Biological Sciences

From the gene to the cell, to the whole person; if you have a passion for exploring how the human body works, study the BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences at Aston University.

Course overview

Biology encompasses many areas of scientific study such as living organisms, life cycles, adaptations, and the environment. Biological science also incorporates a wealth of exciting and diverse topics from biochemistry and biotechnology to genetics, microbiology, and physiology.

Our BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences offers you an incredible mix of top-quality teaching, world-class research and the opportunity to gain real-world experience with our optional placement year. For those who achieve the required grades in the second year, you will be given the option to enhance your learning by transferring onto our master's programme; giving you the platform to be a research and development leader and innovator of the future.

Professional accreditation As a BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences student, you will learn the skills to work as a competent scientist in various professional settings. Royal Society of Biology (RSB) accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and key skills, preparing you to address the needs of employers. The criteria set by the RSB require evidence that graduates from accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills.

Year 1 Study a range of key bioscience topics where you will gain knowledge of the structure, function, synthesis and degradation of biomolecules, how genetic material is stored and inherited, and how to work safely in a laboratory setting.

Year 2 Build your knowledge gained in your first year, as well as discover exciting new topics all while developing the skills to apply fundamental biological concepts to experimental and real-world problems.

After year 2, students who achieve a minimum of 65% in their second year will be given the option to transfer onto the integrated masters MBiol programme. You can choose to take the placement year as MBiol Biological Sciences is available as 4 years without placement or 5 years with a placement year.

Placement year You will have the opportunity to gain valuable career-boosting experience by setting your studies in the real-world context of a working environment alongside professionals. Designed to make you stand out in the graduate crowd, you can undertake placements in hospital, industrial or research laboratories, as well as non-laboratory settings. Our students have completed placements in Clinical trial companies, Research institutes, Breweries, The food industry, Pharmaceutical companies (e.g. AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline), Medical sales, and Biotechnology companies.

Final year / penultimate MBiol year Develop the skills required to complete a substantial original research project and choose from a selection of advanced subjects those that most suit your future career aspirations.

Students who achieve a minimum of 65% in their second year will be given the option to transfer onto the MBiol Biological Sciences integrated masters programme which holds Advanced Degree Accreditation by the RSB*. This advanced accreditation recognises academic excellence in biosciences and highlights degrees that educate the research and development leaders and innovators of the future. The criteria require evidence that graduates from the course meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including gaining a substantial period of research experience.

*Please note we do not offer a Foundation Programme, if you select year 0 on your application form this will be amended to year 1 at admissions review stage.