BSc Biological Sciences with Professional Experience
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UCAS code
C101 -
Typical offer
BBB -
Year of entry
2023/24 -
Course duration
Full Time: 4 Years
-
Year of entry
2023/24 -
Course duration
Full Time: 4 Years
This BSc Biological Sciences with Professional Experience course enables you to develop your knowledge of biology around your specific interests, whilst gaining valuable industry experience.
The majority of modules on this course are optional, giving you the opportunity to cover a broad range of topics or specialise in a particular area such as ecology and wildlife or human biology. Your third year will consist of a work placement, which you can choose based on your career goals.
Within environmental biology options you will develop an understanding of ecology, conservation biology and humankind's impact on biodiversity. The University of Reading’s award-winning campus is home to over 1,000 different animal species and is extremely useful for learning fieldwork skills. It also features the Cole Museum of Zoology and a herbarium, which house vast collections and offer volunteering opportunities. Additionally, you will have the chance to apply your scientific knowledge to a range of other habitats through our optional field courses. These normally last around two weeks and take place in locations such as Devon, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, Iceland, Spain and Colombia.
Within biomedical subjects you will develop an understanding of human physiology and the basis of disease. The course has a strong practical element, and you will gain valuable experience of laboratory work and learn key molecular genetic and cell biology techniques. During your final year will have the chance to spend 11 weeks working on an original research project using cutting edge facilities and equipment. Previous topics include gene therapy of muscular dystrophy, emerging viral infections, the regulation of the stress response, stem cell biology, the spread of cancer and the control of blood clotting.
Our £60m Health and Life Sciences building is the home of the School of Biological Sciences. It offers state-of-the-art research and teaching laboratories, seminar rooms, and plenty of study and social space, including a café. The building also houses the Cole Museum of Zoology. The collection, featuring over 3,500 natural history specimens, provides a fantastic resource for biological scientists and the wider community.
For more information, please visit the School of Biological Sciences website.
Placement
You will spend your third year in an industrial business, a research institute or an environmental organisation. Most opportunities are available within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. In recent years students have carried out placements at Diamond Light Source, Kew Gardens, Public Health England, and GSK. You can also choose to spend the year abroad, typically carrying out research in an academic laboratory.
There is also the opportunity to undertake paid vacation studentships funded by organisations such as the Wellcome Trust and the Nuffield Foundation. These can take place over six weeks during the summer break, or be carried out part-time over a longer period. During studentships you will typically work on a set project and benefit from valuable training in techniques, experimental design and the interpretation of data.
Our department has a dedicated academic in charge of placements, who can provide you with advice and support.
For more information about securing and completing a placement for your placement year, please visit our Important Information page.
Overview
This BSc Biological Sciences with Professional Experience course enables you to develop your knowledge of biology around your specific interests, whilst gaining valuable industry experience.
The majority of modules on this course are optional, giving you the opportunity to cover a broad range of topics or specialise in a particular area such as ecology and wildlife or human biology. Your third year will consist of a work placement, which you can choose based on your career goals.
Within environmental biology options you will develop an understanding of ecology, conservation biology and humankind's impact on biodiversity. The University of Reading’s award-winning campus is home to over 1,000 different animal species and is extremely useful for learning fieldwork skills. It also features the Cole Museum of Zoology and a herbarium, which house vast collections and offer volunteering opportunities. Additionally, you will have the chance to apply your scientific knowledge to a range of other habitats through our optional field courses. These normally last around two weeks and take place in locations such as Devon, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, Iceland, Spain and Colombia.
Within biomedical subjects you will develop an understanding of human physiology and the basis of disease. The course has a strong practical element, and you will gain valuable experience of laboratory work and learn key molecular genetic and cell biology techniques. During your final year will have the chance to spend 11 weeks working on an original research project using cutting edge facilities and equipment. Previous topics include gene therapy of muscular dystrophy, emerging viral infections, the regulation of the stress response, stem cell biology, the spread of cancer and the control of blood clotting.
Our £60m Health and Life Sciences building is the home of the School of Biological Sciences. It offers state-of-the-art research and teaching laboratories, seminar rooms, and plenty of study and social space, including a café. The building also houses the Cole Museum of Zoology. The collection, featuring over 3,500 natural history specimens, provides a fantastic resource for biological scientists and the wider community.
For more information, please visit the School of Biological Sciences website.
Placement
You will spend your third year in an industrial business, a research institute or an environmental organisation. Most opportunities are available within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. In recent years students have carried out placements at Diamond Light Source, Kew Gardens, Public Health England, and GSK. You can also choose to spend the year abroad, typically carrying out research in an academic laboratory.
There is also the opportunity to undertake paid vacation studentships funded by organisations such as the Wellcome Trust and the Nuffield Foundation. These can take place over six weeks during the summer break, or be carried out part-time over a longer period. During studentships you will typically work on a set project and benefit from valuable training in techniques, experimental design and the interpretation of data.
Our department has a dedicated academic in charge of placements, who can provide you with advice and support.
For more information about securing and completing a placement for your placement year, please visit our Important Information page.
Entry requirements A Level BBB
Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.
Typical offer
BBB, including grade B in A level Biology and a second science
Acceptable science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geology, Computer Science.
International Baccalaureate
30 points overall, including 5 in Biology and in a second science subject, both at higher level
BTEC Extended Diploma
DDD (modules taken must be comparable to subject specific requirement)
Extended Project Qualification
In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5
For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.
Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students
For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.
International Foundation Programme
If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.
Pre-sessional English language programme
If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.
Structure
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
BI1BEC1 | Building Blocks of Life | PROF Phillip Dash |
BI1EAD1 | Introduction to Evolutionary Processes | DR Louise Johnson |
BI1S1 | Introductory Microbiology | DR Geraldine Mulley |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
BI1AB1 | Animal Behaviour | PROF Richard Sibly |
BI1AP12 | Anatomy & Physiology | DR Natasha Barrett |
BI1BAB2 | Metabolic and Practical Biochemistry | DR Alice Pollitt |
BI1BAC2 | Bacteriology and Virology | DR Geraldine Mulley |
BI1BEA2 | Current Topics in Zoology and Ecology | DR Phil Baker |
BI1BF1 | Laboratory and Study Skills for Biomedicine | DR Francoise Mazet |
BI1BM12 | Key Skills in Biomedicine | DR Chris Jones |
BI1BP2 | Pathology | DR Sam Boateng |
BI1EAB1 | Animal Diversity | PROF Amanda Callaghan |
BI1EC2 | Ecology | DR Manuela Gonzalez-Suarez |
BI1ED2 | Mammals: diversity, behaviour & conservation | DR Phil Baker |
BI1EG1 | Plant Diversity, Structure and Utilisation | PROF Julie Hawkins |
BI1EZ12 | Key Skills in Ecology and Zoology | DR Chris Jones |
BI1MB2 | Metabolic Biochemistry | DR Craig Hughes |
AP1A18 | Digestion and Nutrition | DR Sokratis Stergiadis |
CH1FC1 | Fundamental Concepts in Chemistry 1 | DR Silvia Baldanza |
CL1G1 | Ancient Greek 1 | PROF Amy Smith |
CL1L1 | Latin 1 (C) | MRS Jackie Baines |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
BI2EVP5 | Venoms and Poisons | PROF Phillip Dash |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
BI2AP12 | Anatomy & Physiology 2 | DR Natasha Barrett |
BI2APM | Medical Applications of Physics | DR Lindsey Thompson |
BI2BB4 | Endocrinology | PROF Phil Knight |
BI2BC45 | Cells and Immunity | DR Mike Fry |
BI2BCB5 | Clinical Biomedicine | PROF David Leake |
BI2BE4 | Pharmacology and Toxicology | PROF David Leake |
BI2BI45 | Infectious Diseases | DR Geraldine Mulley |
BI2BL5 | Protein Structure and Function | PROF Kimberly Watson |
BI2BM45 | Key Skills in Biomedicine 2 | DR Renee Lee |
BI2BMG4 | Molecular Genetics | DR Eva Kevei |
BI2BPB5 | Physiological Biochemistry | DR Francoise Mazet |
BI2BR5 | The Bacterial Cell | PROF Simon Andrews |
BI2BT5 | Introduction to Bioinformatics & Computational Biology | PROF Liam McGuffin |
BI2EEE4 | Biodiversity: Exploiters and Exploited | PROF Julie Hawkins |
BI2EI4 | Invertebrate Zoology | DR Christopher Foster |
BI2EJFC | UK Biodiversity Field Skills | DR Christopher Foster |
BI2EMV4 | Management of Vertebrate Pests | DR Phil Baker |
BI2ERD4 | Reptiles and Dinosaurs | DR Brian Pickles |
BI2EV45 | Vertebrate Zoology | DR Graham Luke |
BI2EX5 | Introduction to Entomology | DR Christopher Foster |
BI2EY5 | Birds: Diversity, Behaviour and Conservation | DR Christopher Foster |
BI2EZ45 | Key Skills in Ecology and Zoology 2 | DR Renee Lee |
BI2MARBC | Marine Biology and Conservation | DR Glyn Barrett |
BI2NCP5 | Nature Conservation in Practice | DR Campbell Murn |
BI2PAB | Practical Animal Behaviour | DR Phil Baker |
BI2PLA | Summer Placement | DR Renee Lee |
ED2TS1 | Development of transferable skills through a school placement 1 | DR Caroline Foulkes |
ED2TS2 | Development of transferable skills through a school placement 2 | DR Caroline Foulkes |
FT2WD | Wildlife Documentary: Ecology and Representation | DR Adam O'Brien |
MM2101 | Founder Dilemmas | DR Norbert Morawetz |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
BI2PEX | Professional Experience | DR Renee Lee |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
BI3PRO | Research Project | DR Renee Lee |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
BI3AB7 | Selected Topics in Animal Behaviour | PROF Richard Sibly |
BI3BA7 | Medical Genetics | DR Dyan Sellayah |
BI3BAI8 | Applied and Integrated Biochemistry | DR Chris Jones |
BI3BB7 | Selected Topics in Endocrinology and Endocrine Disease | DR Andrew Bicknell |
BI3BC7 | Bacterial Pathogens | DR Simon Clarke |
BI3BDI2 | Radiation in Medicine | DR Lindsey Thompson |
BI3BE8 | Cardiovascular Disease | PROF David Leake |
BI3BG8 | Mechanisms for Microbial Function | DR Glyn Barrett |
BI3BH8 | Mammalian Reproduction | PROF Phil Knight |
BI3BI8 | Neurobiology | DR Nandini Vasudevan |
BI3BJ8 | Viral Pathogens | PROF Ian Jones |
BI3BQ78 | Bacterial Pathogens & Experimental Approaches | DR Simon Clarke |
BI3BR7 | Structural Proteomics | PROF Kimberly Watson |
BI3BT78 | Cancer and Cell Communication | DR Mike Fry |
BI3CP8 | Palaeoecology | DR Brian Pickles |
BI3EHD | Evolution in Health and Disease: Lessons from the Natural World | DR Dyan Sellayah |
BI3EUA | Ecology of Urban Areas | DR Phil Baker |
BI3EW8 | Conservation Biology | DR Graham Holloway |
BI3PB78 | Diversity and Identification of Plants | DR Alastair Culham |
BI3S78 | Seminars in Biology | DR Louise Johnson |
BI3ZE8 | Zoonotic Epidemiology | DR Francoise Mazet |
AP3A101 | Canine and Feline Science | MRS Rebecca Morgan |
AP3A67 | Animal Welfare | MS Holly Vickery |
AP3A99 | Plants, Greenspace and Urban Sustainability | DR Tijana Blanusa |
AP3AE75 | Wildlife and Farming | PROF Simon Mortimer |
ED3TS3 | Development of transferable skills through a school placement 3 | DR Caroline Foulkes |
ED3TS4 | Development of transferable skills through a school placement 4 | DR Caroline Foulkes |
FB3NGLA | Genes, Lifestyle and Nutrition | DR Vimal Karani |
FB3NHD | Nutrition, Health and Disease (Part taught with FBMNH1) | PROF Julie Lovegrove |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Fees
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250*
New international students: £24,500
*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes
UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.
EU student fees
With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.
Additional costs
Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Placement year fees
If you spend a full year on placement, you will only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee for that year. For more information, please see our fees and funding pages or contact placements@reading.ac.uk.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
Careers
During the course, emphasis is placed on developing transferable skills such as computer literacy, information retrieval, data handling and communication skills.
You could find employment in a wide range of roles across sectors including healthcare, agriculture, commercial manufacturing, environmental management and publishing. You may also decide to take up a research career or move into further study.
Overall, 93% of graduates from Biological Sciences are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (based on HESA data, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20; includes all Biological Sciences responders).