Biological Sciences with Foundation Year

UCAS code: C100

Here's what University of Roehampton says about its Biological Sciences with Foundation Year course.

Why this course:

• We are ranked 3rd in the UK for Biosciences for Academic Support (National Student Survey)
• 1st in London for student satisfaction in Biosciences (National Student Survey)
• Ranked in the top 15% in the world (Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2024)

About this course:

Study the world of living organisms whilst addressing pressing global issues such as climate change and infectious diseases. Get the specialist, practical skills you need to play a part in contributing to the health of our planet.

Skills:

• Covering a range of biological disciplines, this course gives you the knowledge and skills to carve out a sustainable career in the health sector.
• You will delve into the very essence of life and living organisms and will develop your skills and understanding across the biological disciplines
• Including from core aspects of animal and plant biology to cutting edge developments within the fields of biotechnology, climate change, antimicrobial resistance and molecular ecology.

Career opportunities:

Our graduates go on to work in different specialisms within the biological sciences, such as:

• Environmental Conservation
• Consultancy
• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Veterinary Medicine
• Biomedical Research
• Policy Development

During the foundation year, you will complete core modules in English and Mathematics, as well as an extended project which will develop your skills in carrying out research, using scholarly sources, drawing comparisons between your own research and that of others and documenting your findings. You will study two modules in Life Sciences which will give you the opportunity to explore methods of scientific thinking and reasoning in an enquiry-based way. You will also be introduced to key concepts in human physiology that are common cornerstones of the different degree programmes. In your first year, you are introduced to the key areas of Biology including molecular biology, physiology, ecology, evolution and the diversity and details of the major animal and plant groups, while also gaining knowledge in basic biochemistry, and biometrics and data handling. Focus on the key areas that interest you, from a broad range of modules, in your second year. Recent modules have covered topics including organisms and ecology; evolutionary biology and behaviour; and molecular biology, physiology and biomedicine. The Research Methods module includes the development of a research proposal on a zoological topic of your choice. A residential field course in rural south Wales provides a week-long immersion into field and lab data collection. In your final year, you may select advanced modules from any area of biology, and you will have the opportunity to specialise further. An independent research project will account for one third of the final-year assessment and allows you the opportunity to collect seminal data on a topic of your choice, advancing current knowledge in that area. You will also get the opportunity to attend a field trip based in South Africa.