STUDY
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Institution code: | S82 |
---|---|
UCAS code: | C760 |
Start date: | September 2023 |
Duration: | Three years full-time, five years part-time |
Location: | Ipswich |
Typical Offer: | 112 UCAS tariff points or above, BBC (A-Level), DMM (BTEC), Merit (T Level) |
Institution code: | S82 |
---|---|
UCAS code: | C760 |
Start date: | September 2023 |
Duration: | Three years full-time, five years part-time |
---|---|
Location: | Ipswich |
Typical Offer: | 112 UCAS tariff points or above, BBC (A-Level), DMM (BTEC), Merit (T Level) |
Institution code: | S82 |
---|---|
UCAS code: | C760 |
Start date: | September 2024 |
Duration: | Three years full-time, five years part-time |
Location: | Ipswich |
Typical Offer: | 112 UCAS tariff points or above, BBC (A-Level), DMM (BTEC), Merit (T Level) |
Institution code: | S82 |
---|---|
UCAS code: | C760 |
Start date: | September 2024 |
Duration: | Three years full-time, five years part-time |
---|---|
Location: | Ipswich |
Typical Offer: | 112 UCAS tariff points or above, BBC (A-Level), DMM (BTEC), Merit (T Level) |
Overview
This course is a well-rounded programme in the field of biological sciences and allows you to select pathways and specialisms matched to your interest and career aspirations.
We have built two streams into the degree course. The Blue stream is a collection of optional modules that are characterised by human biology and lead to potential careers in human based biology such as medical research, pharmacology, regenerative medicine and clinical sciences.
The Green stream is a collection of optional modules that are characterised by animal and plant biology and lead to potential careers in biological aspects of global climate change, sustainability, biotechnology and Agri-Tech.
Irrespective of the stream, core competences necessary to become a biological scientist are covered in the programme. There is also progression from one level to another. This begins with descriptions and explanations at levels there and four, moving on to the application of knowledge and some evaluation at level five. By level six you will be interpreting information and using this in an applied way to solve problems through synthesis of new views and ideas.
The course covers life from viruses and microbes through to plants, animals and humans; and discusses how each of these co-exists and can be utilised and managed for the greater good. We believe that this programme generates skilled graduates that would be comfortable and competent in a wide range of jobs in the growing life science sector.
Our students benefit from close working relationships with a highly qualified and research-active teaching team, drawn from UK and International universities.
The academic staff at the University of Suffolk aim to get to know every student as an individual. This may occur through the interactive process of teaching and learning, through tutorials and focused academic support.
Further information about the university's relationship with the Royal Society of Biology is available in the PSRB register.
Header image shows Human Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes (HFLS) and Osteoarthritis-(OA)-HFLS Cells treated with a green fluorescent vector (Sendai virus EmGFP) prior to being reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Images were taken using fluorescence microscopy at x20 objective; scale bars: 200 μm. The image was taken in one of the labs in the James Hehir Building.
Course Modules
Our undergraduate programmes are delivered as 'block and blend' — more information can be found on Why Suffolk? You can also watch our Block and Blend video.
The BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences course has been developed to produce students with a wide range of knowledge and skills that enhance employability and stimulate an interest in the subject that will facilitate the drive for life-long career in the biological sciences.
Downloadable information regarding all University of Suffolk courses, including Key Facts, Course Aims, Course Structure and Assessment, is available in the Definitive Course Record.
Timetable for students commencing Sept 2023This module will investigate the fundamentals of biochemistry starting from basic atomic structure and bonding to then focus on the structure, function and metabolism of macromolecules. Students with differing levels of previous knowledge of chemistry and biology will be introduced to the range of processes taking place within the body at a molecular level.
Cells are the basic unit of all living organisms. In this module, students will examine the structure and function of cells, and the signals that control eukaryotic cell division, adhesion, migration, and programmed cell death. Students will analyse how cells contribute to animal physiology and disease, and be introduced to the techniques used to study cells in the laboratory.
DNA is arguably the most important macromolecule in life and this module is designed to provide a solid foundation of knowledge on which students can build throughout the Bioscience degree programme. Beginning with the fundamental concepts of DNA and it’s role in heredity and the genetic code, the module will build up through expression of genotype to phenotype and the control of gene expression.
This module will provide students with the core skills required to carry out basic scientific procedures and communicate their research in an appropriate scientific format. The module is based on a series of practical sessions and is designed to develop the skills required for subsequent advanced modules on the course.
This module follows chronologically the development from biomolecules and the first basic cells through to the more complex organisms such as hominids and modern plants. Students will gain an appreciation of the process of evolution through natural selection which will furnish them with knowledge to underpin much of their further studies.
A thorough understanding of human physiology and maintenance of homeostasis are key facets in a range of scientific disciplines. In this module, students will study the way in which different cells, tissues, organs and organ systems contribute to homeostasis from a theoretical perspective.
In this module, we will examine what controls the distribution and abundance of organisms, how energy is transferred through ecosystems and explore how the principles of ecology underpin effective conservation practice. The module will include field trips to a diverse range of habitats and introduce key surveying and ecological assessment skills.
Effective scientists need to understand how experimentation, qualitative and quantitative analysis drives science forward via the process of attempted falsification and how this is quantified and presented. This module prepares students for further study and employment by providing an understanding of inferential statistical analysis of scientific data. It will enable students to understand, interpret and apply most of the statistical techniques that they will see in published articles and allow them to emulate such analysis in their own work.
This module prepares students for further study and employment by providing an understanding of what science is and how it works. It introduces students to the principles of scientific research and the planning and design of experiments. Students will learn how to effectively analyse literature and communicate science in a variety of methods.
The module aims to set an introduction to some key properties and applications of selected microbial organisms. Students will learn about the structural, biological and molecular characteristics of major microorganisms, to include bacteria, viruses, fungi and protists. In addition, the significance of microbes in health and disease will be investigated, also with the support of current research literature.
This module introduces students to the principles of nucleic acids manipulation and cloning. The module will include a thorough background on DNA handling, manipulation and analysis. The module will then detail the standard techniques by which DNA can be differently inserted into prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and its expression monitored. Classic techniques will be presented together with the more advanced, cutting-edge technologies and approaches.
This module has been conceived to provide students with the opportunity to enhance their employability skills and experience through undertaking a 100 hour period of work-based experience in a field related to their degree programme. This module can also be undertaken by students who are already in relevant employment, thereby enhancing their career development.
This module is designed to review the nature of and causation of diseases, by considering environmental, genetic, and biologic factors and link the characteristics of disease to the signs and symptoms utilised in diagnosis. The module will also give the students the opportunity to investigate the positive and negative effects of diet on health and disease.
In this module students will explore the cellular basis of infection via pathogens and the immunological defence system the body deploys in order to prevent the development of infectious disease. The module will deal with the structure and function of the human immune system in terms of the innate and adaptive immune responses focusing on the cells and molecules involved.
Freshwater and marine ecosystems cover more than three-quarters of the Earth’s surface, however the world’s aquatic environments are increasingly under threat. In this module we will study the diverse range of life that inhabit aquatic environments and explore the issues involved in the management, conservation, and restoration of aquatic resources.
In this module you will explore the biodiversity of plants and the contribution that they make to life on Earth. You will develop knowledge of the biochemistry, cell biology and genetics of plants as well as examine the interaction between plants and species. You will develop an appreciation of the role of plants in food production and supply and how they may be managed and manipulated to do so. You will review the role of plants in mitigating climate change and maintaining sustainability.
The dissertation will provide an opportunity for individuals to develop an area of scientific interest arising from either course-based or work-based experience. The focus of the dissertation will be a research-based study, central to which will be some form of hypothesis testing or problem solving. It will enable students to utilise practical, intellectual and decision making skills in novel situations.
Students will explore the numerous career paths available for life science graduates, will gain experience of graduate recruitment processes, and will critically analyse their own skills and capabilities to develop, reflect and improve their professional career prospects. Students will be introduced to elements of bioentrepreneurship and ethics. In particular, areas such as outlining a business plan, patent application, intellectual property, clinical trials and policy making.
This module is designed to provide students with an overview of some fundamental developmental processes that lead to the formation of a multicellular organism from a single zygote, up to the gastrulation process. The module will consider some key developmental models with cellular and molecular events underpinning both development and regeneration, therefore linking core stem cell biology knowledge. In particular, the module will navigate the different characteristics, properties and applications of stem cells, with an appreciation of their mode of derivation and ethics behind it. Throughout the module the students will be challenged to critically evaluate the potential controversies in this subject area and will appraise current and developing techniques in the field.
This module will provide students with theoretical knowledge and advanced practical experience of core laboratory techniques used to carry out experimental research within the life sciences area. The module is based on a series of practical sessions and will give students experience of performing experimental work, collecting data, and interpreting and presenting results, using a range of media. Some of the practical activities presented will provide the students with an opportunity to critically reflect upon contemporary issues in the field of the life sciences including funding landscape, biotechnology business, and the process that it takes to develop experimental procedures with translational applications (‘from the bench to the bedside’), providing the ground for sharpening broader research skills.
This module is intended to allow the student to draw together a wide range of topics covered at levels 4 and 5 into the applied area of pharmacology and toxicology. This module utilizes understanding and application of biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, genetics and physiology to solve problems. The interdisciplinary nature of the field provides an ideal opportunity for students to contextualise their studies within an important progressive science.
During this module you will study the molecular, cellular, and physiological effects of common inorganic and organic pollutants and gain experience of a range of laboratory-based toxicity tests.
The basis of the module is to understand comparative physiology and morphology and how unique traits allow for adaptation to specific niches. Specific convergent evolutionary examples will identify key physiological and morphological processes using examples across the animal kingdom.
Course Modules 2024
Our undergraduate programmes are delivered as 'block and blend' — more information can be found on Why Suffolk? You can also watch our Block and Blend video.
The BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences course has been developed to produce students with a wide range of knowledge and skills that enhance employability and stimulate an interest in the subject that will facilitate the drive for life-long career in the biological sciences.
Downloadable information regarding all University of Suffolk courses, including Key Facts, Course Aims, Course Structure and Assessment, is available in the Definitive Course Record.
Timetable for students commencing Sept 2023This module will investigate the fundamentals of biochemistry starting from basic atomic structure and bonding to then focus on the structure, function and metabolism of macromolecules. Students with differing levels of previous knowledge of chemistry and biology will be introduced to the range of processes taking place within the body at a molecular level.
Cells are the basic unit of all living organisms. In this module, students will examine the structure and function of cells, and the signals that control eukaryotic cell division, adhesion, migration, and programmed cell death. Students will analyse how cells contribute to animal physiology and disease, and be introduced to the techniques used to study cells in the laboratory.
DNA is arguably the most important macromolecule in life and this module is designed to provide a solid foundation of knowledge on which students can build throughout the Bioscience degree programme. Beginning with the fundamental concepts of DNA and it’s role in heredity and the genetic code, the module will build up through expression of genotype to phenotype and the control of gene expression.
This module will provide students with the core skills required to carry out basic scientific procedures and communicate their research in an appropriate scientific format. The module is based on a series of practical sessions and is designed to develop the skills required for subsequent advanced modules on the course.
This module follows chronologically the development from biomolecules and the first basic cells through to the more complex organisms such as hominids and modern plants. Students will gain an appreciation of the process of evolution through natural selection which will furnish them with knowledge to underpin much of their further studies.
A thorough understanding of human physiology and maintenance of homeostasis are key facets in a range of scientific disciplines. In this module, students will study the way in which different cells, tissues, organs and organ systems contribute to homeostasis from a theoretical perspective.
In this module, we will examine what controls the distribution and abundance of organisms, how energy is transferred through ecosystems and explore how the principles of ecology underpin effective conservation practice. The module will include field trips to a diverse range of habitats and introduce key surveying and ecological assessment skills.
Effective scientists need to understand how experimentation, qualitative and quantitative analysis drives science forward via the process of attempted falsification and how this is quantified and presented. This module prepares students for further study and employment by providing an understanding of inferential statistical analysis of scientific data. It will enable students to understand, interpret and apply most of the statistical techniques that they will see in published articles and allow them to emulate such analysis in their own work.
This module prepares students for further study and employment by providing an understanding of what science is and how it works. It introduces students to the principles of scientific research and the planning and design of experiments. Students will learn how to effectively analyse literature and communicate science in a variety of methods.
The module aims to set an introduction to some key properties and applications of selected microbial organisms. Students will learn about the structural, biological and molecular characteristics of major microorganisms, to include bacteria, viruses, fungi and protists. In addition, the significance of microbes in health and disease will be investigated, also with the support of current research literature.
This module introduces students to the principles of nucleic acids manipulation and cloning. The module will include a thorough background on DNA handling, manipulation and analysis. The module will then detail the standard techniques by which DNA can be differently inserted into prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and its expression monitored. Classic techniques will be presented together with the more advanced, cutting-edge technologies and approaches.
This module has been conceived to provide students with the opportunity to enhance their employability skills and experience through undertaking a 100 hour period of work-based experience in a field related to their degree programme. This module can also be undertaken by students who are already in relevant employment, thereby enhancing their career development.
This module is designed to review the nature of and causation of diseases, by considering environmental, genetic, and biologic factors and link the characteristics of disease to the signs and symptoms utilised in diagnosis. The module will also give the students the opportunity to investigate the positive and negative effects of diet on health and disease.
In this module students will explore the cellular basis of infection via pathogens and the immunological defence system the body deploys in order to prevent the development of infectious disease. The module will deal with the structure and function of the human immune system in terms of the innate and adaptive immune responses focusing on the cells and molecules involved.
Freshwater and marine ecosystems cover more than three-quarters of the Earth’s surface, however the world’s aquatic environments are increasingly under threat. In this module we will study the diverse range of life that inhabit aquatic environments and explore the issues involved in the management, conservation, and restoration of aquatic resources.
In this module you will explore the biodiversity of plants and the contribution that they make to life on Earth. You will develop knowledge of the biochemistry, cell biology and genetics of plants as well as examine the interaction between plants and species. You will develop an appreciation of the role of plants in food production and supply and how they may be managed and manipulated to do so. You will review the role of plants in mitigating climate change and maintaining sustainability.
The dissertation will provide an opportunity for individuals to develop an area of scientific interest arising from either course-based or work-based experience. The focus of the dissertation will be a research-based study, central to which will be some form of hypothesis testing or problem solving. It will enable students to utilise practical, intellectual and decision making skills in novel situations.
Students will explore the numerous career paths available for life science graduates, will gain experience of graduate recruitment processes, and will critically analyse their own skills and capabilities to develop, reflect and improve their professional career prospects. Students will be introduced to elements of bioentrepreneurship and ethics. In particular, areas such as outlining a business plan, patent application, intellectual property, clinical trials and policy making.
This module is designed to provide students with an overview of some fundamental developmental processes that lead to the formation of a multicellular organism from a single zygote, up to the gastrulation process. The module will consider some key developmental models with cellular and molecular events underpinning both development and regeneration, therefore linking core stem cell biology knowledge. In particular, the module will navigate the different characteristics, properties and applications of stem cells, with an appreciation of their mode of derivation and ethics behind it. Throughout the module the students will be challenged to critically evaluate the potential controversies in this subject area and will appraise current and developing techniques in the field.
This module will provide students with theoretical knowledge and advanced practical experience of core laboratory techniques used to carry out experimental research within the life sciences area. The module is based on a series of practical sessions and will give students experience of performing experimental work, collecting data, and interpreting and presenting results, using a range of media. Some of the practical activities presented will provide the students with an opportunity to critically reflect upon contemporary issues in the field of the life sciences including funding landscape, biotechnology business, and the process that it takes to develop experimental procedures with translational applications (‘from the bench to the bedside’), providing the ground for sharpening broader research skills.
This module is intended to allow the student to draw together a wide range of topics covered at levels 4 and 5 into the applied area of pharmacology and toxicology. This module utilizes understanding and application of biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, genetics and physiology to solve problems. The interdisciplinary nature of the field provides an ideal opportunity for students to contextualise their studies within an important progressive science.
During this module you will study the molecular, cellular, and physiological effects of common inorganic and organic pollutants and gain experience of a range of laboratory-based toxicity tests.
The basis of the module is to understand comparative physiology and morphology and how unique traits allow for adaptation to specific niches. Specific convergent evolutionary examples will identify key physiological and morphological processes using examples across the animal kingdom.
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WHY SUFFOLK
16th place in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards for Best Facilities 2023
WUSCA 20235th place in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards for Career Prospects 2023
WUSCA 202314th place in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards for Student Support 2023
WUSCA 2023/prod01/channel_2/media/uniofsuffolk/website/content-assets/images/studentsx2fstaff-on-campus/studying-and-learning/Bioscience_close-up.jpg)
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements 2024/25
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Career Opportunities
Our graduates will be well placed to secure jobs as researchers working in universities, pharmaceutical and biological science companies and institutes.
- Clinical/Technical roles within NHS
- Scientific Advisory roles
- Science Sales
- Science Teacher
- Further study such as Masters or PhD
Our course also offers an optional work-experience module, as well as a placement year, allowing students to further explore and develop their professional skills and interests.
Erasmus Plus Opportunities
We are pleased to be able to offer our students an opportunity to engage in the Erasmus Plus Program. This involves conducting their final year Dissertation projects abroad at the University of Palermo, Italy. At the University of Suffolk we believe in building a positive, collaborative, international environment and our involvement in Erasmus Plus Program help us in establishing these goals.
Facilities and Resources
Our state-of-art laboratories are located in the James Hehir Building facilitate high quality practical skills teaching. As well as a standard laboratory equipment, there is a range of key specialist equipment to support the practical elements of the modules including cell and tissue culture facilities, protein analysis, histology, 3D productivity suite, cell biology equipment and molecular biology facilities.
You will have access to centrifuges, mass spectrometer, gas/liquid chromatography, tissue section/cryosection, flow cytometer, nanodrop, plate readers and PCR/RT-PCR machines, 3D printing and more. We also have excellent microscope facilities including Dissection, Fluorescent Zeiss microscopes capable of imaging live cells through time-lapse photography. In addition, we have laboratories dedicated to fish, mouse and human cell/tissue culture and the tools for analysis of these.
Alongside the state of art laboratory facilities, students have access to a range of online virtual practical simulations specific to the course to enhance the learning experience.
Unibuddy: Chat to our Students and Staff
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