Natural Sciences (Life and Physical Sciences) with Foundation Year BSc, 4-5 years

Foundation Year

Modules

• Mathematics 1
• Waves and Matter
• Principles of Biological Science
• Principles of Earth Science and Earth Systems
• Introduction to Chemistry (double module)
• Academic Support
• Introductory Data Analysis

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 1

The interdisciplinary nature of the course begins in Year 1, where you will cover a range of topics, as well as the role of science in ensuring a sustainable society. You will be introduced to key laboratory, computing and research-based problem solving skills.

Modules

• Principles of Science: Bonds, Molecules and Cells (double module)
• Laboratory, Computing and Scientific Skills 1 (double module)
• Mathematics for Science 1
• Science, Society and Sustainability
• Networks and Circuits
• Biophysics, Physiology and Metabolism

This is the same as Year 1 of the MSci.

At the end of Year 1, you will choose one of four pathways. These have some shared modules and some specialist modules. The pathways available are:

• Chemical Sciences
• Physical Sciences
• Molecular and Cellular Science
• Ecological and Zoological Science

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.

Chemical Sciences Pathway

The Chemical Sciences pathway is the central hub that keeps you at the interface of physical and biological sciences and connected to all the options available to you as a Natural Scientist. It will appeal if you like not only grounding chemistry in physical chemistry, but also explaining biology with biological chemistry. Your learning will span the structures and transformations that bridge from atoms into cells. You will have the opportunity to study and undertake research projects in chemistry for health and medicine; chemistry for energy and the environment; and chemistry for technology and materials. By the end of your degree, you will have acquired a molecular view of the natural world.

Year 1

The first year is common to all four Natural Sciences pathways – see ‘Year 1’ tab for details.

Year 2

Core Natural Sciences modules

• Astrophysics, Astrochemistry and Astrobiology
• Evolution
• Laboratory, Mathematical and Scientific Skills 2

Specialised modules

• Introductory Analytical and Physical Chemistry
• Introductory Organic and Inorganic Chemistry

Between Years 2 and 3 you can spend a Year in Industry or a Year Abroad (see separate tab).

Year 3

Core Natural Sciences modules

• Molecular Analysis and Design
• Journal of Interdisciplinary Science Topics

Specialised modules

• Spectroscopy and Physical Chemistry
• Organic and Inorganic Chemistry

Plus your Research Project 3

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.

Physical Sciences Pathway

The Physical Sciences pathway is the most mathematical of all of the options. This pathway is ideal if you like not only extracting trends from data, but also constructing predictive models that explain the behaviour of the world around you. You will study the fundamental laws that underpin everything that surrounds us, from the sub-atomic scale up to interstellar scales. You will have the opportunity to study and undertake research projects in Earth Observation, Space Systems, Astrophysics and Mathematical/Computational modelling.

Year 1

The first year is common to all four Natural Sciences pathways – see ‘Year 1’ tab for details.

Year 2

Core Natural Sciences modules

• Astrophysics, Astrochemistry and Astrobiology
• Evolution
• Laboratory, Mathematical and Scientific Skills 2

Specialised modules

• Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism
• Light and Matter, Waves and Quanta

Between Years 2 and 3 you can spend a Year in Industry or a Year Abroad (see separate tab).

Year 3

Core Natural Sciences modules

• Molecular Analysis and Design
• Journal of Interdisciplinary Science Topics

Specialised modules

• Electromagnetic Fields and Relativity, Quantum Physics and Particles
• Condensed Matter and Statistical Physics

Plus your Research Project 3

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.

Molecular and Cellular Science Pathway

The Molecular and Cellular Science pathway provides you with a broad understanding of genetics, biochemistry, physiology, and knowledge of the mechanisms behind human disease. You will study how the systems of life are organised and controlled at the molecular and cellular level, as well as the physiology of the human body. Genomics will be approached through both molecular genetics and bioinformatics analysis. You will also have focused studies in evolution, origins of disease and the molecular basis of cancer. This breadth and depth of knowledge will give you access to a wide range of research projects in Biological Sciences.

Year 1

The first year is common to all four Natural Sciences pathways – see ‘Year 1’ tab for details.

Year 2

Core Natural Sciences modules

• Astrophysics, Astrochemistry and Astrobiology
• Evolution
• Laboratory, Mathematical and Scientific Skills 2

Specialised modules

• The Molecules of Life – An Introduction to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience

Between Years 2 and 3 you can spend a Year in Industry or a Year Abroad (see separate tab).

Year 3

Core Natural Sciences modules

• Molecular Analysis and Design
• Journal of Interdisciplinary Science Topics

Specialised modules

• Molecular Cell Biology and Genomes
• Bioinformatics and Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids

Plus your Research Project 3

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.

Ecological and Zoological Science Pathway

The Ecological and Zoological Science pathway is the option for you if you want to understand how organisms interact with each other and the natural environment. You will study how the world is structured - from the genetic level to the ecosystem level; and how animals function - from the neurological level to the population level. A key component of this pathway are field skills, which are developed through a range of local and international field trips (currently Leicestershire, Devon and Brazil). By the end of this pathway, you will have the ability to design and conduct field studies, as well as the statistical skills to analyse experimental data. In your final year, you will carry out an independent research project, which can be conducted locally with our environmental management team or internationally with a partner organisation.

Year 1

The first year is common to all four Natural Sciences pathways – see ‘Year 1’ tab for details.

Year 2

Core Natural Sciences modules

• Astrophysics, Astrochemistry and Astrobiology
• Evolution
• Laboratory, Mathematical and Scientific Skills 2

Specialised modules

• The Molecules of Life – An Introduction to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Genetics, Biodiversity and Behaviour

Between Years 2 and 3 you can spend a Year in Industry or a Year Abroad (see separate tab).

Year 3

Core Natural Sciences modules

• Molecular Analysis and Design
• Journal of Interdisciplinary Science Topics

Specialised modules

• Genomes and Development
• Neurobiology, Animal Behaviour and Evolution in the Field

Plus your Research Project 3

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 Abroad or Year in Industry (optional)

If you want to, you can spend the third year of the BSc - which will be your fourth year at Leicester - 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 four 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.