Biology with Placement Year BSc (Hons)

Our BSc Biology with Placement Year course allows you to do a year-long, paid work placement as part of your degree. You'll pay reduced fees for the year you're on placement and you'll have the support you need from our departmental placement tutor and the University. Most students earn salaries during their placements and many are offered a graduate-level job at the end.Previous students have found placements within industry, charities or government at organisations that include Atkins Environmental Consulting, Cadbury (Mondelēz International), Kew Gardens and Transport for London. It’s a great opportunity to test out a career path that you're considering - whether that's in the lab or applying your scientific knowledge and transferable skills in industry.The course covers the full breadth of biological sciences. You’ll learn about how cells and genes work, how organisms age, how populations evolve, and how organisms and ecosystems function. You'll also discover how we can work towards solving pressing global challenges including antibiotic resistance, ageing, biodiversity, sustainability and climate change. You might even add an extra year of research experience with an integrated masters.All of our students study an essential set of core modules designed to give you the skills that every professional biologist needs. Alongside these you'll have the opportunity to study optional modules that span zoology, ecology and conservation biology, and plant sciences. You can mix and match these modules, covering genetics, structure, function, evolution, behaviour and ecology of all organisms, underpinned by the latest research discoveries from our experts across DNA, evolution, biodiversity and beyond.In your first year you’ll spend your first week on a field trip in Sheffield, collecting data and working on projects throughout the city’s green spaces and out to the edge of the Peak District. Throughout the year you’ll develop your scientific research skills with practical sessions in the lab and regular field trips to zoos, aquariums and nature reserves. You’ll also have lectures and take part in small group tutorials where you’ll learn about the latest research findings from our world-leading academics.In your second year you’ll begin learning more advanced scientific topics and techniques. Some students choose to take our science communication module ‘Talking the Talk: Getting Science on Film’ where you’ll get the chance to make your own factual science documentaries, with support and advice from professional filmmakers. All of our biology students get the opportunity to go on an optional two-week long field course between second and third year too, giving you the chance to carry out your own research and develop an understanding of the ecology and biodiversity of different habitats across the globe.Once you return from your placement, in your third year you'll complete a research project and dissertation in an area of biology that interests you alongside your chosen specialist modules. Conducted under the supervision of one of our world experts, you'll work in a small group to define questions, develop experimental protocols, conduct the research, analyse the data and ultimately produce a written report in the form of a scientific publication.The demand for skilled biologists has expanded in recent years within industry, research, education and beyond. Our graduates go into careers across conservation, research, marketing, human resources, science communication and teaching, using their sought after transferrable skills in data analysis, project management and teamwork to thrive in a range of organisations. Each year our graduates join conservation and environmental consultancies, wildlife trusts, museums, hospitals, pharmaceutical c