Biology with Foundation Year
Sheffield Hallam University
UCAS Code: A046 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
Access to HE Diploma
Access - an Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course in a science based subject. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3
GCSE/National 4/National 5
English Language at grade C or 4 or equivalent Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalent Science at grade C or 4
UCAS Tariff
From A levels to include at least 24 points in any one A level or BTEC National qualification. Also need to have at least 16 points from a science subject (biology/chemistry/physics or maths). We do not accept general studies.For example: CC at A Level MPP in BTEC Extended Diploma. A combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels and EPQ.
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
Please note that the information provided relates to the current academic year and is subject to change without notice by Sheffield Hallam University.
Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information.
**Course summary**
- Develop the biological, chemical and mathematical skills you need to solve biological problems.
- Conduct research in both theoretical and practical areas of biology.
- Gain a deep understanding of the breadth of biological sciences through extensive lab work and fieldwork opportunities.
- Take the opportunity to complete a work placement
- Transfer to the MSci route for a specialist year of research intensive study working alongside our internationally recognised researchers
You will develop the ability to solve biological problems and enhance your practical and digital skills for a career in biological sciences or other occupations requiring creative, analytical thinkers.
If you don't meet the entry requirements for our BSc (Hons) courses, or you’d like extra preparation before starting degree-level study, we recommend you join the foundation year. You will build your confidence in biology, chemistry and maths, and apply your theoretical knowledge in practical laboratory sessions. You will also familiarise yourself with Sheffield Hallam’s staff and facilities — ensuring that you are fully prepared to begin at degree level study.
**How you learn:**
- lectures
- interactive workshops
- small group academic tutorials
- scenario-based laboratory sessions and field work
- project work
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
Through the exploration of biological concepts within modules such as plant physiology & anatomy, environmental biosciences and evolutionary & behavioural biology you will gain a breadth of understanding across key biological disciplines. This is supplemented by optional modules in your second and final years allowing you to explore further subjects of your choice.
The foundation course content is delivered and assessed in a variety of innovative and exciting ways, helping you to gain skills required for success on your chosen degree route. You will study 6 modules designed to prepare you for future success while studying one of our bioscience or chemistry degrees. Attending and participating in the laboratory activities is central to your course, as it is where you develop not only practical skills, but also learn to keep effective records and analyse data, as well as working both independently and with others.
**Applied learning - Work placements**
Once you have developed your knowledge and skills in the lab, there is the opportunity to apply for a year-long placement between your second and final year. This will give you the chance to apply theory and practice in the workplace. Alternatively, you are encouraged to undertake internships or other short placements all of which will provide you with experience to give you a significant start to your career.
We have a wide range of major national and multinational placement partners, including GlaxoSmithKline, Covance, Eurofins and other universities.
You will have opportunities to complete valuable field work. This could include exploring the natural environment of the Peak District, visiting Sheffield Botanical Gardens and a UK-based residential ecological and environmental field course – all at no additional cost.
**Research projects**
During your final year you will combine the skills and knowledge you have gained to undertake a specialist research project working alongside an expert in your chosen subject area. Opportunities are available for both lab and non lab-based science projects allowing you the flexibility to focus on a specific area of interest.
Modules
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
You can take an optional placement in year three.
** Year 1 Compulsory modules**:
Module Credits
Biology: Cells And Molecules 20
Biology: Organs And Systems 20
Chemistry: Atoms To Molecules 20
Chemistry: Energy And Reactions 20
Maths 20
Skills Development 20
** Year 2 Compulsory modules**:
Cellular Biology And Biochemistry With Microbiology 20
Environmental Biosciences 20
Human Physiology And Anatomy 20
Plant Physiology And Anatomy 20
Professional And Scientific Practice 1: Labs 20
Professional And Scientific Practice 1: Skills 20
** Year 3 Compulsory modules**:
Applied Ecology And Environmental Biosciences 20
Evolutionary And Behavioural Biology 20
Molecular Biology And Biochemistry 20
Professional And Scientific Practice 2 40
**Elective modules**:
Advanced Cell Biology 20
Pathological Basis Of Disease 20
Topics In Biochemistry 20
**Year 4 Compulsory modules**:
Professional And Scientific Practice 3 20
** Final year Elective modules**:
Applied Biochemistry 20
Bioethics And Bioinformatics 20
Bioethics And Human Genetics 20
Bioinformatics And Human Genetics 20
Environmental Biotechnology 20
Neurobiology 20
Plant Biotechnology 20
Assessment methods
Coursework
Exams
Practicals
Tuition fees
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Extra funding
Scholarships, discounts and bursaries may be available to students who study this course.
The Uni
Sheffield Hallam University
College of Health Wellbeing and Life Sciences
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Biology (non-specific)
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Biology
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
The recession was tough on biology graduates, and although the jobs market has improved for them - a lot - it's still not back to where it was a few years ago. If you want a career in biology research — and a lot of biology students do - you'll need to take a doctorate, so give some thought as to where you might do it and how you might fund it (the government still funds doctorates for good students). A lot of graduates also take 1 year Masters courses to specialise in this wide and deep subject - most students take a standard biology course for their first degree and then specialise in subjects like ecology, conservation or marine biology later. Hospitals, universities, biotech firms, zoos and nature reserves and clinical and scientific testing are common industries of employment for biology graduates.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Biosciences
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£20k
£25k
£23k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.
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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.
You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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