Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Biology

The BSc (Hons) Biology programme at the University of Derby focuses on contemporary and future-focused environmental and biotechnological applications of biology. The programme design is informed by ongoing dialogue with the Royal Society of Biology and other professional engagements of academic staff, ensuring that the curriculum remains current and relevant. Facilities include an Aquatic Research Facility, glasshouse, insectary, and specialist laboratories, with fieldwork forming an essential part of study. Many teaching staff are active researchers whose work shapes debates in areas such as coral reef diseases, animal ecology, cell biology, and insect reproduction, embedding the latest research and developments into the learning experience. The course content aligns with global initiatives, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, preparing graduates with the skills to address pressing global challenges. Opportunities for work placements and internships enhance practical experience, and the course can be studied with or without an Industrial Placement Year.

The programme encourages students to develop knowledge, skills, and personal effectiveness in an integrated and interdisciplinary framework, supporting diverse needs and interests. All scientific skills are valued in the context of potential applications in the biosciences, fostering collaboration across disciplines with support from staff in different areas. Biological processes are often circular in nature, providing a model for transitioning society toward a circular economy that minimizes material and energy waste. Governments, companies, and inter-governmental agencies invest in biology due to its potential for environmental solutions and the economic opportunities created by advances in the biosciences. Significant developments in DNA sequencing, related “omics” technologies, and computational capacity are transforming understanding of biology, offering opportunities to enhance health, wellbeing, and the environment.

The programme addresses urgent global issues, including climate change, overexploitation of natural capital, and biodiversity loss, which pose existential threats to humanity. In response, the curriculum, guided by the UN’s Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) framework, equips graduates with the knowledge and practical skills to make a positive impact on climate change, biodiversity, resource sustainability, and social inequality, positioning them to contribute meaningfully across scientific, environmental, and industrial sectors.