Our four-year BSc gives you the flexibility to discover what kind of biologist you want to be. Whether your interests lie in organisms and the environment, biomedicine, or the molecular biosciences, or span all three, from your first year you'll have the freedom to choose the topics you want to study across the breadth of biology. You'll also have the opportunity to do a year-long, paid work placement as part of your degree.
Our students have found placements in industry, charities or government at organisations that include GSK, Pfizer, the Institute for Cancer Research, Microsoft Business Unit, West Yorkshire Police, the Environment Agency and the Field Studies Council. You could even apply your scientific knowledge and transferable skills to areas outside the bioscience industry - for example market research, communications or business development.
A placement is a great opportunity to test out a career path and many students are offered a graduate-level job at the end. You'll pay reduced fees for the year you're on placement and you'll have the support you need from your tutor and the University.
During your time at Sheffield you'll be able to study topics including:
- biochemistry
- microbiology
- genetics
- molecular and cell biology
- physiology and pharmacology
- neuroscience
- stem cells and development
- pathobiology
- evolution
- zoology
- animal behaviour
- plant science
- ecology and conservation
- global change and sustainability
You'll learn about these subjects in lectures, practicals, workshops and field trips to zoos, aquaria and wildlife reserves.
As you progress through your degree you'll explore your chosen topics in greater depth, specialising in one area or keeping a broad overview across the biosciences. You'll learn the core practical laboratory skills that are used across biology including microscopy, cell culturing and DNA preparation so no matter what modules you choose to study, you'll be ready to address your own research questions. You'll also learn problem solving, communication skills, critical evaluation and data analysis - key transferable skills that make biology graduates very attractive to employers.
We'll give you plenty of opportunities to apply your new skills and knowledge too. You'll have the chance to carry out your own research projects in the lab, using the latest cutting-edge equipment to analyse stem cells, sequence DNA and study proteins and enzymes.
You might choose to do field research projects in the Peak District National Park, or to embark on an ecology field course in the UK or abroad. Or you can make the most of our links with the NHS, completing research in conjunction with the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. You can even choose to combine these areas.
Biology at Sheffield is all about enabling you to study what you're passionate about. From genes and molecules, to organ systems and behaviour, biodiversity and ecosystems and everything in between, your personal tutor will support you to tailor your degree to your interests and career goals.
If you want to study this course but don't meet the entry requirements our Biosciences (with Foundation Year) could be for you. After successfully completing the one year programme, you'll progress onto the first year of one of our bioscience degrees.
