Biology

Keele University

From genes to ecosystems, Biology BSc at Keele explores the fascinating intricacies of life in its broadest sense, whilst offering opportunities to specialise in topics aligned to your interests, from animal behaviour to human genetics. With access to our 600-acre diverse campus, state-of-the-art David Attenborough Laboratories, and integrated employability modules, you will graduate with the academic, practical and professional skills required for careers as varied as ecological consultancy to pharmaceutical sales.

From exploring the smallest building blocks of life, to entire sprawling ecosystems, our Biology BSc offers a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies and interconnections of life on Earth and the challenges it faces due to human activity.

During the first year of your biology degree, you will gain a solid grounding in key biological concepts such as cells, genetics, evolution, physiology of humans and other animals, ecology and plant biology. From year two of your biology course, you can choose to study topics across the biosciences or focus on key specialisms aligned to your career goals.

In your final year, you will have the opportunity to unleash your creativity by undertaking a substantial piece of meaningful research on a topic that excites and challenges you. Your research project is an excellent opportunity for you to draw together skills in experimental study design, critical interpretation of data, presentation and project management. To hone your communication skills, you will also present the outcomes of your final year research project in the context of a realistic research conference experience.

On your adventure through your biology degree, you will have regular access to our state-of-the-art David Attenborough Laboratories and our large and diverse campus to develop practical bioscience skills. Our campus offers a range of woodlands, grasslands, lakes and streams for you to hone your biodiversity surveying skills in a familiar environment before exploring field sites beyond the campus.

A key feature of this course is our structured programme of academic and professional development workshops. From communicating effectively to diverse audiences to interview techniques and CV writing, we will provide you with tools, skills and the connections to develop a strong foundation of employability skills for your future career.

You will graduate with a strong set of transferable skills suited to a range of roles in the science, education and health sectors. You may also wish to further your knowledge by progressing to postgraduate study.

Key skills you will acquire include:

Communication - through report writing and presentations

Data management and analysis

Online and in-person literacy skills

Problem-solving and creative thinking

Research

Teamworking

Careers that a graduate of this course could pursue include:

Environmental consultant

Ecologist

Marine biologist

Medical publishing

Microbiologist

Pharmaceutical sales

Postgraduate study

Teaching

Foundation year

Studying a Foundation Year, for whatever reason, offers an alternative route to Keele, and provides a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree. That extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge and, perhaps most importantly, build your confidence.

Duration of study

3 years or 4 years with international or placement year