COURSE CURRICULUM

The BSc Biological Sciences with Professional Experience at the University of Reading is a flexible and career-focused degree that allows students to shape their studies around personal interests in biology while also gaining substantial industry experience. In the first stage of the programme, students study core modules such as Cellular and Molecular Principles of Life, which explains how cells are structured and how their similarities and differences create biodiversity; Fundamentals of Microbiology, covering the diversity, genetics, ecology, and medical importance of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protists; Anatomy and Physiology, which introduces the structure and function of major human body systems; Fundamentals of Evolution, which explores genetic variation, natural selection, and evolutionary theory; and History of Life on Earth, which examines major events in Earth’s biological history including mass extinctions and climate change. In the second stage, students progress to more advanced modules such as Advanced Studies in Cellular and Molecular Biology, which explores molecular mechanisms of cellular function, and Research and Professional Skills, which develops scientific writing, critical thinking, data analysis, and communication skills. Students can also choose from a wide range of optional modules including ecology, marine biology, animal behaviour, palaeobiology, medical genetics, infectious diseases, bioinformatics, conservation science, and field courses in the UK and abroad, allowing them to specialise in environmental, zoological, or biomedical sciences. A key feature of this programme is the professional placement year, where students spend a full year working in industry, research institutions, or environmental organisations, gaining hands-on experience and improving employability. In the final academic stage, students complete a Research Project and study Venoms and Poisons: From Pharmacology to Therapeutics, alongside optional advanced modules such as neuroscience, cancer and cell communication, cardiovascular biology, pathogens, applied microbiology, integrated biochemistry, epidemiology of zoonotic diseases, forensics, and field-based research courses. Across all years, the degree combines academic study, laboratory training, fieldwork, and real-world professional experience, preparing graduates for careers in biological research, healthcare, conservation, biotechnology, and environmental science.