally-funded competitive placements, or as voluntary laboratory work.
Your studies at Level 4 will be at the level of current research in your chosen subject area and involve extensive use of scientific literature and the opportunity to attend a regular programme of seminars given by invited speakers from Britain and abroad. You choose a research project from an extensive list of options. This can be a laboratory-based project in the laboratories of one of the leading research groups in the field; it can be a field-based project, taking advantage of the location of Dundee within easy reach of a very wide variety of natural habitats; it can be a library- or computer-based project involving web design, analysis or review of scientific data, or a school-based science education project.
Two broadly-based degree programmes, Biology and Biomedical Sciences, provide an opportunity for you to graduate with a life science degree that does not involve an excessive degree of specialisation. The Joint Honours degrees allow you to study two subjects to the same level of specialisation.
Throughout your scientific studies you will be developing transferable skills. Running from Levels 1-3 is compulsory transferable skills module: SPELS (Skills, Professionalism and Employability in Life Sciences), a transferable skills module taken by all Life Sciences students. Your degree programme will involve a combination of independent learning and team work, through which you will develop your skills in information processing, use of computers, problem-solving, experimental design, analysis and critical evaluation of scientific literature, report writing, making presentations, communication and time management. These are important elements of all of our degree programmes, and they will help to ensure that you have the skills to make you attractive to a wide range of employers.
See the full structure of the BSc Biological / Biomedical / Biomolecular Sciences degrees as well as further general information.
All Life Sciences degrees have the same entry requirements except Forensic Anthropology (please visit the Forensic Anthropology webpage for further details).
| 2010 Entry Requirements | |
| Higher | BBBB |
| A-Level | CCC |
| Essential Subjects | Biology or Chemistry (H or A-Level) Chemistry and Mathematics (Standard Grade/Intermediate 2/GCSE) |
| Advanced Entry | |
| Advanced Higher | BB (AH) + BB (H) in other subjects |
| A-Level | BBB |
| Essential Subjects | Biology and/or Chemistry, preferably both, at AH or A-Level. If not both, at least B at H or AS Level in whichever is not taken at AH or A-Level. Mathematics (Standard Grade/Intermediate 2/GCSE) |
| Alternative Qualifications | |
| EDEXCEL | A relevant HNC in an appropriate Science with Merit (Level 1 entry) A relevant HND in an appropriate Science with Merit (Level 2 entry) |
| BTEC | A relevant National Diploma in an appropriate Science at MMM (Level 1 entry) A relevant National Diploma in an appropriate Science at DDM (Level 2 entry) A relevant HND (Level 2 entry) A relevant HND with at least 6 merits in specified units (Level 3 entry) |
| SQA | A relevant HNC with grade B in the graded unit (Level 1 entry);
applications for Level 2 entry will be considered individually. A relevant HND with grade BB in the graded units (Level 2 entry); applications for Level 3 entry will be considered individually. |
| ILC | BBBB at Higher Level including Biology or Chemistry at grade B. Mathematics and Chemistry are required at Ordinary Level grade B, if not offered at Higher Level (Level 1 entry). |
| IB | 28 points including Biology or Chemistry at Higher Level grade 5 (Level 1 entry) 34 points including two appropriate subjects, normally Biology and Chemistry, at Higher Level grades 5 and 6 (Level 2 entry) Subsidiary Level Mathematics is required for all degrees |
| European Baccalaureate | 70% or better, including Biology or Chemistry (Level 1 entry) |
| SWAP Access to Science Programmes | Relevant subjects with overall grade B (Level 1 entry) |
| Applicants with alternative overseas qualifications should visit the relevant country page on our International website. | |
All Life Sciences degrees have the same entry requirements except Forensic Anthropology (please visit the Forensic Anthropology webpage for further details).
| 2011 Entry Requirements | |
| SQA Higher | BBBB |
| GCE A-Level | BCC |
| ILC Higher | BBBB |
| IB Diploma | 30 points (including 5, 5, 5 at Higher Level) |
| Essential Subjects | Biology or Chemistry (H or A-Level) Chemistry and Mathematics (Standard Grade, Intermediate 2, GCSE, ILC Ordinary Level or IB Subsidiary Level) |
| Advanced Entry (to Level 2) | |
| SQA Advanced Higher | BB (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/or Chemistry, preferably both, at AH or A-Level or IB Higher level). Biology and Chemistry to at least H at B, AS at B, IB Higher Level at 5. Mathematics (Standard Grade, Intermediate 2, GCSE, ILC Ordinary Level or IB Subsidiary Level) |
| Other Qualifications | |
| EDEXCEL | A relevant HNC with Merits in appropriate Science modules (Level 1 entry) A relevant HND with Merits in appropriate Science modules (Level 2 entry) |
| BTEC | A relevant National Diploma in an appropriate Science at DMM (Level 1 entry) A relevant National Diploma in an appropriate Science at DDM (Level 2 entry) |
| SQA | A relevant HNC with grade B in the graded unit (Level 1 entry) A relevant HNC with grade A in the graded unit and 120 SCQF credits or a relevant HND with grade BB in the graded units (Level 2 entry) |
| Scottish Baccalaureate | Pass with CC at AH including Biology or Chemistry. Mathematics and Chemistry at SG (grade 3) or Intermediate 2 (grade C) (Level 1 entry) Pass with BB at AH including Biology and Chemistry. Mathematics at SG (grade 3) or Intermediate 2 (grade C) (Level 2 entry) |
| Advanced Diploma | Grade C with ASL-A Level Biology or Chemistry B. Mathematics and Chemistry GCSE C. (Level 1 entry) Grade B with ASL-A Level Biology and Chemistry at AB. Mathematics at GCSE C. (Level 2 entry) |
| Welsh Baccalaureate | Pass with A-Levels in Biology or Chemistry and another subject at BC. Mathematics and Chemistry at GCSE grade C (Level 1 entry) Pass with A-Levels in Biology and Chemistry at AB. Mathematics at GCSE grade C (Level 2 entry) |
| SWAP Access to Science Programmes | Relevant science subjects with ABB grades to include Chemistry and Biology/Human Biology at SCQF Level 6 (Level 1 entry) |
| Applicants with alternative overseas qualifications should visit the relevant country page on our International website. | |
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.
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.
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.
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.
Diana Davidson
Admissions & Student Recruitment
University of Dundee
Nethergate
Dundee
DD1 4HN
Scotland
Telephone: 01382 384 029 (from the UK)
Telephone: +44 1382 384 029 (from outside the UK)
Email: ContactUs@dundee.ac.uk
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