Biology and Biosciences Courses

Biology student Megan Quail stands in a biosciences laboratory, wearing a white lab coat.

Research? Field work? Lab work at a pharmaceutical company? Biology and biosciences at Edge Hill prepares you for a range of roles where you can make a real impact.

With academics making discoveries in biomedical science, ecology, taxonomy and microbiology, you’ll be immersed in a rich research environment. When you’re not writing lab reports, we might ask you to create educational web pages, curate a museum collection, or even join us on a field trip (paid for by us).

From sub-cellular components to complete ecosystems, biology is the study of life. With strong links to the Royal Society of Biology, our courses help you explore all aspects of the subject. Carry out lab work in top facilities and undertake practical work at home and abroad, on the ground or even in the tree canopy.

Our researchers explore biomedical science, ecology, taxonomy and microbiology. You’ll be the first to hear about breakthroughs, whether it’s a new way to protect butterflies or an antibiotic discovery. Each year, you’ll complete your own research projects too, on everything from genetic connectivity in mountain plants to the molecular basis of skin diseases. You might even present your work at a conference for similar specialists.

As well as traditional exams and lab reports, we’ll challenge you with plenty of other projects and practical work. You might curate museum collections, produce an animation showing a biological process, or join us on field trips (paid for by the University).

Our BSc (Hons) Biology degree is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, and graduates become associate members. This opens up doors to many career development opportunities.
To help you apply your knowledge, we keep fieldwork at the heart of all our programmes. Students on all our courses start their research journey with a week-long field trip, usually abroad, while some also explore tree-top environments with an intensive climbing course.
Benefit from a whole host of opportunities: former students have spent time working in a genetics lab in Chicago, a Sydney hospital, and the University of Tartu in Estonia, assisting in biological research.

Courses

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Biology

BSc (Hons)

Join a degree accredited by the Royal Society of Biology and discover the contribution of biology to modern society, from conservation to cloning, with the opportunity to carry out fieldwork in a rich diversity of local habitats.

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UCAS Code: C100

Course Length: 3 Years Full-Time
6 Years Part-Time

Location: Edge Hill University

Biomedical Science

BSc (Hons)

Place yourself at the forefront of health and disease investigation and discover the biomechanical processes that occur in the human body on a degree underpinned by extensive laboratory experience.

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UCAS Code: B910

Course Length: 3 Years Full-Time
6 Years Part-Time

Location: Edge Hill University

Biotechnology

BSc (Hons)

Position yourself at the forefront of developments in genetic engineering and microbiology, undertaking extensive practical work and exploring the industrial applications of techniques.

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UCAS Code: B217

Course Length: 3 Years Full-Time
6 Years Part-Time

Location: Edge Hill University

Ecology and Conservation

BSc (Hons)

Gain an understanding of current developments in ecology and conservation, exhibiting a firm grasp of their underlying principles, as you undertake detailed fieldwork in a rich diversity of habitats.

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UCAS Code: C180

Course Length: 3 Years Full-Time
6 Years Part-Time

Location: Edge Hill University

Genetics

BSc (Hons)

Explore the links between human genetics and disease and trace the evolution of biodiversity, undertaking extensive practical work and developing skills in research and the interpretation of scientific data.

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UCAS Code: SRIV

Course Length: 3 Years Full-Time
6 Years Part-Time

Location: Edge Hill University

Plant Science

BSc (Hons)

Examine the structure, physiology and diversity of plants and gain an appreciation of their importance to human wellbeing on a degree featuring extensive practical work and two overseas field courses.

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UCAS Code: CC22

Course Length: 3 Years Full-Time
6 Years Part-Time

Location: Edge Hill University

STEM Foundation Year

Develop the key transferable skills and subject-specific knowledge needed to join science-based degrees in the subject areas of biology, computer engineering, computer science or geography at Edge Hill University.

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UCAS Code: Varies by pathway

Course Length: 4 Years Full-Time

Location: Edge Hill University

Course Name	Qualification	UCAS Code
Biology	BSc (Hons)	C100
Biomedical Science	BSc (Hons)	B910
Biotechnology	BSc (Hons)	B217
Ecology and Conservation	BSc (Hons)	C180
Genetics	BSc (Hons)	SRIV
Plant Science	BSc (Hons)	CC22
STEM Foundation Year	Not Applicable	Varies by pathway

Student Views

We learned to climb trees safely with a canopy cameraman who had worked on several of David Attenborough’s programmes!

Megan Quail

BSc (Hons) Biology

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Biology Latest

EHU Insight on The Conversation

Facilities

A student checks the heath of a plant that is being used for an experiment on plant water relations. The Biosciences building incorporates impressive, modern laboratories, offering exciting and highly relevant practical experience in some of the best equipped facilities in the country.

Resources include fluorescence and scanning electron microscopes, DNA extraction and analysis equipment, climate controlled insectaries and specialist IT facilities. A dedicated microbiology suite is located in the adjacent Tech Hub.

A number of the leading nature reserves in the country are in close proximity. You will be taught within a short travelling distance of impressive field sites such as one of the finest saltmarsh and dune systems in Europe, restored mires of international importance, hay meadows and limestone woodlands. Just a short walk from the University is a farm sympathetically managed for biodiversity, as well as a mixed woodland.

Biosciences Building 360 Virtual Tour

External View

Bioscience Laboratory

Gallery

A student selects epiphytes (plants that grow on other plants) for an experiment on plant water relations.

A student checks the heath of a plant that is being used for an experiment on plant water relations.

Two students discuss the pros and cons of using different surfaces to grow plants as part of an experiment on plant water relations.

A student sprays water onto tropical Bromeliaceae (Pineapple family) in the Plant Science laboratory.

A student collects seeds from tropical Bromeliaceae (Pineapple family) in the Plant Science laboratory.

A lecturer demonstrates to a small group of students how to use plant turgor sensors.

A student measures the roots of plants that were grown under different drought conditions in the Plant Science laboratory.

A student attaches a turgor probe to a fern leaf to measure plant water relations.

Students work on tropical Bromeliaceae (Pineapple family) in the Plant Science laboratory.

Students handle a model of the human body while learning about the respiratory system during a Human Biology lesson.

A student looks down a microscope while undertaking research in the Plant Science laboratory.

A student looks down a microscope during a practical session in a laboratory.

A student demonstrates genomic DNA extraction in a laboratory.

Students undertake practical experiments, pouring liquid into a small container, in a laboratory.

Students look down microscopes during a practical session in a laboratory.

Students use an anaerobic chamber, an atmosphere control unit which is used when working with oxygen sensitive materials, in a laboratory.

A student analyses samples using gas chromatography.

A student refers to a chart to determine the carbon source preference of newly isolated bacteria.

Students carefully transfer their Western blotting gel loaded with protein samples.

Students prepare Blotting chambers for protein analysis for their biomedical research projects.

Students learn how to analyse proteins isolated from cells in culture.

Student prepare paraffin sections with a semi-automated microtome.

Freshly prepared paraffin sections are placed on a hot plate. A student labels samples while they dry off.

A student is working at the microtome. A sample has been cut and is now being collected from the floating bath to be mounted on a slide.

Students wearing personal protection, including a face mask, work at the safety cabinets in the cell culture room.

A student wearing a face mask studies a cell culture vessel for close inspection.

A student examines cells through an inverted microscope.

Students work at the safety cabinet in cell culture, conducting routine procedures including pipetting.

Students performing various routine tasks, including pipetting and using microscopes, in a cell culture laboratory.

A student analyses a stained tissue sample using a Leica DMi8 fully-automated fluorescence microscope.

A student works in the Latrielle Invertebrate Ecology Laboratory, studying the beetle collection.

A student uses the centrifuge to precipitate cultured bacteria.

A student sets a Polymerase chain reaction to make copies of a DNA segment.

A student looks at bacterial growth on Petri dishes.

A student looks at bacterial growth in liquid culture.

A student looks at an antimicrobial assay result.

A student loads the incubator with bacterial Petri dishes.

Students receive instruction on tree canopy climbing.

A student experiences tree canopy climbing.

Two students participate in tree canopy climbing.

Four students conduct fieldwork in woodland near the University.

Students conduct fieldwork in woodland near the University.

Students conduct a small mammal trapping during fieldwork in woodland near the University.

Open Days and Virtual Events

Prospective students and their family members tour the Biosciences facilities during an open day. If you are considering studying at Edge Hill University, the best way to gain an insight into the student experience is to discover our stunning campus for yourself by attending an open day.

You can tour the campus, including the halls of residence, with a student guide. There will also be opportunities to attend presentations and view subject facilities.

Alternatively, our virtual open day pages offer the chance to discover everything that Edge Hill University has to offer and find out more about any subjects of interest, including biology and biosciences, through a series of online activities.

Book your place at an open day

View our virtual open day pages