Out in the field
Hands-on lab experience
Global placement opportunities
Details
Year 1
Core modules
BIOL119
Introduction to Biology
20 credits
Build a strong foundation in biological thinking through hands-on field and laboratory work. You’ll learn how to gather, analyse and interpret scientific data, develop essential skills in evaluation and presentation, and start to work independently as a biologist. This module prepares you for deeper study by strengthening your confidence in core scientific practices.
75% Coursework
25% Practicals
BIOL131
Cells: The Building Blocks of Life
20 credits
Explore the molecular and genetic features that allow cells to function. You’ll investigate cell biology in the context of plant and animal development and learn how cells process complex information to give biological outcomes which have implications at the cellular, tissue and whole organism levels. This module provides a vital grounding in cell biology and development.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
BIOL132
Ecology and the Diversity of Life
20 credits
Discover the principles guiding ecological systems and the immense diversity of life on Earth. You’ll investigate ecological patterns, evolutionary relationships and the processes that sustain natural communities. By exploring how biodiversity is studied and protected, you’ll gain a clear understanding of ecology’s central role in conservation and sustainable management.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
BIOL133
Principles of Physiology
20 credits
Explore how plants and animals function through the lens of comparative physiology, comparing the structures and systems that help them survive. You’ll learn about key physiological processes and how diverse organisms solve similar biological challenges. This module establishes a broad understanding of organismal biology and prepares you for deeper study in physiology and ecology.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
MBIO161
Evolution and Behaviour
20 credits
Explore the evolutionary principles that shape species and their behaviour. You’ll examine genetic inheritance, population genetics, adaptation, fitness, speciation, and the fossil record using key examples and practical classes to deepen understanding. Historical developments in evolutionary thought provide context for modern interpretations, helping you approach biology through the lens of evolutionary adaptation.
50% Examinations
50% Tests
BMSBS01
Biological Sciences Student Support Stage 1
Receive regular support from your Personal Tutor and develop skills that support your success beyond academic study. You’ll take part in tutorials, careers sessions and stage meetings, exploring personal development, skill tracking, goal setting and professional planning. This module helps you understand how support, reflection, and structured guidance combine to enhance your progress, wellbeing, and future opportunities.
Optional modules
BIOL138
Spain Field Ecology
20 credits
Experience ecological research first-hand during a residential field course in southern Spain. You’ll develop skills in species identification, sampling design, taxonomy and biodiversity assessment, working directly with real ecological data. By designing and testing hypotheses, you’ll gain the confidence and practical expertise needed for future field-based scientific work.
60% Coursework
40% Tests
BIOL139
UK Field Ecology
20 credits
Take part in an immersive UK based field course that builds your confidence in real ecological research. You’ll learn to identify major organism groups, practise core sampling and survey techniques, and work with biodiversity data collected first-hand. Through guided fieldwork and student-led exploration, you’ll develop ecological and scientific skills grounded in local environments.
60% Coursework
40% Tests
Year 2
Core modules
BIOL205
Animal Behaviour
20 credits
Discover why animals behave the way they do by exploring the causes, development, function and evolution of behaviour. You’ll learn scientific methods for studying behaviour and consider how behavioural knowledge supports practical applications, from welfare improvements to conservation. This module equips you with strong analytical and observational skills in behavioural science.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
BIOL226
Animal Ecophysiology
20 credits
Examine life-history strategies and the physiological processes that support growth, survival and reproduction in animals. You’ll undertake ecophysiological research exploring how environmental pressures influence organismal function. Through comparative examples, this module deepens your understanding of how animals adapt and respond to environmental challenges in both natural and changing environments.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
BIOL232
Comparative Zoology
20 credits
Explore the remarkable diversity of animal life by studying the morphology, development and taxonomy of major vertebrate and invertebrate groups. You’ll compare key traits across extant and extinct species, uncovering the evolutionary innovations that define each group. This module offers a deep, integrated understanding of the form, function and evolution of animals.
50% Practicals
50% Examinations
BIOL234
Methods in Biology
20 credits
Develop essential laboratory and field skills used across the biological sciences. You’ll learn safe and effective techniques for data collection, experiment design and analysis using tools such as statistical software and bioinformatics. This module builds your competence and confidence in practical biology, preparing you for more advanced research and technical work.
70% Coursework
30% Tests
BMSBS02
Biological Sciences Student Support Stage 2
Deepen your engagement with coordinated support and skill-tracking during Stage 2. This module helps you to strengthen your personal and professional development, through pastoral support and careers sessions, preparing you for the increased independence and complexity of upper-level study. It ensures continued academic progression and confidence.
Optional modules
BIOL204
Principles of Conservation Biology
20 credits
Explore the biological principles essential for effective conservation. You’ll examine population ecology and conservation genetics to understand extinction risk and persistence of species and study their relevance to conservation management. This module strengthens your ability to apply core ecological concepts to real world conservation challenges and prepares you for more advanced conservation study.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
BIOL230
Zoology Field Course
20 credits
Gain hands-on experience in zoological field methods on this residential course. You’ll learn to design studies, carry out ecological sampling, identify species, analyse data and present your findings. With a strong focus on scientific rigour and detailed observation, the module prepares you for advanced fieldwork and professional roles in zoological and ecological research.
60% Coursework
40% Tests
MBIO228
Biology of Marine Organisms
20 credits
Explore the fundamental biology of marine organisms, focusing on diversity of form and function in key groups. Develop an understanding of the evolution and anatomy of organisms across the marine tree of life including marine vertebrates, invertebrates and algae. Build an understanding of marine biodiversity and how morphological and physiological traits allow organisms to inhabit a range of marine environments.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
BIOL236
Tropical Biodiversity Field Course
20 credits
Experience tropical biology first-hand through a residential field course focused on biodiversity, sampling techniques and species identification. You’ll design field studies, collect and analyse data, and practise scientific communication. Immersion in tropical ecosystems deepens your understanding of ecological processes and the complexity of biodiversity in global hotspots.
60% Coursework
40% Tests
Optional placement year
Core modules
APIE303
Biology:Placement
Undertake at least 24 weeks of hands?on professional training with an approved host organisation. During your placement, you’ll apply biological knowledge in real work settings, develop technical and transferable skills, and gain insight into how biological science operates across sectors. This experience helps bridge academic learning with future career ambitions.
Final year
Core modules
MBIO324
Speciation and Diversity
20 credits
Examine how species form, diversify and evolve. You’ll investigate species concepts, mechanisms of speciation and the evolutionary processes driving biological diversity. The module also explores how diversity has changed through evolutionary time, giving you a comprehensive foundation in evolutionary biology and biodiversity science.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
PROJ302
SoBMS Project
40 credits
Undertake an independent research project from concept to completion. You’ll develop a research question, design and execute your study, analyse results and communicate your findings. This module strengthens your ability to work independently, solve problems and reflect on your academic and professional development.
75% Coursework
25% Practicals
BMSBS04
Biological Sciences Student Support Stage 4
Deepen your engagement with coordinated support and skill-tracking during Stage 2. This module helps you to strengthen your personal and professional development, through pastoral support and careers sessions, preparing you for the increased independence and complexity of upper-level study. It ensures continued academic progression and confidence.
Optional modules
BIOL310
Global Change Biology
20 credits
Investigate how climate change is reshaping plant and animal biology and distributions. You’ll explore current predictions for ecological change over the coming century and examine how this knowledge informs conservation action. By connecting climate science with ecological practice, the module prepares you to engage with one of the most urgent challenges facing biodiversity.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
BIOL320
Animal Nutrition
20 credits
Discover how principles of animal nutrition across species can be used to understand and formulate diets that meet animals’ nutritional needs. Learn how regulatory, physical, and manufacturing factors shape modern feed production, and uncover the vital role nutrition plays in animal welfare and productivity. You will apply this knowledge to design effective, evidence-based diets that support optimal animal health and performance.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
BIOL323
Advanced Behaviour Analysis Techniques
20 credits
Gain hands-on experience collecting and analysing complex behavioural datasets using modern techniques. You will follow a group of animals, quantify individual behaviour and track social interactions, utilising coding to construct a social network. You will also learn to communicate behavioural insights to a variety of audiences, including scientists and the public.
50% Coursework
50% Practicals
BIOL324
Advanced Bioinformatics and Phylogenetics
20 credits
Build expertise in the analytical skills needed to work with large biological datasets. You’ll explore bioinformatics tools, phylogenetic methods, image analysis and genomic approaches and learn to interpret complex biological patterns. This module prepares you to apply cutting-edge data science to answer major questions in ecology, evolution, behaviour and molecular biology.
50% Coursework
50% Practicals
MBIO317
Behavioural Ecology
20 credits
Explore the theories behind key models in behavioural ecology, including optimal foraging, game theory and habitat selection. Using empirical studies, you’ll evaluate how animals make decisions and how behaviour evolves. This module provides a deeper understanding of how behaviour shapes ecological outcomes.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
MBIO363
Fish and Fisheries
20 credits
Explore the biology of fishes and how it informs sustainable fisheries management. Drawing on key research on behaviour and physiology to population dynamics and community processes, you’ll evaluate implications for aquaculture and wild capture fisheries. Through discussions, workshops and seminars with industry professionals, you’ll develop evidence based skills to support the sustainable management of fish populations.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
MBIO364
Conservation Physiology
20 credits
Explore how physiological approaches help solve real conservation problems in marine systems. You’ll examine how marine organisms respond to natural and human-driven stressors, and evaluate how fundamental physiology principles can inform their conservation. Through discussion based learning, this module strengthens your ability to apply a physiological approach to conserve species and ecosystems in a changing world.
60% Examinations
40% Coursework
Course-specific academic regulations
This course has unique rules relating to:
- Progression
- Passing a module
Experience
Fieldwork opportunities
Joining us in September 2026? The university will now cover the cost of your international travel (flight to and travel within the country) and accommodation for your second-year field trip ensuring you can take part in this valuable learning experience without any financial worries. This trip is an excellent opportunity to apply your knowledge in a real-world setting, create memories with your classmates, and enhance your studies.
“It's the best experience I've ever, ever had. It's completely changed my perspective on what I want to do and where I want to be in life.â€
BSc (Hons) Zoology
Expand your horizons with a research expedition
Facilities designed for real-world experience
-
LABplus – a resource centre designed to support practical work, offering equipment, sample materials and learning aids to reinforce your lab skills. - Ecoloans library – offering access to equipment such as bat detectors, camera traps, sensors, binoculars, nets, GoPros and field guides.
- Controlled environment chambers – enabling precise experimental work in varying environmental conditions.
Seeing it for yourself really makes you understand some of the concepts better, and it also gives some hands-on lab experience working with animals, asking questions and figuring out how to design experiments. These things are particularly applicable to research or lab-based careers, but those kind of problem-solving skills are really important for any kind of career.
Dr Sarah Lane
Lecturer in Behaviour and Evolution
Student placement insight
“It is incredibly rewarding to see animals going from being on the brink of death to thriving and living the life they should be.â€
The Ocean Giants Programme
Learn from experts
We are closely linked with the following research groups:
Dr Alexander Wilson
Lecturer in Behavioural Ecology
Dr Sarah Collins
Associate Head of School for Marketing, Recruitment and Outreach
Dr Chiara Boschetti
Lecturer in Biological Sciences
Enrich your studies – join the Zoology Society
Keep up to date
Life in Âé¶¹ÆÆ½â°æ
The overall vibe of the city is perfect. You are by the sea so it is still laid back, but you have all the conveniences of living in a city.
Current student
Careers
It’s inspiring to think what positive impacts we can make as a community if we work together over a longer period of time to protect the spaces and wildlife we love.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
£9,790 per year
£815 per 10 credits
Tuition fee price changes
£19,200 per year
Tuition fee price changes
Additional costs
Fund your studies
Supporting students with the cost of living
Apply
Entry requirements
104 UCAS points
You may be eligible for a contextual offer
GCSE
A levels
BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma/RQF National Extended Diploma
All Access courses
T level
International Baccalaureate
Extended entry requirements
Ready to apply?
C300
P60
3 years
(+ optional placement)
Full-time
Âé¶¹ÆÆ½â°æ
Other routes into this course
The following courses are available as routes into this programme.
Looking for an alternative route into biology degrees? This foundation year, taught by University academics, builds your knowledge, confidence and study skills – preparing you to succeed and progress onto any biology degree.
Entry requirements
104 UCAS points
BSearch entry requirements for your country
English language requirements
Ready to apply?
Need support with your application?
- Personal statement guidance
- student visa support
- travel and arrival information
- and more.
C300
P60
3 years
(+ optional placement)
Full-time
Âé¶¹ÆÆ½â°æ
Other routes to this course
Visit us at an undergraduate on-campus open day