3.5-Term Pathway - Foundation Certificate in Science and Health - Continue to Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Biological Sciences

Program Description For students who've finished high school but don’t meet the entry requirements for university, a Foundation Certificate can help them gain entry to an undergraduate degree. After completing this pathway option students qualify for progression to the 1st year of an undergraduate degree at the University of Essex.

A student’s course length is determined mainly by their English language level (UKVI IELTS score). Students on all course lengths take a set of common or similar modules to gain a solid base of skills for university. Students taking a course longer than 2 terms, will take additional modules designed to improve one or more of their English language level, academic skills, and basic knowledge of particular subjects.

Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Biological Sciences

Integrative biology brings together all the tools of modern biology to unravel the complexity of living systems. The BSc Biological Sciences covers the breadth of biology from molecules and cells, to whole organisms and ecosystems. In the School students will discover how new developments in technology are driving current research, with research-based teaching delivered by leading scientists investigating global biological challenges.

The vast and diverse world of living organisms offers a huge range of opportunities for study and work, and at Essex they give students the flexibility to shape their degree to suit their interests. Students' first year offers broad insights into cell and molecular biology, genetics, ecology and evolution, as well as an overview of animal, plant, and microorganism diversity. The Integrative Biology pathway allows students to choose from a broad selection of modules across different disciplines. Alternatively they can customize their degree to specialize in an area they enjoy most, choosing from either Molecular and Cell Biology, or Ecology and Conservation Biology.

Choose to follow one of the three pathways:

• Molecular and Cell Biology • Ecology and Conservation • Integrative Biology

Students will receive hands-on experience to develop important practical skills both in the lab and in the field throughout their course. In the final year they’ll carry out an independent research project allowing them to pursue their own interests and play their own part in adding to the ever-growing knowledge within biological sciences.