Course description
Our BSc Cell Biology course will help you to understand how our cells do what they need to do, from the molecular level through whole cells to tissues and organs.
You will study aspects of biological sciences such as biochemistry and molecular biology to explore the structure and function of cells.
You will also consider how cell diversity arises and how cells co-operate and communicate with each other in normal tissues and in developing embryos.
Our flexible course will prepare you for a wide range of careers both inside and outside of the lab.
Special features
Superb facilities
Take advantage of our exceptional dissecting room facilities to carry out dissection, histology and morphometrics.
A range of study options
You can extend your degree by a year to undertake an integrated master's , gain industrial/professional experience , study with entrepreneurship or learn a modern language .
It is possible to broaden your degree by taking units from the University College , Business and Management for all Programmes or the University Language Centre in exchange for a few units from your degree.
Foundation year available
You can prepare for the full degree course if you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry by undertaking our foundation course first.
Flexibility to transfer between courses
You can transfer between most of our bioscience courses at the end of your first year or, in some cases, later.
Teaching and learning
You will benefit from a wide range of teaching and learning methods that suit the content and aims of each course unit.
These range from lectures and tutorials to practical and research projects, including the final year project .
Find out more about how you will learn and see a typical Year 1 timetable on our teaching and learning page.
Coursework and assessment
Assessment methods vary widely to suit the nature of the course unit and each level of study.
- Lecture units are usually assessed by written exam (multiple choice or essay-based), which are held at the end of an academic semester in either January or May/June.
- Practical units are usually assessed by experimental report and/or short written assignment and/or written exam.
- The proportion of independent study assignments increases during each year of study.
Year 1
Lecture units are usually assessed by e-learning activities during the unit and multiple choice exams at the end of the semester. Year 1 contributes 10% to your overall degree mark.
Year 2
Lecture units are usually assessed by essay-based exam.Year 2 contributes 30% to your overall degree mark.
Final year
Lecture units are usually assessed by essay-based exam. Students also take two 'honours' papers: degree programme-specific examinations comprising essays and data-handling problems.
A significant part of the year (accounting for one-quarter of the overall degree mark) is the project, which is assessed by literature review and a written report.
The final year contributes 60% to your overall degree mark.
Course unit details
This course is modular. You will study compulsory course units and choose some optional units.
Most units are assigned 10 credits and you will take 120 credits each year.
Course content for year 1
You will gain a broad introduction to biological sciences, covering key concepts such as:
- biochemistry
- genetics
- molecular biology
Year 1 also provides an introduction to the essential data handling and laboratory skills required for all biological scientists.
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Tutorials Year 1 | BIOL10000 | 10 | Mandatory |
| Biochemistry | BIOL10212 | 10 | Mandatory |
| Molecular Biology | BIOL10221 | 10 | Mandatory |
| From Molecules to Cells | BIOL10232 | 10 | Mandatory |
| Introduction to Laboratory Science | BIOL10401 | 10 | Mandatory |
| Introduction to Experimental Biology - Molecular & Cellular Biology | BIOL10412 | 10 | Mandatory |
| Genes, Evolution and Development | BIOL10521 | 10 | Mandatory |
| Writing and Referencing Skills (online unit) | BIOL10741 | 0 | Mandatory |
| Health & Safety online course | BIOL12000 | 0 | Mandatory |
| History of Biology | BIOL10381 | 10 | Optional |
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Course content for year 2
You will continue your studies in greater depth and begin to specialise. You will also undertake a dissertation.
In the Research Skills unit, you have the opportunity to carry out techniques that are widely used in current biological science research.
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Tutorials Year 2 | BIOL20000 | 10 | Mandatory |
| Cell Biology RSM | BIOL20322 | 10 | Mandatory |
| Molecular and Cellular Biology EDM | BIOL21041 | 10 | Mandatory |
| The Dynamic Cell | BIOL21121 | 10 | Mandatory |
| Cell Membrane Structure & Function | BIOL21141 | 10 | Mandatory |
| Science Communication | BIOL21392 | 10 | Mandatory |
| Genome Maintenance & Regulation | BIOL21101 | 10 | Optional |
| Proteins | BIOL21111 | 10 | Optional |
| Cell Metabolism & Metabolic Control | BIOL21132 | 10 | Optional |
| `Omic Technologies & Resources | BIOL21152 | 10 | Optional |
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Course content for year 3
Final year topics reflect the current hotspots of bioscience endeavour and the research interests of our staff, and are constantly being updated.
You will undertake an independent in-depth research project that may involve supervised practical work in a laboratory, or you may choose to work on e-learning, educational, data analysis, bioinformatics or enterprise topics.
Please note the course units listed below are just a small selection and do not represent the number and breadth of course units available on this course.
Course units for year 3
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Tutorials Year 3 | BIOL30000 | 0 | Mandatory |
| Projects | BIOL30030 | 40 | Mandatory |
| Gene Regulation & Disease (E) | BIOL31381 | 10 | Optional |
| Protein Sorting (L) | BIOL31411 | 10 | Optional |
| Cell Signalling (E) | BIOL31441 | 10 | Optional |
| Advanced Developmental Biology (E) | BIOL31642 | 10 | Optional |
| Molecular Biology of Cancer (E) | BIOL31742 | 10 | Optional |
| Stem Cells (L) | BIOL31751 | 10 | Optional |
| Cell Adhesion (L) | BIOL31771 | 10 | Optional |
Scholarships and bursaries
What our students say
I most enjoy getting hand-on experience in the lab. I have just finished a summer placement at the University and look forward to my third year project. The course at Manchester stands out because you are offered a wet-lab project, enabling you to get real lab experience before graduating.
Helen Fox
The biological sciences department at Manchester offers a high level of support to its students. During my time at Manchester, I have been able to approach my personal tutor with any problems I have encountered, both during and out of term time. It's nice to know that there's always a member of staff who cares about your problems.
Jessica Lee
Find out more about what it's like to study at Manchester on the Biology, Medicine and Health Student Blog .
Facilities
Learning facilities
Our modern teaching labs are equipped for a range of biological and biomedical techniques. The following are just a few of the techniques you could undertake during your degree:
- polymerase chain reaction (PCR);
- DNA sequencing;
- gel electrophoresis;
- spectrophotometry;
- dissection and histology;
- electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG);
- immunofluorescence microscopy.
Our computing facilities include access to over 200 PCs in dedicated clusters and e-learning tools including online lecture notes, discussion boards, lecture podcasts and quizzes.
You will also have access to the University's other facilities for undergraduate students.
Research facilities
As a final year student, you have the opportunity to undertake a project in the labs of our world-class bioscience researchers.To support our research, we have extensive research facilities equipped with high-quality technology.