Year 1

In your first year of study, you'll take classes with students from different subjects within Biological Sciences. You'll study modules that cover a wide range of topics, including biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, neuroscience, physiology and zoology. This knowledge will introduce the fundamental principles of Biology, which will help you find the area you’re interested in, so you can focus on it in your second year.

Modules

• The Molecules of Life: An Introduction to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (double module)
• The Cell: An Introduction to Cell Biology and Microbiology (double module)
• From Individuals to Populations: An Introduction to Genetics
• Multicellular Organisation: An Introduction to Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience (double module)
• Biodiversity and Behaviour

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year 2

When you move into Year Two, you will have one mandatory module, Research Topic, which will provide you with a solid introduction to the process of research in Biological Sciences. You will then have a choice of seven module pathways, which are listed below. 

Core module

• Research Skills 1
• Research Skills 2

Option modules

Choose three option modules from:

• Genomes
• Physiology and Pharmacology
• Physiology of Excitable Cells
• Principles of Microbiology
• Molecular Cell Biology
• Global Change Biology and Conservation
• Introduction to Python programming for Bioscientists
• Medical Microbiology

Then choose three option modules from:

• Contemporary Techniques in Biological Data Analysis 
• Exercise Physiology and Pharmacology
• Genes, Development and Inheritance
• Immunology and Eukaryotic Microbiology
• Immunology and Eukaryotic Microbiology (with science enterprise trip)
• Bioinformatics
• Behavioural Neurobiology
• Neurobiology and Animal Behaviour
• A Field Guide to Evolution
• From Genes to Proteins
• Protein Control in Cellular Regulation

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year in Industry or Abroad (optional)

If you want to, you can spend your third year studying abroad at one of our partner institutions or working in an industrial placement. Alternatively, you can opt to continue studying at the University and complete your degree in three years.

Year Abroad

We’ll make sure you have everything you need for your future career: not just by awarding you a high quality degree, but also by helping you to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to make your mark in the world as a Citizen of Change. One way you can do this is by opting to take a Year Abroad between Years 2 and 3 of your degree.

Studying abroad is not just for people who are interested in travelling and meeting new people. It is about acquiring life skills that are becoming increasingly significant for a wide range of jobs in our modern globalised society. Whether you go on to a career in the private, public or third sector - or plough your own furrow as an entrepreneur – you will find the experience invaluable.

For more information, including a list of destinations, please visit our Study Abroad website.

Please note

• A year spent abroad still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.
• You may be eligible for a travel grant from Student Finance England.
• Places are offered on a competitive basis, and eligibility is dependent on your academic performance in Years 1 and 2.
• Language courses, at beginners or advanced level, are available through our Languages at Leicester scheme.

Year in Industry

An industrial placement is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience of laboratory work - and will normally be a paid position, more than offsetting the additional cost of the extra year.

Industrial placements are limited and are awarded through a competitive selection process, based on your performance in your first year. Previous students have worked for pharmaceutical companies such as AstraZeneca, Oxford Biomedica and GlaxoSmithKline, and in research institutions such as the Animal Health Institute and Kew Gardens.

A year in industry still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Final Year

Option modules

Choose two option modules from:

• Evolutionary Genetics
• Gene Expression: Molecular Basis and Medical Relevance
• Molecular and Cellular Immunology
• Human Genetics
• Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology
• Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience
• Comparative Neurobiology
• Microbial Biotechnology
• Structural Biology
• Subtropical Physiology and Ecology
• Biodiversity in Practice
• Introduction to Astrobiology and the Origins of Life
• Sustainability Enterprise Partnership Project

Then choose one pair of option modules from:

• Experimental Research Project A plus Experimental Research Project B (double module)
• Education Research Project A plus Education Research Project B (double module)
• Analytical Research Project (double module) plus one additional option module from the list below

Finally choose three option modules from:

• Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology
• Microbial Pathogenesis and Genomics
• Human and Environmental Microbiology
• Neuroscience Futures
• Physiology, Pharmacology and Behaviour
• Cellular Physiology of the Cardiovascular System
• Conservation and Ecological Genetics
• Behavioural Ecology
• Sustainability Enterprise Partnership Project

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.