Biology

Study life on all scales, from the molecular to the global ecosystem, with a focus on evolution acting at the level of DNA.

Biology encompasses the study of life from molecules to ecosystems. It's an exciting area of study that has a significant impact on our daily lives and is vital to solving some of the world’s biggest challenges.

You'll gain a broad foundation of skills across areas such as evolution, ecology, biodiversity, genetics, cell biology and microbiology, equipping you with the knowledge for a range of careers in the biosciences and beyond.

Tailor to your interests:
As the broadest of our biosciences courses, from year two you'll get to choose from a variety of units alongside the core units in evolution and genomics. You'll be able to choose the other areas that interest you. The options we offer are related to topics our staff are actively researching, such as developmental biology and food security.

Master's in Biology:
The MBiol provides you with the same core skills and knowledge as the BSc but with greater exposure to research and advanced practical techniques. You’ll study master's-level units and carry out a major research project, giving you ideal preparation for postgraduate study or a career in research.

Undertake a dedicated research project:
In your final year, you’ll carry out your own research project, giving you first-hand experience as a researcher and the opportunity to contribute to the leading research of our academics. We have world-leading research centres, covering areas including evolution and mathematical biology.

Develop your professional skills:
You'll be exposed to a wide variety of opportunities to develop transferable professional skills, including problem-solving, IT, communications, time management, research and analysis, and team working. We aim for our graduates to be adaptable and creative problem solvers, ready for a career in an ever-changing world.

Gain hands-on experience in specialist labs:
You’ll spend time learning practical scientific techniques in our well-equipped teaching labs. You’ll also have access to a computer lab for bioinformatics. In the final year, you'll have the opportunity to work in our state-of-the-art research labs and with some of the broad range of biological materials used in our research.

Find out more about where you'll be studying with our biosciences undergraduate facilities tour led by three of our students.

Prepare for your future career:
You'll graduate with the knowledge and skills to be part of the next generation of scientists, helping make you highly sought after by employers. You'll also be well equipped to apply the skills you've gained in a range of other careers such as business, management or marketing or even go on to further study, such as a master’s or PhD. Biological sciences at Bath is ranked 6th for graduate prospects in the Complete University Guide 2024.

Examples of recent employers include:

Pfizer
Cancer Research UK
Natural England