BSc (Hons) Biology

Summary 2012/13

• Discover how Biology influences modern society from cloning to the decline in biodiversity, combining tradition with exciting new developments;
• Dedicated learning facilities for Ecology, Biology and Environmental Chemistry;
• Learn in small, friendly groups with experienced and supportive academic staff.

These are exciting times for Biologists. We live in a world of unprecedented advances in the biological sciences. Biology is one of the central foundations of modern society. The subject underpins developments in areas as diverse as health, medicine, food and the environment and is a major influence on the way societies live and will develop. It is an extremely broad subject ranging from the molecular to the planetary.

Students on the programme acquire knowledge of the breadth of life and its mechanisms with an appreciation of the issues biological developments are presenting to society. Our biology degree also combines technical, analytical and communication abilities in a manner that makes our graduates extremely employable.

2012 Entry Requirements

240 UCAS tariff points, normally to include Biology or a related subject, plus GCSE Mathematics at grade C or equivalent.

Details

Who is this course for?

If you're looking for a Biosciences degree that combines the best of the traditions of the subject with the excitement of current developments, then this degree programme is for you. We will provide a challenging, enjoyable and informative course and give you the basis of a career in the subject or in many other areas of graduate employment.

What will I gain from this programme?

The Biology programme enables you to participate in the exciting, ongoing developments in biology and equips you with a comprehensive range of biological skills as well as general graduate level transferable skills and knowledge. The programme centres on four distinct strands within the subject: ecology, evolution and genetics, taxonomy and biodiversity, and physiology.

What will I study?

Studying Biology at Edge Hill encompasses the breadth of the discipline, spanning all levels of biological organisation from the molecular, cellular and organismal through to the ecology of populations, communities and global perspectives.

You have the opportunity to study a range of aspects of modern Biology from microorganisms to humans, from molecules to cells, and from the perspective of the development, ecology and behaviour or organisms. You will have the option of following a number of distinct interlocking strands within the subject including evolution and genetics, human biology, biodiversity, the environment, and marine and freshwater biology.

In Year 3, your disseration will help you develop and apply a range of research and transferable skills in the planning, execution and reporting of an individual research project.

How will I study?

The programme has a strong practical base. Learning involves lectures, practicals, tutorials and fieldwork. The local area has a wide range of terrestrial and aquatic habitats for fieldwork, and several of the modules involve a residential field course.

Placement

Our optional second year placement module will provide a professional setting in which you can apply the knowledge and skills acquired in your other modules and is five weeks in duration. The module is often utilised by students to gain experience in a branch of biology in which they are considering a career.

Who will be teaching me?

We have highly experienced and knowledgeable staff who take pride in the quality of their teaching. All our staff are research active, which means that they keep up to date with current developments in their areas of interest and pass this knowledge onto their students. We are a friendly and approachable department where you won't get lost in the crowd and we respond to our students' needs.

How will I be assessed?

Modules are assessed by a mixture of coursework and examinations which never count for more than 60% of the marks for any module. A number of modules are assessed by coursework only, which may include practical portfolios, essays, project reports, field notebooks, and individual and group oral presentations.

What are my career prospects?

The knowledge, skills and personal attributes gained from the programme will enable graduates to compete successfully for a wide variety of biological and wider graduate employment or to engage with lifelong learning, research and enquiry.

Career paths include laboratory and field-based scientific enquiry, ecologist, environmental consultancy, environmental management, environmental protection, management and countryside ranger. You will also be well placed for postgraduate study and to train for a career in teaching by completing a PGCE.

A Great Study Environment

Based in 160 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, the Ormskirk Campus is a unique and inspirational place to study. Industry standard resources and cutting edge technology combine to make an interactive and highly advanced teaching and learning environment. Everything you could want is on one site with 25 acres of sport and leisure facilities, more than 1,000 rooms in halls of residence and fantastic modern spaces in which you can study and socialise.

The University library gives you access to thousands of books, journals, online resources and extensive PC and media provision. You'll get all the support you need to succeed, reflected in Edge Hill University being ranked in the top two in England for students' personal development, and the top three in the country for assessment and feedback, in the 2011 National Student Survey. The University is also featured in the top four in England for graduate employment.

How do I apply?

Apply online through UCAS at www.ucas.ac.uk.

See our How to Apply pages for more information on the application process and our Admissions criteria.

Fees and Finance

For academic year 2012/13, Edge Hill University will charge £9,000 for full-time BA, BSc and LLB degrees. Eligible students will not have to pay upfront for their tuition. The cost of tuition will be paid by a loan which you will only start to repay once you have finished the course and are earning over £21,000.

Eligible full-time students can also apply for a maintenance grant, subject to household income, and a non-means-tested loan to help with living costs.

Edge Hill University offers a range of scholarships for prospective full-time students. These include £2,000 Entrance Scholarships rewarding determination, commitment and achievement in creative arts, performing arts, sport and volunteering. Eligible entrants with outstanding grades are recognised through the £1,000 High Achievers Scholarship.

The University will also be offering awards, worth £3,000 in cash benefits and fee/accommodation waivers for academic year 2012/13, to eligible prospective full-time students through the National Scholarship Programme.

For more information on scholarships, including eligibility criteria for each award, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/scholarships.

To find out more about fees, grants and loans for academic year 2012/13, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/undergradfees2012.

Please note, the above information is for UK and eligible EU students only. International students should check the fees and finance information at www.edgehill.ac.uk/internationalfees2012.

Not got the entry requirements?

Students returning to education may present their previous experience in work (paid or unpaid) to support their application.

Students with relevant study through either a professional body or appropriate academic course can apply to join the programme at an advanced stage.

If you do not have a Mathematics GCSE, or lack the required grade, you can sit an Edge Hill equivalency test to gain the equivalent qualification.

For personalised advice based on your circumstances, please contact us or come to an event.

Where can I find out more?

If you would like to receive a copy of our prospectus or be kept updated about forthcoming events, contact the Course Information, Advice and Guidance Team by emailing study@edgehill.ac.uk or calling 01695 657000.

If you want to attend one of our open events held throughout the year, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/opendays to book your place.

You will also find Edge Hill University staff at many national careers fairs and UCAS events.

Still want more?

If you have any questions you would like to ask the programme leader about this course, please contact:

• Dr Ian Powell, Department of Natural, Geographical and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP
• Tel: 01695 584487
• Email: powelli@edgehill.ac.uk

Overseas students should visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/international or email international@edgehill.ac.uk for further information.

Modules

Year 1

Biodiversity provides an overview of the ways in which biologists classify the variety of life and its evolutionary relationships. The course also underpins any identification work which you may undertake in years 2 and 3.

Ecology introduces some basic concepts in ecology through practical work in the field. It covers the basic skills required for ecological fieldwork, including plant and animal identification, survey techniques and data handling, and uses field studies to build a picture of how a natural community works.

Freshwater Ecology introduces methods for surveying freshwater communities and biomonitoring of the aquatic environment. It is based on a residential field course, usually in the Lake District.

Cellular Form and Function provides an introduction to cellular physiology and biochemistry. Through a range of practical activities you will examine the molecular components that determine the structure, biochemical nature and physiology of different cells and will develop essential skills and confidence in scientific laboratory techniques. This module provides you with the background to understand biological phenomena at a variety of levels, from molecular through cellular, to complement the organ, whole organism and ecosystem levels covered in other year 1 modules.

Human Body Systems focuses on developing your knowledge of the structure and function of the human body and your understanding of the inter-relationship between the systems of the body in the context of human health and disease.

Biology in Society will explore the nature of biological enquiry, the ways that biological knowledge develops, the contribution biology makes to society and the influence society has on both the speed and direction of research in the biological sciences.

Year 2

Research Methods in Biology is a compulsory module designed to develop essential biological research methods and data analysis so that you have a sound base for your future choice of dissertation research in a broad range of biological fields. It begins with sessions on experimental design and analysis with varied types of data, following which you will design a study of your own in small groups on a field course.

Marine Biology investigates marine communities on shores and in deeper waters (using a research vessel) during a residential field course. In addition to developing further your field skills, you will have the opportunity to examine and identify animal and plant species found only in marine environments, and to understand their patterns of distribution.

Biogeography examines spatial and temporal patterns of living organisms over the Earth’s surface and highlights fundamental processes and factors which determine these patterns such as climate, evolutionary history, continental drift, area, isolation, succession and disturbance. You will explore themes such as biodiversity and the history and development of ecological communities through time throughout the module and develop an understanding of human impacts such as the effects of habitat fragmentation and invasive alien species.

Cellular Genetics provides a coverage of how genetic variation at the DNA and chromosomal level leads to variation in the phenotype and the potential consequences of this variation. This is a fundamental feature of life and central to any understanding of biology.

Field Botany immerses you in a detailed experience of plant identification and surveying through field and laboratory work. Such skills are in increasing demand in both the government and private sectors.

Biology and Disease examines the classic causes of disease and considers how diseases influence normal physiology. You will investigate diseases caused by external factors, such as invading organisms, or those caused by internal dysfunctions, such as specific gene abnormalities, autoimmune diseases or environmental factors.

Environmental Physiology develops your understanding of the physiological mechanisms in animals and plants which are affected by environmental stress. Practical lab studies will help you to understand the impacts of the environment on organisms and to appreciate how environmental factors limit what organisms can do.

Placement provides you with a professional setting in which you can apply the knowledge and skills acquired in your other modules. The placement is five weeks duration and provides an ideal opportunity to gain experience in a branch of biology in which you are considering a future career.

Human Population Ecology explores some of the significant questions of the future that are posed by our population reaching seven billion. The module investigates the historical patterns of human population growth and takes an ecological perspective on our resource needs and environmental impacts. This will lead you to the development of the concepts of sustainability and environmental protection.

Year 3

Dissertation is a compulsory module. It is widely regarded as the pinnacle of undergraduate academic achievement as it enables you to draw heavily on your subject knowledge and understanding while at the same time putting into practice the practical skills developed during the degree. You will develop your initial idea into a suitable project, undertake the practical work, summarise and analyse the data appropriately and then place it in the wider context of the subject.

Biodiversity and Conservation is a field-based module providing you with an opportunity for a detailed study of habitats and conservation issues at protected sites. A diverse range of management issues across a range of organisms will be explored through fieldwork in varied habitats. This will be placed in the context of conservation legislation and wider pressures on the landscape.

Tropical Ecology examines the unique nature of tropical habitats, including forests, savannas and coral reefs, and explores why tropical habitats are so species rich. Threats to these ecosystems, such as deforestation and exploitation, are examined, with an emphasis placed on the importance of incorporating local cultures into addressing conservation problems.

Ecological Genetics outlines the recent progress made in the assessment of genetic variation within populations. You will study the genetic differentiation of populations using modern molecular genetic techniques and receive a grounding in some of the key genetic issues in society.

Environmental Change provides an overview of the biological and chemical impacts of pollutants released into the environment. The module will concentrate on techniques used to measure biological effects both in the past and present to reveal trends in the impact of extensive pollution, such as acidification, eutrophication and climate change on natural habitats.

Epidemiology is the study of factors affecting the health and illness of populations. You will investigate how disease patterns are monitored both nationally and globally, how changes in disease patterns are studied and how public health strategies are formulated. This is an important contemporary field of biology, with globalisation resulting in the spread of communicable diseases at a faster rate than previously the case and lifestyle and environmental issues leading to new disease spectra in the more developed countries.

Current Issues in Biology considers the role of biologists in recent and current projects that often involve controversy between science and society, such as the development of DNA fingerprinting, the Human Genome Project, genetically modified organisms and stem cell research. Such work shows that biologists do not work in isolation from society and that complex moral and ethical issues are involved. This module explores how topics like these involve complex issues which do not have a simple right or wrong answer. Solutions need to be underpinned by sound, scientific thinking, but must also be aware of the social dimension.