BiologyBSc Honours

UCAS code C1003 Years

www.ncl.ac.uk/ug/C100Printed from the web page above on 26/08/2018

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BiologyBSc HonoursUCAS code C1003 Years

Our three-year Biology BSc Honours degree isthe widest-ranging of our BSc degrees, dealingwith all forms of life, at all scales, from cellsand molecules to whole organisms andecosystems.

In the first year, all students study core biology modules,giving you a strong foundation in the subject.

In later stages, you will have a choice of specialist topics,many of which are linked to our research expertise, such as:

• molecular biology, genomics and development• plant-animal interactions• biodiversity and conservation

Lab and field-based sessions equip you with the scientificskills required by professional biologists.

You gain practical experience through a speciesidentification course, and a choice between an intensiveproject-based field course or laboratory workshopexamining the application of molecular techniques.

Highlights of this degreeQuality and rankingBiology at Newcastle ranks:

• 92nd – Life Sciences category – Times Higher EducationWorld University Rankings by Subject 2018

• top 150 – Biological Sciences category – QS WorldUniversity Rankings by Subject 2018

Boost your employability with a work placementApply to spend 9 to 12 months on an optional workplacement between Stages 2 and 3. You can apply tospend your placement year with any organisation and willreceive University support to do so.

You’ll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector,putting your learning into practice and developing yourprofessional expertise.

It will extend your degree by a year and is subject toavailability.

Find out more about Work Placements.

Study AbroadYou have the opportunity to take part in a study abroadexchange in your second year through our non-EUexchange scheme.

Opportunities exist in Canada, the USA and Australia.Alternatively you can arrange to study abroad for onesemester.

Find out more about study abroad.

Shared first yearThe first year is shared with other degrees in the School,providing all students with a thorough foundation in theessentials of the subject.

This shared first year provides you with a thoroughknowledge of the fundamentals of biology, through topicssuch as the diversity of form and function in animals, plantsand micro-organisms.

You also study modules in:

• ecology• evolution• biochemistry• cell biology• genetics• a topic from a choice in agriculture, marine biology or

psychology

You can transfer to one of our other degrees before thesecond year should your interests change (subject toachieving the appropriate grades).

FieldworkAll of our Biology and Zoology degrees are designed toensure that you gain practical experience. As well aslaboratory-based practical classes, you have the opportunityto take part in a number of field courses including thecourses detailed below.

Species identification field courseThis field course takes place in second year, providing skillsthat are sought after in the environmental sector. You pickany two from plants, insects and birds.

Residential field courseThis project-based residential field course takes place inthird year. Current locations include Kielder, Millport andCrete. You can also take an optional mammal surveyingskills module in the UK or a tropical conservation researchmodule.

Day excursionsDay excursions take advantage of our unique geographiclocation close to a variety of natural habitats, fromNorthumberland National Park to the stunning localcoastline.

We also offer a vocational placement module, whichenables you to enhance your CV by gaining academic creditfor work in biology off campus.

Facilities and supportThis degree is run by the School of Natural andEnvironmental Sciences.

FacilitiesFacilities include:

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• a field station which has a glasshouse complex anddedicated teaching facilities

• two University farms in Northumberland, which are usedas demonstration facilities for students

• purpose-built teaching laboratories• an on-campus museum – the Great North Museum –

with many interesting and important biological collections

SupportYou will have an academic member of staff as a personaltutor throughout your degree. They can help with academicand personal issues.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellowstudents who can help you settle in and answer anyquestions you have.

Social activitiesThere's a student-led society, BioSoc, which organisesregular social events and trips for its friendly cohort ofstudents.

The Robinson Library has 1.5 million books and lots ofstudy space.

Course Details

Modules for 2018 entry

Please noteThe module and/or programme information below isfor 2018 entry. Our teaching is informed by research andmodules change periodically to reflect developments inthe discipline, the requirements of external bodies andpartners, student feedback, or insufficient numbers ofstudents interested (in an optional module). To find outmore read our terms and conditions.Module/programme information for 2019 entry will bepublished here as soon as it is available (end of May2019).Our degrees are divided into Stages. Each Stage lasts foran academic year and you need to complete modulestotalling 120 credits by the end of each Stage. Furtherinformation, including the credit value of the module, isavailable in each of the module descriptions below.

Stage 1

Compulsory modulesACE1013 Introduction to GeneticsBIO1001 Cell BiologyBIO1002 The Animal KingdomBIO1003 Plant Biology 1BIO1004 Microbiology 1BIO1005 EvolutionBIO1006 EcologyBIO1010 Biology In ActionBIO1019 Introductory Biochemistry for BiologistsOptional modulesYou choose one module from the following list:ACE1022 Crop PestsBIO1007 Introduction to Marine VertebratesPSY1006 Instinct, Learning and MotivationOther optional modules may also be available.

Stage 2

Compulsory modulesBIO2003 Field Identification Skills*BIO2004 Plant Biology 2BIO2008 Evolutionary and Population GeneticsBIO2014 Animal PhysiologyBIO2017 Microbiology 2BIO2020 Experimental Design and Statistics for Biologists

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Stage 2

BIO2022 Molecular Biology and DevelopmentBIO2029 Vertebrate Biology*BIO2003 takes place prior to Stage 2Optional modulesYou choose ONE of the following modules:BIO2030 Methods in Biotechnology: Principles, Theoryand PracticeBIO2032 Residential Field CourseYou choose optional modules to the value of 10/20credits from the following list (total credit weighting shouldbe 120):BIO2013 Animal BehaviourBIO2018 Pollution of Air, Water and Soil 1BIO2021 Employability Skills for BiologistsBIO2028 Biodiversity, Ecology and ConservationBIO2031 Biotechnology 1: Principles and Theory**BIO2031 not available if you take BIO2030

Work Placement (optional)

You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months on an optionalwork placement between Stages 2 and 3. You can applyto spend your placement year with any organisation andwill receive University support to do so. It will extend yourdegree by a year and is subject to availability. Find outmore about Work Placements.

If you choose this option, you take the following:

NCL3000 Careers Service Placement Year Module

Stage 3

Compulsory modulesBIO3041 Molecular Evolution and SystematicsBIO3043 Plant Biology 3Optional modulesYou choose one module from the following:BIO3001 Animal EcophysiologyBIO3044 Behavioural EcologyYou choose one module from the following list:BIO3197 Biological Literature ReviewBIO3198 Biological Information ProjectBIO3199 Biological Research ProjectYou also choose 30 credits from the following list:BIO3003 Ecological ModellingBIO3010 Conservation Research in Tropical Forest*BIO3019 GenomicsBIO3031 Pollution of Air, Water and Soil 2BIO3032 Cellular SystemsBIO3039 Biodiversity Science and ManagementBIO3040 Applied EcologyBIO3042 Biotechnology: Applications

Stage 3

SUG3500 Creativity and Market Research in Science andEngineering*BIO3010 takes place prior to Stage 3

Teaching and assessment

Study at the cutting edgeTeaching is strongly informed by the School of Natural andEnvironmental Sciences' research, meaning you aresupervised and taught by experts at the forefront ofdevelopments in their field, particularly in your third year.

During the final year you have the chance to conduct yourown research through one of our project modules. Yourindividual project can be:

• based on field or laboratory research• a detailed review of research publications on a special

topic• a project to enhance the public understanding of science

Teaching methodsOn average, you'll spend around a third of your time incontact with teaching staff for lectures, laboratory and fieldpractical classes, computer sessions and in tutorial activitiestied closely to key skills development.

You may find yourself spending as much time in thelaboratory as the lecture theatre, or be off campus forhalf-day field trips.

Assessment methodsAssessment is by examination and in-course assessmentsuch as essays, presentations and laboratory reports.

Find out moreVisit our Teaching and Learning pages to read about theoutstanding learning experience available to all students atNewcastle University.

Entry Requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis.

If your qualifications are not listed here, please see ouradditional entry requirements web pages to find out whichother qualifications are considered.

The entrance requirements below apply to 2019 entry.

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A LevelsAAB-ABB including Biology and normally anotherscience-related subject from: Chemistry, Mathematics,Physics, Geography, Psychology, Environmental Science orGeology. General Studies is excluded. Chemistry ispreferred at A or AS level, but not essential. For Biology,Chemistry and Physics A levels, we require a pass in thepractical element. GCSE Mathematics minimum grade B or6 if not offered at A or AS level.

Scottish QualificationsAAABB-AABBB at Higher Grade including two sciencesubjects. Advanced Higher Biology and another sciencesubject normally required. Acceptable science subjects are:Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Geography, Psychology.Higher Grade Chemistry desirable. Mathematics required atNational 5, minimum grade B (or grade 2 Standard Grade orIntermediate 2 equivalent) if not offered at Higher Grade.

Scottish qualifications can be taken in more than one sitting.

International Baccalaureate32-34 points normally including Higher Level Biology atgrade 6 or above. Chemistry is preferred at Higher Level butnot essential. Mathematics or Mathematical Studies andChemistry required at Standard Level grade 5 if not offeredat Higher Level.

Irish Leaving CertificateH1H1H1H2H3-H1H1H2H2H3 at Higher level, includingBiology and another science subject from: Chemistry,Mathematics, Physics, Geography. Chemistry is preferredbut not essential

Access Qualifications30 level 3 credits at Distinction including 15 credits inbiological sciences, and 15 level 3 credits at Merit or above.Chemistry and mathematics or quantitative methods unitsare desirable.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National ExtendedDiploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3Extended DiplomaA science-related subject with substantial biology andchemistry units at overall DDD grade.

Cambridge Pre-UD3,D3,M2-D3,M2,M2 in Principal Subjects including Biologyand normally another science subject from: Chemistry,Mathematics, Physics, Geography, Psychology. Chemistryis preferred but not essential. GCSE Mathematics minimumgrade B or 6 if not offered at a higher level.

Extended Project QualificationWe welcome applications from students offering anExtended Project and value the skills of research andindependent learning that it is designed to develop.  If youoffer an Extended Project, it will be taken into account aspart of your application profile, but we will not usuallyinclude it in offer conditions for this degree programme.

PARTNERS - A LevelsBBC including Biology and another science subject from:Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Geography, Psychology,Environmental Science or Geology. General Studies isexcluded. Chemistry is preferred at A or AS level, but notessential. For Biology, Chemistry and Physics A levels, werequire a pass in the practical element. GCSE Mathematicsminimum grade B or 6 if not offered at A or AS level.

The PARTNERS Programme is Newcastle University’ssupported entry route for students from schools andcolleges in England and Northern Ireland. Find out moreabout the PARTNERS Programme.

PARTNERS - Pearson BTEC Level 3 NationalExtended Diploma/OCR Cambridge TechnicalLevel 3 Extended DiplomaA science-related subject with substantial biology andchemistry units at overall DMM-MMM grade.

The PARTNERS Programme is Newcastle University’ssupported entry route for students from schools andcolleges in England and Northern Ireland. Find out moreabout the PARTNERS Programme.

English Language RequirementsApplicants whose first language is not English require aminimum score of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.

If you need help to meet our English Languagerequirements, we can provide support with extra tuition.

Read more about UK visas and immigration requirements.

Other International QualificationsABB at A level is typically the minimum required for entry toan undergraduate course. You can check the equivalentgrades for qualifications offered in your country.

We will also consider your application if you have lower ornon-standard qualifications.

International Foundation ProgrammesIf you are an international student and you do not meet theacademic and English language requirementsspecified above, you should consider a pre-sessionalcourse at INTO Newcastle University, which will help toprepare you for study on this degree course.

INTO Newcastle University is based on the Universitycampus and offers a range of courses including theInternational Foundation in Biological and BiomedicalSciences.

Undergraduate Admissions Policy

See our 2018 Admissions Policy (PDF: 185 KB).

See further policies related to admission.

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Careers

Biology careersThe range of skills that you acquire as a Biology or Zoologystudent opens the door to a wide variety of career options.

Some graduates go into jobs in research and developmentin:

• biological industries• universities• the NHS and other organisations

Others go on to postgraduate training, undertaking an MScor PhD.

Graduates have also pursued careers in areas such as:

• sales and management in biological industries• environmental management• teaching• environmental education• science communication

Others use their degree as a stepping stone into verydifferent careers, such as: banking and retail management;media production, event management and advertising; andadventure tourism.

Find out more about the career options for BiologicalSciences from Prospects: The UK's Official CareersWebsite.

What our graduates go on to do:employment and further studychoicesSee what our recent graduates went on to do and viewgraduate destinations statistics. These statistics are basedon what graduates were doing on a specific date,approximately six months after graduation. Take a look atthe most recent data available for our graduates.

The destination data is available in varying levels, beginningwith the University and moving through Faculty and Schooldown to individual course reports. This final level may giveyou some useful ideas about possible options after yourcourse or a course you are considering.

Careers and employability atNewcastleNewcastle University consistently has one of the bestrecords for graduate employment in the UK.

96% of our 2017 UK-domiciled UG/PG graduatesprogressed to employment or further study within sixmonths of graduating.

85.5% of our graduates are in graduate level employment orfurther study within six months of graduating.

We provide an extensive range of opportunities to allstudents through an initiative called ncl+. This enables youto develop personal, employability and enterprise skills andto give you the edge in the employment market after yougraduate.

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest andbest in the country, and we have strong links withemployers.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees (UK students)

2019 entry*:£9,250For programmes where you can spend a year on a workplacement or studying abroad, you will receive asignificant fee reduction for that year.Some of our degrees involve additional costs which arenot covered by your tuition fees.2018 entry*:£9,250For programmes where you can spend a year on a workplacement or studying abroad, you will receive asignificant fee reduction for that year.Some of our degrees involve additional costs which arenot covered by your tuition fees.*Please note:The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for UKstudents is set by the UK government.As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee toincrease in each subsequent academic year of yourcourse, subject to government regulations on feeincreases and in line with inflation, as measured byRPIX**.See more information on all aspects of studentfinance relating to Newcastle University.**RPIX is a measure of inflation in the UK, equivalent to allthe items in the Retail Price Index excluding mortgageinterest payments.

Tuition Fees (EU students)

2019 entry*:£9,250 You will pay the same tuition fees as UK studentsfor the duration of your course.For programmes where you can spend a year on a workplacement or studying abroad, you will receive asignificant fee reduction for that year.Some of our degrees involve additional costs which arenot covered by your tuition fees.2018 entry*:

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Tuition Fees (EU students)

£9,250. You will pay the same tuition fees as UK studentsfor the duration of your course.For programmes where you can spend a year on a workplacement or studying abroad, you will receive asignificant fee reduction for that year.Some of our degrees involve additional costs which arenot covered by your tuition fees.*Please note:As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee toincrease in each subsequent academic year of yourcourse, subject to government regulations on feeincreases and in line with inflation, as measured byRPIX**.See more information on all aspects of studentfinance relating to Newcastle University.**RPIX is a measure of inflation in the UK, equivalent to allthe items in the Retail Price Index excluding mortgageinterest payments.

Tuition Fees (International students)

2019 entry:Tuition fees for 2019-20 have not yet been confirmed.2018 entry*:£21,000 per year*Please note:You will be charged tuition fees for each year of yourdegree programme (unless you are on a shorterexchange programme).If you spend a year on placement or studying abroad aspart of your degree you may pay a reduced fee for thatyear.The tuition fee amount you will pay may increase slightlyyear on year as a result of inflation, as measured byRPIX**.See more information on all aspects of studentfinance relating to Newcastle University.**RPIX is a measure of inflation in the UK, equivalent to allthe items in the Retail Price Index excluding mortgageinterest payments.

Scholarships and Financial Support (UKstudents)

You may be eligible for one of a range of NewcastleUniversity Scholarships in addition to government financialsupport.Newcastle University ScholarshipsGovernment financial support

Scholarships and Financial Support (EUstudents)

You may be eligible for one of a range of NewcastleUniversity Scholarships in addition to government financialsupport.Newcastle University ScholarshipsGovernment financial support

Scholarships and Financial Support(International students)

We offer our Vice-Chancellor's InternationalScholarships and Vice-Chancellor's ExcellenceScholarships to eligible international students.We also offer International Family Discounts which areavailable for all international students with a close familymember who has graduated from or is now studying atNewcastle University.Some of our subject scholarships and sportsscholarships are also available for international students.

Apply

Applying to Newcastle Universitythrough UCASTo apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle you mustuse the online application system managed by theUniversities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

UCAS codes for Newcastle University

• institution name - NEWC• institution code - N21

UCAS buzzwordAsk your teacher or adviser from your school or college forthe UCAS buzzword. You need the buzzword when youregister on the Apply system. This makes it clear whichschool or college you are applying from.

All UK schools and colleges and a small number of EU andinternational establishments are registered with UCAS.

If you are applying independently, or are applying from aschool or college which is not registered to manageapplications, you will still use the Apply system. You will notneed a buzzword.

Making your applicationOn the UCAS website you can also find out more about:

• application deadlines and other important dates• offers and tracking your application

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Application decisions and enquiriesFind out more about our admissions process and who tocontact if you need help with your application.

Picturesque Newcastle Quayside at night.