BSc Biological Sciences (Evolutionary Biology)
Entry requirements
A level: from AAA to ABB in one set of exams (required: Biology at B, Chemistry at B) IB: from 37 points with 666 at HL to 32 points with 655 at HL
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences (Evolutionary Biology), a biological sciences degree focusing on evolutionary processes and the development of species. Core topics include Programming, Data Analysis. The course provides a flexible structure where students can explore different biological disciplines in the early stages before focusing on their chosen specialisation. The first year introduces fundamental competencies such as hypothesis development and experimental design, data evaluation and analysis, and introductory coding. The second year builds on this foundation with modules including natural selection and the origin of species, programming for data analysis, and evolution of animal body plans and physiological systems across phyla, alongside progression routes into specific subject specialisations. The third year covers advanced topics such as analysis of genomic data, behaviour of genetic variation in populations, and animal diversity and the processes that have led to this diversity. The fourth year examines specialised concepts through modules such as recent evolutionary history of the hominin group, analysis of nucleotide sequence variation, and evolutionary trees and their use for understanding evolutionary biology.
Modules
- learn about ethics
- hone your writing skills
- reflect on your learning
- have the opportunity to use your creativity when coming up with solutions to novel biological problems
- hypothesis development and experimental design
- data evaluation and analysis
- introductory coding
- communicating your ideas both orally and in writing
- student-led investigative projects
- self-reflection
- DNA replication and repair
- natural selection and the origin of species
- cellular metabolic processes
- regulation and control of biological systems
- programming for data analysis
- data science techniques for interpretation of biological data
- evolution of animal body plans and physiological systems across phyla
- modern plant biology
- microbial form and function
- On the BSc programme, you will progress into your chosen biological subject specialisation, for example, evolutionary biology, which will lead to your honours programme of choice.
- On the MBiol programme, you will not select a specific specialisation, but you will be encouraged to align with one of the areas of biological science. You must achieve an average of 60% across Years 1 and 2 to progress to the MBiol programme.
- analysis of genomic data
- behaviour of genetic variation in populations
- animal diversity and the processes that have led to this diversity
- recent evolutionary history of the hominin group
- analysis of nucleotide sequence variation
- evolutionary trees and their use for understanding evolutionary biology