BSc Biological Sciences (Immunology)
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 (Immunology), a biological sciences degree focusing on the study of the immune system and its responses to infection, disease and medical treatments. Core topics include Programming, Data Analysis, and Research Methods. The course structure offers flexibility, allowing students to progress into specific subject specialisations such as immunology in the second year. The first year covers introductory coding, data evaluation and analysis, hypothesis development and experimental design, and student-led investigative projects. The second year introduces programming for data analysis, data science techniques for interpretation of biological data, microbial form and function, and the immune system and how it fights infection. The third year explores cells of the innate and adaptive immune systems, genetic mechanisms by which immune cell development and responses are controlled, and infection biology of pathogens. The fourth year involves undertaking a research project, critique and evaluation of current immunological research and concepts, and application of current knowledge to design and refine new therapies.
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
- the immune system and how it fights infection
- On the BSc programme, you will progress into your chosen biological subject specialisation, for example, immunology, 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.
- cells of the innate and adaptive immune systems, their functions and how they communicate and work together to mount an immune response
- genetic mechanisms by which immune cell development and responses are controlled
- how the immune system deals with infections and cancer, and how inappropriate immune responses result in autoimmunity and allergies
- infection biology of pathogens
- identifying and developing research questions, and data manipulation and analysis using coding
- communication skills, including writing and oral and poster presentations
- lectures
- active discussion
- problem-solving workshops
- reading primary scientific literature
- attending research seminars
- undertaking a research project
- critique and evaluation of current immunological research and concepts, including dealing with conflicting scientific evidence and identifying knowledge gaps that require future research
- interpretation of scientific literature and research data
- creating, expressing and justifying your own evidence-based scientific theories and opinions
- creating and designing hypotheses and experiments to address new areas of research
- application of current knowledge to design and refine new therapies
- communication, including discussion of scientific research and concepts, giving and receiving feedback, presentations, poster design and defence and scientific writing
- teamwork