Biological Sciences
Understand the behaviour of living systems from the level of cells up to whole organisms and ecosystems.
Biological Sciences with Research Abroad
Understand the behaviour of living systems from the level of cells up to whole organisms and ecosystems.
Biological Sciences with a Year in Industry/Research
Understand the behaviour of living systems from the level of cells up to whole organisms and ecosystems.
Course key facts
Qualification
BSc
Duration
3 years
Start date
October 2027
UCAS course code
C100
Study mode
Full-time
Fees
Course fees and funding
Delivered by
Location
-
South Kensington
-
Applications: places
9 : 1 (2025)
Minimum entry standard
AAA (A-level)
38 points (International Baccalaureate)
Qualification
BSc
Duration
4 years
Start date
October 2027
UCAS course code
Apply to C100
Study mode
Full-time
Fees
Course fees and funding
Delivered by
Location
-
South Kensington
-
Applications: places
9 : 1 (2025)
Minimum entry standard
AAA (A-level)
38 points (International Baccalaureate)
Qualification
BSc
Duration
4 years
Start date
October 2027
UCAS course code
Apply to C100
Study mode
Full-time
Fees
Course fees and funding
Delivered by
Location
-
South Kensington
-
Applications: places
9 : 1 (2025)
Minimum entry standard
AAA (A-level)
38 points (International Baccalaureate)
Course overview
Develop your appreciation of biology on this three-year course, where you'll build the key scientific skills required for ongoing research or a career in the life sciences.
You’ll examine the behaviour of living systems from molecules and cells up to whole organisms and ecosystems. Through this work, you’ll gain a detailed knowledge of the relationships, evolution, and key features of various organisms as you explore the diversity of life on Earth.
Your studies will be complemented by a dedicated Life Science Skills programme. This provides training in quantitative skills, programming, statistics, and scientific writing and presentation.
The second year offers you the chance to specialise across a series of optional modules, in areas including ecology, molecular biology, cell biology and development, microbiology, and immunology.
Laboratory, computational and field work will help you acquire the skills to design, carry out and analyse data from biological experiments.
With access to the thriving research environment at º£½ÇÉçÇø, you'll be taught by world leaders as you learn how to solve complex real-world problems.
Your studies culminate in the final year with an extensive research project. This work will enable you to progress your personal and professional identity as a life scientist.
Develop your appreciation of biology on this four-year course, which incorporates a research year abroad.
You'll examine the behaviour of living systems from the level of cells up to whole organisms and ecosystems. This will help you build the key scientific skills required for ongoing research or a career in the life sciences.
Through this work, you'll gain a detailed knowledge of the relationships, evolution, and key features of certain organisms as you explore the diversity of life on earth.
Your studies will be complemented by a dedicated Life Science Skills programme. This provides training in quantitative skills, programming, statistics, and scientific writing and presentation.
The second year offers you the chance to specialise across a series of optional modules, in areas including ecology, molecular biology and stem cells.
Laboratory, computational and field work will help you acquire the skills to design, carry out and analyse data from biological experiments.
With access to the thriving research environment at º£½ÇÉçÇø, you'll be taught by world leaders in the field as you learn how to solve complex real-world problems.
Your third year is spent with an approved university abroad, and is designed to help you develop linguistic skills as you experience a different cultural environment.
Your studies culminate in the final year with an extensive research project. This work will enable you to enhance your personal and professional identity as a life scientist.
Develop your appreciation of biology on this four-year course, which incorporates a year in industry or research.
You'll examine the behaviour of living systems from the level of cells up to whole organisms and ecosystems. This will help you build the key scientific skills required for ongoing research or a career in the life sciences.
Through this work, you'll gain a detailed knowledge of the relationships, evolution, and key features of certain organisms as you explore the diversity of life on earth.
Your studies will be complemented by a dedicated Life Science Skills programme. You'll receive training in quantitative skills, programming, statistics, and scientific writing and presentation.
The second year offers you the chance to specialise across a series of optional modules, in areas including ecology, molecular biology and stem cells.
Laboratory, computational and field work will help you acquire the skills to design, carry out and analyse data from biological experiments.
With access to the thriving research environment at º£½ÇÉçÇø, you'll be taught by world leaders in the field as you learn how to solve complex real-world problems.
Your third year will see you integrate your academic work with practical experience and employment in industry or research institutes.
Placements can be in areas as wide-ranging as the pharmaceutical industry, marine biology, or agriculture, and can take place either in the UK or overseas.
Your studies culminate in the final year with an extensive research project. This work will enable you to enhance your personal and professional identity as a life scientist.
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
You’ll study all core modules.
Core modules
You will gain an overview of the biochemistry of enzymes, membranes, and metabolism, in a diversity of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. You will develop the necessary mathematical skills needed to analyse these systems quantitatively, and the necessary practical skills to purify proteins and assay enzymes.
You will gain an overview of the tree of life, especially in regard to animals, plants and fungi, and to allow you to gain a more detailed knowledge of the relationships, evolution, and key features of certain groups of organisms.
You will address central information transfer pathways in the cell (replication, transcription and translation), and develop your skills in analysing genetic systems in model organisms. You will explore examples of cellular interactions: neuronal signalling, vertebrate immunity, and viral infection. In the practical work you design experiments to investigate your own hypotheses.
In this module you will explore how the planet's biological diversity is organised by ecological processes into ecosystems, communities, and populations. You will develop your skills in statistics, experimental design, and practical fieldwork.
The module has four main themes - mathematics, communication skills, statistics, and bioinformatics. You will be introduced to programming and computer literacy skills in Python, and in R through statistics; and it will incorporate some other core skills such as the use of lab notebooks and critical reflection on feedback.
You’ll study all core modules.
You’ll also choose three optional modules, one from each of Groups A, B and C.
Core modules
- Applied Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Bioinformatics, Statistics and Programming
- Tutored Dissertation
- I-Explore
Optional modules
Group A
- Cell and Developmental Biology
- Molecular Microbiology
- Essentials of Ecology
Group B
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Behavioural Ecology
Group C
- Vertebrate Form and Evolution
- Ecology Field Skills
- Molecular and Cell Biology
- Computational ‘Omics
I-Explore
Through I-Explore, you'll have the chance to deepen your knowledge in a brand new subject area, chosen from a huge range of for-credit modules.
All of our undergraduate courses include one module from I-Explore's wide selection. The module you choose will be fully integrated into your course's curriculum and count as credit towards your degree.
You'll study three optional modules, one from each of Groups A, B and C.
You'll also select a research project option from Group D.
Optional modules
Group A
- Mechanisms of Gene Expression
- Stem Cells, Regeneration & Ageing
- Metabolic & Network Engineering
- Medical Microbiology
- Biodiversity Genomics
- Current Topics in Development Biology
- Advanced Topics in Infection & Immunity
- African Biology Field Course
Group B
- Bacterial Molecular Machines
- Integrative Systems Biology
- Evolutionary Applications
- Advanced Topics in Parasitology & Vector Biology
- Symbiosis Plant Immunity and Disease
- Disease Ecology and Epidemiology
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology
Group C
- Molecular Basis of Bacterial Infection
- Bioinformatics
- Synthetic Biology
- Systems Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain in Health & Disease
- The Microbiome
- Advanced Immunology
- Plant Biotechnology and Development
- Global Change Biology
Group D
- Practical Research Project (Lab, Computational, Field) or
- Science Communication plus Literature Research Project (Research Proposal)
You’ll study all core modules.
Core modules
You will gain an overview of the biochemistry of enzymes, membranes, and metabolism, in a diversity of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. You will develop the necessary mathematical skills needed to analyse these systems quantitatively, and the necessary practical skills to purify proteins and assay enzymes.
You will gain an overview of the tree of life, especially in regard to animals, plants and fungi, and to allow you to gain a more detailed knowledge of the relationships, evolution, and key features of certain groups of organisms.
You will address central information transfer pathways in the cell (replication, transcription and translation), and develop your skills in analysing genetic systems in model organisms. You will explore examples of cellular interactions: neuronal signalling, vertebrate immunity, and viral infection. In the practical work you design experiments to investigate your own hypotheses.
In this module you will explore how the planet's biological diversity is organised by ecological processes into ecosystems, communities, and populations. You will develop your skills in statistics, experimental design, and practical fieldwork.
The module has four main themes - mathematics, communication skills, statistics, and bioinformatics. You will be introduced to programming and computer literacy skills in Python, and in R through statistics; and it will incorporate some other core skills such as the use of lab notebooks and critical reflection on feedback.
You’ll study all core modules.
You’ll also choose three optional modules, one from each of Groups A, B and C.
Core modules
- Applied Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Bioinformatics, Statistics and Programming
- Tutored Dissertation
- I-Explore
Optional modules
Group A
- Cell and Developmental Biology
- Molecular Microbiology
- Essentials of Ecology
Group B
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Behavioural Ecology
Group C
- Vertebrate Form and Evolution
- Ecological Field Skills
- Molecular and Cell Biology
- Computational ‘Omics
I-Explore
Through I-Explore, you'll have the chance to deepen your knowledge in a brand new subject area, chosen from a huge range of for-credit modules.
All of our undergraduate courses include one module from I-Explore's wide selection. The module you choose will be fully integrated into your course's curriculum and count as credit towards your degree.
The third year consists of an agreed programme of study at an approved university in either Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, or Switzerland.
We currently have exchange agreements with:
- University of Vienna, Austria
- University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, France
- SupAgro, France
- University of Paris, France
- University of Paris Saclay, France
- University of Strasbourg, France
- University of Toulouse 3, France
- University of Heidelberg, Germany
- University of Padova, Italy
- University of Leiden, Netherlands
- Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain
- University of Valencia, Spain
- Karolinska Institute, Sweden
- ETH Zurich, Switzerland
This is an integrated year abroad so the grades you achieve will count directly towards your Imperiadegree.
You'll study three optional modules, one from each of Groups A, B and C.
You'll also select a research project option from Group D.
Optional modules
Group A
- Stem Cells, Regeneration & Ageing
- Metabolic & Network Engineering
- Medical Microbiology
- Plant Biotechnology & Development
- Current Topics in Development Biology
- African Biology Field Course
- Evolutionary Applications
Group B
- Advanced Bacterial & Eukaryotic Cell Biology
- Integrative Systems Biology
- Advanced Topics in Parasitology & Vector Biology
- Symbiosis, Plant Immunity and Disease
- Advanced Topics in Infection & Immunity
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology
- Disease Ecology and Epidemiology
Group C
- The Microbiome
- Molecular Basis of Bacterial Infection
- Bioinformatics
- Synthetic Biology
- Systems Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain in Health & Disease
- Biodiversity Genomics
- Advanced Immunology
- Global Change Biology
Group D
- Practical Research Project (Lab, Computational, Field) or
- Science Communication plus Literature Research Project (Research Proposal)
You’ll study all core modules.
Core modules
You will gain an overview of the biochemistry of enzymes, membranes, and metabolism, in a diversity of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. You will develop the necessary mathematical skills needed to analyse these systems quantitatively, and the necessary practical skills to purify proteins and assay enzymes.
You will gain an overview of the tree of life, especially in regard to animals, plants and fungi, and to allow you to gain a more detailed knowledge of the relationships, evolution, and key features of certain groups of organisms.
You will address central information transfer pathways in the cell (replication, transcription and translation), and develop your skills in analysing genetic systems in model organisms. You will explore examples of cellular interactions: neuronal signalling, vertebrate immunity, and viral infection. In the practical work you design experiments to investigate your own hypotheses.
In this module you will explore how the planet's biological diversity is organised by ecological processes into ecosystems, communities, and populations. You will develop your skills in statistics, experimental design, and practical fieldwork.
The module has four main themes - mathematics, communication skills, statistics, and bioinformatics. You will be introduced to programming and computer literacy skills in Python, and in R through statistics; and it will incorporate some other core skills such as the use of lab notebooks and critical reflection on feedback.
You’ll study all core modules.
You’ll also choose three optional modules, one from each of Groups A, B and C.
Core modules
- Applied Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Bioinformatics, Statistics and Programming
- Tutored Dissertation
- I-Explore
Optional modules
Group A
- Cell and Developmental Biology
- Molecular Microbiology
- Essentials of Ecology
Group B
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Behavioural Ecology
Group C
- Vertebrate Form and Evolution
- Ecological Field Skills
- Molecular and Cell Biology
- Computational ‘Omics
I-Explore
Through I-Explore, you'll have the chance to deepen your knowledge in a brand new subject area, chosen from a huge range of for-credit modules.
All of our undergraduate courses include one module from I-Explore's wide selection. The module you choose will be fully integrated into your course's curriculum and count as credit towards your degree.
You will spend this year either working in industry or completing research.
This will be an integrated, 12-month placement in industry or a research organisation.
This can be in a variety of areas, such as medical research, conservation biology, marine biology or the pharmaceutical industry.
Students from the Department have previously completed placements with:
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Oxford University
- Novartis
- Institute of Cancer Research
- Natural History Museum
The employer can often be in a location of your choice – including outside the UK – as long as you are successful in obtaining a position there and the placement is approved by the Department.
You'll study three optional modules, one from each of Groups A, B and C.
You'll also select a research project option from Group D.
Optional modules
Group A
- Stem Cells, Regeneration & Ageing
- Metabolic & Network Engineering
- Medical Microbiology
- Plant Biotechnology & Development
- Current Topics in Development Biology
- African Biology Field Course
- Evolutionary Applications
Group B
- Advanced Bacterial & Eukaryotic Cell Biology
- Integrative Systems Biology
- Advanced Topics in Parasitology & Vector Biology
- Symbiosis, Plant Immunity and Disease
- Advanced Topics in Infection & Immunity
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology
- Disease Ecology and Epidemiology
Group C
- The Microbiome
- Molecular Basis of Bacterial Infection
- Bioinformatics
- Synthetic Biology
- Systems Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain in Health & Disease
- Biodiversity Genomics
- Advanced Immunology
- Global Change Biology
Group D
- Practical Research Project (Lab, Computational, Field) or
- Science Communication plus Literature Research Project (Research Proposal)
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
This is a general guide to how teaching and learning are usually balanced across this course. The methods used may change based on the modules you take.
Key
- Lectures, laboratory work and seminars
- Independent study
Years 1 and 2
- 30% Title 1 goes here
- 70% Title 2 goes here
Teaching and learning methods
-
Laboratory
-
Lectures
-
Tutorials
-
Seminars
-
Site visits
-
Group project
-
Research project
Balance of assessment
This is an example of how assessments are usually divided, based on a typical pathway through the course. The actual breakdown may vary depending on the modules you choose.
Key
- Examination
- Coursework
Year 1
- 60% Title 1 goes here
- 40% Title 2 goes here
Year 2
- 48% Title 1 goes here
- 52% Title 2 goes here
Year 3
- 56% Title 1 goes here
- 44% Title 2 goes here
Assessment methods
-
Coursework
-
Essays
-
Individual research
-
Laboratory write-ups
-
Presentations
-
Reports
-
Written examinations
Balance of teaching and learning
This is a general guide to how teaching and learning are usually balanced across this course. The methods used may change based on the modules you take.
Key
- Lectures, laboratory work and seminars
- Independent study
Years 1 and 2
- 30% Title 1 goes here
- 70% Title 2 goes here
Teaching and learning methods
-
Laboratory
-
Lectures
-
Tutorials
-
Seminars
-
Site visits
-
Group project
-
Research project
Balance of assessment
This is an example of how assessments are usually divided, based on a typical pathway through the course. The actual breakdown may vary depending on the modules you choose.
Key
- Examination
- Coursework
Year 1
- 60% Title 1 goes here
- 40% Title 2 goes here
Year 2
- 48% Title 1 goes here
- 52% Title 2 goes here
Year 4
- 56% Title 1 goes here
- 44% Title 2 goes here
Assessment methods
-
Coursework
-
Essays
-
Individual research
-
Laboratory write-ups
-
Presentations
-
Reports
-
Written examinations
Balance of teaching and learning
This is a general guide to how teaching and learning are usually balanced across this course. The methods used may change based on the modules you take.
Key
- Lectures, laboratory work and seminars
- Independent study
Years 1 and 2
- 30% Title 1 goes here
- 70% Title 2 goes here
Teaching and learning methods
-
Laboratory
-
Lectures
-
Tutorials
-
Seminars
-
Site visits
-
Group project
-
Research project
Balance of assessment
This is an example of how assessments are usually divided, based on a typical pathway through the course. The actual breakdown may vary depending on the modules you choose.
Key
- Examination
- Coursework
Year 1
- 60% Title 1 goes here
- 40% Title 2 goes here
Year 2
- 48% Title 1 goes here
- 52% Title 2 goes here
Year 4
- 56% Title 1 goes here
- 44% Title 2 goes here
Assessment methods
-
Coursework
-
Essays
-
Individual research
-
Laboratory write-ups
-
Presentations
-
Reports
-
Written examinations
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