Biological science asks deeper questions about the human body and challenges facing humankind such as;

Why are some people more prone to certain diseases and medical conditions than others?

How can we ensure that people remain healthier as they get older?

Why do bacteria evolve to defend themselves against antibiotics and what can we do about it in the future?

In its attempt to answer these questions, biology encompasses many areas of scientific study such as living organisms, life cycles, adaptations, and the environment. Biological science also incorporates a wealth of exciting and diverse topics from biochemistry and biotechnology to genetics, microbiology and physiology.

Biological Sciences at Aston offers you an incredible mix of top-quality teaching, world class research and the opportunity to gain real world experience with our optional placement year. For those who achieve the required grades in the second year, you will be given the option to enhance your learning by transferring onto our integrated masters MBiol programme; giving you the platform to be a research and development leader and innovator of the future.

Professional accreditation

Our BSc Biological Sciences course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB). RSB accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and key skills, preparing graduates to address the needs of employers. The criteria set by the RSB requires evidence that graduates from accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills.

Students who achieve a minimum of 60% in their second year will be given the option to transfer onto our integrated masters MBiol programme. Our MBiol Biological Sciences course holds Advanced Degree Accreditation by the RSB*. This advanced accreditation recognises academic excellence in the biosciences, and highlights degrees that educate the research and development leaders and innovators of the future. The criteria require evidence that graduates from the course meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including gaining a substantial period of research experience.

Placement year

The best way to prepare you for your future career is to gain experience in the real world of work. That's why our course offers you the option to complete an integrated placement year, taken between the second and final years of your degree.

Designed to make you stand out in the graduate crowd, you can undertake placements in hospital, industrial or research laboratories, as well as non-laboratory settings.

International students and post-study work visa

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students. Students from over 120 different countries choose to study with us every year. Aston is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham it’s also a great place to live.

The new post-study work visa enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after they have completed their studies to find work. For more information visit the government website.

For International Students intending to do a foundation year, visit ONCAMPUS.

Course outline

At Aston, studying biological science will give you the opportunity to delve far deeper into the detail of how the human body works, and how organisms interact and evolve.

You’ll be taught by experts in their specialist fields of biosciences whose broad range of experience allows us to highlight the real-world applications of the knowledge you are gaining.

During the course you’ll get the opportunity to:

• Produce penicillin, and show how it affects the survival of a clinically-important human pathogen.
• Do real-world research focused on the world’s biggest health challenges.
• Take part in an optional fermenting practical where you can brew beer to your own recipe, bottle, label and share with staff and students during a beer-tasting event.

There is a huge breadth of academic research undertaken across Aston which is integrated into our courses. It’s this integration that gives you a distinct advantage in your studies by ensuring you have access to the latest trends, thinking, issues and research.

You’ll encounter a wide range of teaching approaches, from lectures and group work to practical sessions and interactive workshops and tutorials.

Each year of study is worth 120 credits, with each credit equivalent to 10 learning hours. The learning hours may include but are not limited to lectures, seminars, tutorials, lab sessions, practicals, online activity, reading, other independent study, reflecting on assignment feedback, field trips and work placements.

Assessments

You will be continuously assessed throughout the course with a wide range of assessments linked to learning outcomes, such as:

• exams
• essay writing
• practical and laboratory reports
• presentations
• peer assessment.

Our graduates enter a wide range of professional careers, including:

• research
• health
• welfare
• biological industries in roles such as laboratory technician and research assistant.

In addition to scientific positions, some graduates enter general management and personnel work, as well as product development and marketing, while others move into teaching, continue with further research or study including MSc and PhD qualifications.

Recent destinations include:

• Abbott Laboratories
• Asterand Bioscience
• Aston University
• Berwick Partners
• IVC Brunel Healthcare
• National Milk Laboratories
• NHS Trusts
• The Binding Site
• Secondary Schools
• University of Warwick.