BSc (Hons) Biology (with Foundation Year) Bachelor's degree at Teesside University

You learn how big data is not just abundant but a growing field in so many aspects of our society from policing and conservation to health and bioinformatics. You explore how groups and communities use and share big data to help keep themselves safe in disaster zones around the world. You begin to value the role data plays in helping to make sense of community relationships in society, from uncovering criminal networks, tracking disease outbreaks to developing a deeper understanding of our ecolo

This module provides an overview of fundamental concepts in chemistry and their application in the context of environmental and life sciences. Chemistry is the study of the structure, properties and reactivity of elements and compounds, and plays a key role in all physical, life and applied sciences. The topics covered include the structure of the atom, the periodic table, chemical bonding, chemical reactivity, environmental science, biogeochemistry, pollution, green chemistry and climate change

This module is based around a series of laboratory sessions. The first sessions emphasise important foundation skills, such as how to work safely in a practical environment and how to properly document practical work. These are followed by a series of sessions based on your wider academic interests including the basics of microscopy, handling microorganisms, safe handling food, using volumetric glassware and investigating acid base titrations.

You focus on how science can help address some of the global grand challenges that face society. A group project enables you to develop innovative answers to some of the biggest issues of our time based on health and wellbeing, resilient and secure societies, digital and creative economy, sustainable environments and learning for the 21st century.

You explore the diversity of life on earth and the concept of evolution. You consider Darwin's theory of evolution through natural selection to demonstrate relationships between species, the principles of taxonomy and speciation, and how they relate to the evolutionary tree. You are introduced to the physiological processes, cellular organisation, homeostasis, metabolism, growth, reproduction, response to stimuli and adaptation - all hallmarks of living organisms equipping diverse species to sur

You gain an appreciation of how knowledge of issues in health and disease relate to modern society. You focus on the life sciences from a human perspective, develop an understanding of human biology and explore the role of different but interconnected life science disciplines in modern life. While reviewing life science from an interdisciplinary context, you examine the major human body systems – cardiovascular, respiratory, excretory, endocrine, nervous, digestive, skeletal and reproductive.

Gain basic knowledge of human anatomy and an understanding of the mechanisms associated with control and regulation of the physiological processes of the major organ system. Homeostasis is the key theme throughout the module, as you explore interrelationships between human functions and the organisational hierarchy to develop and increase your understanding of how the body functions. You also study the construction of biological profiles for human identification including sex, age at death, stat

You focus on multicellular organisms such as animals and plants to introduce physiology, population biology, ecology and the complexity of ecosystems. You develop these themes with discussion, problem solving and quantitative techniques. You think about the relevance of the biological processes introduced to our human societies. You take part in first-hand experience of animal and plant biological surveying in the natural environment.

Study the key principles of biochemistry, including the structure of the atom, chemical bonding and the forces that operate between molecules, chemical reactions and biological pathways. Investigate the chemistry of carbon and why this element is capable of forming the complex three-dimensional molecules that make life possible. Crucial groups of biological molecules are studied in detail, including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Examine the complex biodiversity and ecology of the microbial, plant and animal worlds and the importance of their conservation. Address the process of evolution and how it has led to the diversity of life and the world we now inhabit. Explore how evolution by natural selection has been studied and how the use of modern molecular techniques has enabled new discoveries, such as the domain of archaea. You are introduced to the techniques used to measure and monitor biodiversity.

You increase your understanding of biological processes at the cellular level. You explore eukaryotic cell architecture and function with a molecular and mammalian focus. You learn about cell division, the cell cycle, genetic organisation of cells, DNA replication and gene expression.

You are introduced to a range of microscopic organisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. You explore microbial cell structure and function, microbial growth, microbial diversity, and the importance of microbes in the environment, industry and human health.

You gain an introduction to ethical issues central to biosciences. You understand the use of animals to advance knowledge of physiological processes for animal and human health and disease, and the development of new therapies. The 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) are introduced as a framework for the ethical use of animals in research. You explore ethical issues of human participation in research, including the use of stem cell-based technologies. Good practice in experimental design, s

You develop a broad understanding of bioprocesses and selecting appropriate bioreactors for selective products. This includes bioreactions, principles of microbial fermentation with specific examples (medium constituents, choice of feedstock, media preparation), fermentation conditions (examples, types, mode of operation of fermenters) and design of bioreactors. You discuss fundamental products of fermentations and scaling up fermentation.

Gain an understanding of the human metabolism, endocrinology and clinical biochemistry. Examine metabolism, the chemical processes that occurs in living organisms, in the context of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, cellular respiration and metabolism of drugs. Discuss endocrinology and review the mechanisms underpinning hormone action, the roles of second messengers and endocrine system disorders. Enzyme kinetics and enzyme regulation is a significant topic. Explore the methods used for collec

You gain a solid foundation of the immune system and its role in protection against microorganisms and maintaining human health. You learn about the functional organisation of the immune system, the immune cells and chemical mediators, antibodies, and cellular processes related to the innate and adaptive immune responses.

You are introduced to a range of modern molecular biology concepts and techniques. You address general molecular biology, molecular biology of genetic diseases, and using molecular biology for applications such as the production of recombinant proteins, and biomedical science forensics. The new age of molecular biology is underpinned by gene/genome sequencing, sequence analysis and sequence manipulation. You explore the principles of sequence analysis and how these techniques have revolutionised

You are introduced to the study of animal behaviour and welfare. This encompasses evolutionary function, interactions of animals with their environment and each other, and a thorough understanding of how an environment can impact their wellbeing. You gain a comprehensive introduction to the scientific approach of studying, quantifying, and interpreting animal behaviour and welfare, including how human interaction can change behaviour and impact welfare. You focus on examples from literature, whi

You explore the nature of drugs as chemicals, which interact with cellular mechanisms at the molecular, systemic and behavioural level. You focus on the treatment and prevention of disease and understand the nature of adverse effects of drugs and other chemicals within living systems.

You explore how complex interactions shape the distribution and abundance patterns of species in the natural environment. You examine the ecology of populations and communities, and how the integration of powerful new molecular biology technologies can inform the study of ecology and ecological interactions. You explore the underlying theories used to explain the observed spatial and temporal patterns of diversity and the measurements to quantify it. These topics are aligned to current issues, e

The life-course model is one of the most important ideas in public health. There are many influences on health and wellbeing, including social, environm