Biosciences, MBiol

We operate a modular system where you will study six modules each year. The Biosciences MBiol four year degree is designed to allow you more choice between modules in each year so that you can follow specialised routes within Biological Sciences, or address specific areas of interest, as you progress.The main method of delivery in the first three years of study are lectures, supplemented by practical classes and workshops. Lectures represent the largest proportion of the allocated contact hours and allow the effective delivery of large amounts of knowledge, which forms the factual basis of a science subject.At Year 1 the emphasis is on core knowledge across the broad spectrum of the sub-disciplines of biological and biomedical sciences. In Years 2 and 3, there are more specialised modules enabling you to focus on a particular sub-discipline, with elements of choice in the course. As the degree progresses, there is an increasing emphasis on showing that biosciences is based on experimental evidence gained through research. At Year 3 lecturing is research-led and based on staff research interests. The proportion of the course delivered through lectures is less in Year 3, to allow a greater emphasis on your own research activities.The lectures are supplemented by timetabled surgery sessions, which are used for problem-solving. Lecturing staff answer specific questions about the material they have taught through email, and by personal meetings; the Department has an "open-office" policy for responding to such queries. Typically, taught modules contain 35 one-hour lectures, two workshops, and one surgery session. You will take five compulsory taught modules in Year 1, six taught modules in Year 2, and four taught modules in Year 3, with two modules aligned to major pieces of research work. In the final year, there is a single taught Masters-level module on research skills, and five module equivalents based on research work.Practical classes are a major component of contact hours and are an essential part of training in an experimental science like biosciences. Year 1 practical classes are used to train you in the basic techniques required for experimental work in the full range of biological sciences, you will specialise in specific techniques and areas of experimental work through module choice in Year 2. The practical classes are supplemented by workshops in which data handling techniques are taught. In both Years 1 and 2, the load of practical classes overall is one-two three-hour sessions per week. There are no, practical classes in taught modules in Year 3, since you will carry out two research modules at this level. The first is a field course or laboratory-based extended workshop, which offers you two working weeks' contact with staff. The second is a literature review, with a topic chosen from current areas of interest in biological sciences. This involves approximately six-eight hours non-timetabled contact with a supervisor. The fourth year of study will include an additional field course or workshop, and an extended research module extending across the majority of the year. This will involve you in a large amount of contact time with supervisory staff, typically involving weekly meetings during the project period, and working in close collaboration with research being carried out in the Department.