Prospective Students
Biology (BSc)
UCAS Code:
C100 BSc/B3 (3 years)
C101 BSc/B4 (4 years)
C103 BSc/Biolo (with Preliminary Year and Professional Training Year)
C102 BSc/BioPY (with Preliminary Year)
3 years (4 years sandwich) (Full-time) / n/a (Part-time) / n/a (Distance / E-Learning)
The Biology degree programme caters for anyone interested in the broad field of biological studies. It ranges from the molecular and cellular levels, through to the whole organism and its interaction with other organisms and the environment, together with the comparative physiologies of animals, plants and microbes.
In your first year you will follow the School's common first year Biological Sciences programme. This gives you a firm foundation in all the biological disciplines, and essential related disciplines that will give you a firm foundation for your subsequent years of study. The common first year also has the advantage of giving you flexibility of degree choice. At the end of the first year you will have a free choice of whether to continue with your original degree choice or change to one of the other programmes which is served by the same common first year programme.
This broad approach runs throughout your second and final years, giving you the option of taking a general training in biology or specialising in a particular area that appeals to you. You could therefore find yourself specialising in areas such as Conservation Biology, Behavioural Ecology, Pollution Biology or Genetics, or choosing a route that combines all these elements, or other combinations.
Biology is essentially a practical subject and all your second year modules will have a significant assessed practical component. In the final year the majority of students opt to undertake a research project to develop their practical skills further, and to gain experience in planning and running experimental programmes. Employable biologists also need field experience so all students attend two field courses from the selection offered (see section on field courses). Recent graduates have gone on to a range of diverse careers in research institutes, environmental consultancies, drug companies, teaching, and many non-biological careers such as banking and management.
At the end of the first year you can choose whether to continue with a three-year degree programme or opt for a four-year sandwich programme. Students taking the four year sandwich programme spend their third year away from the University on a placement which is arranged with the help of the School.
Typical Offers
AAB- ABB (340-320 points)
Entry Requirements
Two or three subjects at A-level, normally including Biology and at least one other science subject, preferably Chemistry. Two AS subjects will be accepted in lieu of a third A-level.
Alternative Entry Requirements
Applications from those offering alternative/overseas qualifications (eg Access) are welcome as are those who may have combinations of qualifications or other relevant work/life experience.
Detailed Admissions Criteria
Please click here for a full list of entry requirements and admissions criteria for this degree programme.
Next intake: September each year
School Contact
Name: Dr Peter Randerson Admissions Tutor
Telephone: 029 2087 4148
Fax: 029 2087 4116
Email: biomedical-ug@cardiff.ac.uk
School Website:
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/biosi