- UCAS course code
- C700
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
BSc Biochemistry
Duration: 3 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: C700 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Study abroad
- Typical A-level offer: AAA-AAB including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: AAB-ABC including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: ABB-ABC including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 36-35 points overall with 6, 6, 6 to 6, 6, 5 at HL, including specific requirements
Fees and funding
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £34,500 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Course unit details:
Fundamentals of Evolutionary Biology
| Unit code | BIOL21232 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 10 |
| Unit level | Level 2 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
Fundamentals of Evolutionary Biology aims to provide a deep understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of biological systems. By blending classical theory with cutting-edge examples, this unit will demonstrate how microevolutionary processes lead to the macroevolutionary patterns of life on earth. Fundamental evolutionary concepts and techniques will be used to explain some of the greatest mysteries of life on earth, such as the evolution of sexual reproduction and the origin of modern humans.
Pre/co-requisites
| Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genes, Evolution and Development | BIOL10521 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
Aims
This unit aims to provide a deep understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of biological systems. By blending classical theory with cutting-edge examples, this unit will demonstrate how microevolutionary processes lead to the macroevolutionary patterns of life on earth. Fundamental evolutionary concepts and techniques will be used to explain some of the greatest mysteries of life on earth, such as the evolution of sexual reproduction and the origin of modern humans.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the unit, students will be able to:
- Understand the theoretical basis behind how the forces governing evolution (e.g. mutation, natural selection) work to cause heritable change in natural populations
- Understand the principles and techniques needed to infer phylogenetic relationships among populations and species
- Understand how the processes of speciation and extinction work to create patterns of biodiversity over space and time
- Appreciate how evolutionary forces act to create complex biological systems
- Apply evolutionary concepts to understand the evolution of modern humans
Syllabus
- Evolutionary Forces (mutation, natural selection, genetic drift, migration and non-random mating)
- Phylogenetics and Phlyogeography (concepts and methods to build phylogenetic trees, using phylogenies to study relationships among taxa, geographic patterns of biodiversity)
- Speciation and Macroevolution (mechanisms of speciation, rates of speciation and extinction over time, adaptive radiations)
- Co-evolution and the Evolution of Sex (host-parasite evolution, evolution of virulence, the cost of sexual reproduction, hypotheses for the advantages of sex, why is there a 1:1 sex ratio?)
- Comparative anatomy (homology and modification of form)
- Human Evolution (origin of modern humans, relationships with Neanderthals, global migration patterns)
Employability skills
- Analytical skills
- Quantitative reasoning
- Problem solving
- Ability to analyse and solve basic problems in evolutionary biology
- Research
- Ability to understand research approaches in evolutionary biology
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Other | 20% |
| Written exam | 80% |
20% on-campus mid-term MCQ assessment (online but in PC cluster).
80% end of unit exam to comprise short answer questions (50% of exam) and one essay (50% of exam).
Feedback methods
Provided via (i) assessed mid-unit online assessed exercises, (ii) an online discussion forum for students and lecturers, and (iii) an end-of-unit review session with students and lecturers.
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Assessment written exam | 1.3 |
| Lectures | 22 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 76.7 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| David Gerrard | Unit coordinator |