Studying one of the biological sciences – from botany to zoology – will involve some lab work, but how much? Use our list of open day questions to get the answers you’re looking for.
By Nik Taylor (Editor, The Uni Guide) | 14 March 2025 | 2 minutes read
About the course
Who will be teaching me? Do my lecturers still practice in the field of medical research?
What modules are optional on this course? Is it better to specialise early on?
Can I choose modules outside this course?
What skills will I learn on this course?
Equipment and facilities
What books and equipment should I buy?
How much time contact time do we have per week and how is this structured?
How much time do we get in the labs?
Are the labs modern / state-of-the-art? What areas does the department specialise in?
Placements and field trips
Are there any research trips I can go on, or vacation projects I can get involved with?
Will I need to do an industrial placement? Do I organise this, or will the university arrange it?
Do I need to do some work experience before I start this course?
Assessments
What is the split between individual exams and group work?
Do I need to complete a dissertation or research-based project?
Can I choose the subject of my research?
If I do a placement, will I be marked on it?
My prospects
How does this course help me get a job? What sort of jobs have previous graduates gone on to do?
What percentage of graduates continue into PhD-level study? Can I get funding from the university if this is what I want to do?
Does the uni have links with industry so I can look for jobs?