Biological Sciences MSci

Course in brief

Our Biological Sciences MSci explores biological systems at molecular, cell, tissue and whole organism levels. Through practical teaching driven by research, you will learn to apply scientific knowledge and investigative skills to help find solutions to environmental and societal issues.

This integrated degree provides extra in-depth study at masters level, enabling you to develop advanced research skills and specialise in subjects that interest you most.

You will learn with a course team who are internationally recognised experts in their field, with research strengths in areas such as zoonotic disease, human physiology, diabetes, disease processes and ecology and conservation.

You will undertake an individual research project and gain practical experience through laboratory classes and fieldwork, allowing you to further develop your skills. Destinations for optional field trips currently include South Africa and Portugal.

You’ll also benefit from access to our specialist facilities, which include an Image Analysis Unit and purpose-built ecology, microbiology, molecular biology and tissue culture labs, as well as the option to undertake a placement year.

Key facts

Location Brighton: Moulsecoomb

UCAS code C100

Full-time 4 years
With placement year 5 years

Book your open day place

Apply now with UCAS for 2019 entry

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

A-levels or BTEC
Entry requirements are in the range of A-level ABB–BBC (128–112 UCAS Tariff points) which must include A-level biology, or BTEC Extended Diploma (applied science) DDM–DMM plus A-level biology at grade B.

International Baccalaureate
32 points including a grade 5 in chemistry and biology at Higher level. English at Standard level 5 or Higher level 4, and maths at Standard level 4.

Access to HE Diploma
pass with 60 credits overall. Must include 24 credits at distinction in biology and chemistry. At least 45 credits at level 3, with 30 credits at distinction.

GCSE (minimum grade B or grade 5)
at least maths, English language and a science.

Foundation degree
individual assessment.

Studied before or got relevant experience?
A qualification, HE credits or relevant experience may count towards your course at Brighton, and could mean that you do not have to take some elements of the course or can start in year 2 or 3.

For non-native speakers of English
IELTS 7.0 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in all four elements.

International equivalencies

International equivalencies by country

Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visit our language institute

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Course in detail

Course structure

You will learn through lectures, fieldwork, group work, practical classes and independent study. Fieldwork is used to contextualise the taught material using real-world activities. Laboratory classes are specifically designed to investigate fundamental areas of bioscience that might be encountered when working in professional laboratories.

All classes are designed to underpin key skills recognised by the industry as needed for careers in the biosciences. You develop practical skills in our specialist facilities, which include an Image Analysis Unit and purpose-built ecology, microbiology, molecular biology and tissue culture labs.

Assessment involves the use of essays, exams, presentations, practical and communication exercises, which can vary depending on the options you choose. Formative exercises are used throughout the course to aid your development and learning.

Year 1

You will explore the foundations of biological science including areas such as: skills for bioscientists, genetics, molecular biology, human physiology, biochemistry, and diversity of life. You can also choose to study ecology and conservation, or marine biology.

Modules

Essential Skills for Bioscientists
Diversity of Life
Biochemistry and Bioanalytical Techniques
Introduction to Human Physiology
Introduction to Genetics and Molecular Biology

Options*

Introduction to Ecology and Conservation
Introduction to Marine Biology and Ecology

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Year 2

You will build on the knowledge and skills gained in your first year covering research skills, professional development, behavioural and evolutionary biology and physiology of organisms. You can choose to study in environmental, ecological, biomedical and clinical areas through a range of option modules.

Modules

Research Skills and Professional Development
Physiology of Organisms
Behavioural and Evolutionary Biology

Options*

Intermediate Human Physiology
Human Biochemistry and Metabolism
Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics and Genomics
Diet and Exercise for Health
Managing Populations in Ecology and Conservation
Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems
Biology international field course
Infection and Immunity

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Placement year

A placement year is a great opportunity to gain valuable work experience, explore a potential specialism and develop your skills, enhancing your CV.

Our students have been on placement with organisations including bioscience companies and research organisations.

Year 3

You will study species interactions and innovations in bioscience research, to bring you up to date with the most recent bioscience research, as well as undertaking an individual research project associated with a research group. Examples include physiology and disease processes, microbiology, genetics, ageing, ecology and conservation.

You can also choose from module options to deepen your knowledge within a specialist theme.

Modules

Project (Biology Experimental Project or Ecology Project)
Species Interactions
Innovations in Bioscience Research

Options*

Clinical Immunology and Microbiology
Cellular Pathology
Blood Sciences
Ecological Impact Assessment
Hot Topics in Ecology and Conservation
Current Topics in Marine Ecology

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Biology, Biomedical Science, Ecology_035

Final year

In your final year you will focus on an in-depth research project, working with an academic who is a recognised expert in the field. You will develop techniques in evaluating bioscience research, and benefit from a choice of option modules that reflect your areas of interest, enabling you to become a professional biologist.

Modules

MSci Research Project
Evaluating Research in Biosciences

Options*

Biomedical Implants and Cell-based Strategies
Issues in Ecology and Conservation
Advanced Taxonomy and Survey Skills
Evaluating Research in Biosciences
Applied Nucleic Acid Biochemistry
Applied Protein Biology
Clinical Microbiology in the Post-antimicrobial Era
Microbiology, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Remediation
Data and Scientific Theories
Monitoring Molecules in Neuroscience
Psychopharmacology
Oxidative Stress and Human Disease
Ion Channel Pharmacology and Physiology
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
Applications in Geographic Information Systems
Water Quality Analysis

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Facilities

Our facilities include a dedicated microbiology lab with its own technical support team and preparation area, primary cell/tissue and secondary cell culture facility, molecular biology lab with access to rtPCR equipment and an Image Analysis Suite that houses electron microscopes, a confocal microscope and atomic force microscopes.

You will also benefit from access to a genomics/proteomics facility, allowing for analysis of cell genes and proteins.

Click to view a virtual tour of some of our biosciences facilities.

Course statistics

Unistats and key information sets

Unistats enable you to compare information when choosing a UK university course. All UK universities publish Unistats data on their website.

Programme specification

The programme specification is the approved description of each course. They are updated following course changes, and give a detailed breakdown of the content and structure of the course.

Programme specification

These charts give an indication of how much time you will spend on different activities at each level of the course, and an indication of the balance of assessment by coursework, and written and practical exams. For courses with option modules, actual proportions will depend on the modules you choose.

Find out more about how the academic year and degree courses are organised, and about learning and assessment activities you might get to grips with at Brighton. More specific information about this course is detailed in the programme specification (linked above). You can find out also about the range of support we offer to help you adjust to university life.

Overall workload

Assessments

Careers and employability

Graduating with a masters-level qualification will give you a professional advantage in your chosen career. You will also have the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue biology at PhD level.

Fees and funding

Your fees

UK/EU (full-time) 9,250 GBP

International (full-time) 14,040 GBP

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2018–19.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location and living here

Location

About Brighton

Forward-thinking and welcoming, the city of Brighton & Hove is a community of creative and diverse people who share values like sustainability and inclusivity – just like its university.

Miles of pebble beaches, hundreds of bars, restaurants and clubs, a packed calendar of culture, music and sport and great independent and high street shopping attract visitors from all over the world. By the end of your course you’ll still be finding new things to enjoy about the city.

The Brighton Festival, England’s largest arts festival, takes place every May – as does the Great Escape Europe’s leading industry showcase for new music, 300 bands perform over three days at venues across the city. Major events celebrate Pride, digital culture, cinema, photography, food and the winter solstice. Our own Brighton Graduate show is a highlight, turning the university into the largest exhibition space in the south east as we celebrate the outstanding creativity of our students.

As a student here you’ll have a unique opportunity to experience what the city has to offer. Volunteering and placement opportunities enable you to play your part in the events, organisations and communities that make Brighton such a compelling place to be.

Campus where this course is taught

Moulsecoomb campus

Two miles north of Brighton seafront, Moulsecoomb is our largest campus. Subjects taught here include architecture, business, computing, construction, engineering, geography, product design, law and pharmacy.

On campus you will find professional-standard facilities including a flight simulator, trading room, design and digital media suites and specialist research laboratories, alongside the library, student centre, a nursery, fitness facilities and Students’ Union. There are excellent public transport links.

The Big Build
A major transformation of our Moulsecoomb campus began in summer 2018. By summer 2020 there’ll be new halls of residence, academic building, and Students’ Union and fitness facilities – all created with sustainability, inclusivity and community in mind.

As the development grows it will provide many exciting learning opportunities for our students, ranging from live projects, placements and internships with the companies involved to guest lectures and site visits. Find out more...

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Accommodation

Brighton: Moulsecoomb

We have halls of residence across the city in Grand Parade, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

Eligible students can apply for any of these options. Find out if you are eligible…
You’ll be prioritised for accommodation in the halls that are linked to your teaching base, subject to availability.
Moulsecoomb campus is linked to Varley Park and Moulsecoomb Place halls.
- Varley Park offers a mix of rooms and catering options. Varley Park is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre. Public transport in the city is excellent, and there’s a shuttle bus between our Brighton campuses during term time.
- Moulsecoomb Place halls are catered and are located on campus.

We also offer Unihomes and Unilets, student houses that we let out to our students on behalf of private landlords. This option provides the most choice and flexibility and can work particularly well when you’re balancing learning with placements and other commitments.

There’s plenty of support if you choose private rented accommodation. We manage our own studenthomes database of properties. And we run our housemates service over the summer for students, new and returning, looking for a place to live.

Find out more on our accommodation webpages.

Moulsecoomb Place accommodation close to the Moulsecoomb campus

Student in the Moulsecoomb Place hall of residence

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Moulsecoomb campus map

Find out more

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