Biological Sciences Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

This BSc Biological Sciences gives you the opportunity to gain a broad and comprehensive understanding of how living systems have evolved and diversified, and how they function, reproduce and interact with each other. It is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge you need for a wide range of roles across the biological sciences sector.

Why choose this course?

* It is taught by internationally recognised researchers with a wide range of specialisms.

* You can choose from a range of option modules at each level to tailor your degree to your interests or career aspirations.

* It has a particular focus on developing advanced practical skills in the laboratory and out in the field.

* You will develop the technical, intellectual and social skills you need for a productive career in academic research, the bioscience industry, the charity and conservation sector, or the education sector.

What will I learn?

On this course you will develop your understanding of the molecular origins of life, and how whole organisms, from microbes to plants and animals, function and interact.

You will study the fundamentals of molecular and cell biology, microbiology, plant and animal diversity, and ecology. You can then choose option modules which give you the chance to focus on topics as diverse as epidemiology, astrobiology and genomics, depending on your interests.

This course has a strong focus on practical application and developing your data analysis, computational, field work and laboratory skills. In your final year you will complete a practical or field-based research project, in which you will generate and analyse your own data.

How will I learn?

This course is available to study full- or part-time. For many of the modules, you will be able to choose to attend either in the afternoon or evening. For some modules, online attendance may also be available. Classes consist of lectures combined with practical sessions, field trips, tutorials.

You will attend a daytime field class in Year 2, and in your final year will attend a week-long residential field class.

During your studies you will also be able to choose a micro-placement and career development module together, if you wish to, to further enhance your employability.

More highlights

* Birkbeck provides state-of-the-art, specialist laboratories and facilities for studying biological sciences in the heart of academic London.

* In the most recent 2021 Research Excellence Framework, in a joint submission with UCL, Biological Sciences at Birkbeck were ranked 11th in the UK.

* You will be taught by internationally distinguished experts who work with governments and institutions around the globe to extend the boundaries of knowledge.

* Working in close collaboration with the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, a joint institute between Birkbeck and UCL, we are recognised for the excellence and international impact of our research.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this course you will have developed an array of important transferable skills, including:

* field and laboratory skills, including those required to conduct ecological surveys

* the ability to analyse and critically evaluate data and complex ideas

* the ability to work independently in a field or laboratory environment, and develop and test hypotheses

* communication skills.

It will prepare you for a career path in a range of fields, including:

* academia (higher degrees)

* laboratory-based research (biosciences, food technology and agriculture)

* laboratory-based roles in the bioscience industry

* industry roles including technical, sales and management

* roles related to biodiversity and conservation.

You may also progress your studies further at postgraduate level on one of our master's courses, including the MSc Analytical Bioscience or MSc Microbiology.