Biological Sciences - University of Reading

If you are passionate about biology and want to find out more about the many different aspects of our living world, then this is the course for you. With a wide variety of modules available, you can choose to study those that really align with your interests. You can also specialise in a particular area such as ecology and wildlife, where you will develop an understanding of ecology, conservation biology and humankind's impact on biodiversity, or human biology, where you will develop understanding of human physiology and the basis of disease. Our teaching staff are experts in their fields and you will have access to a range of research facilities and resources, including a purpose-built microbiology building, spectrophotometers, centrifuges and ultracentrifuges and real-time PCR. Outside of the labs, our award-winning campus is home to over 1,000 different animal species and is extremely useful for learning fieldwork skills. We are also home to the Cole Museum of Zoology and a herbarium, which house vast collections and offers volunteering opportunities. There is a strong practical element to this course which means that in addition to gaining subject specifc knowledge you will also develop skills in carrying out fundamental cellular and molecular techniques. Optional field courses run throughout the degree and offer the chance to apply your skills and knowledge in a different environment. Past fieldtrip locations have included Devon, South Africa, Florida and Spain. In your final year you could spend 11 weeks working on an original research project using cutting edge facilities and equipment; previous topics have focused on gene therapy of muscular dystrophy, emerging viral infections, the regulation of the stress response, stem cell biology, the spread of cancer and the control of blood clotting. We provide advice on finding placements and have a dedicated staff member to support you in this. Previous students having undertaken paid vacation studentships funded by external organisations such as the Wellcome Trust and the Nuffield Foundation. **Careers** During the course, emphasis is placed on developing transferable skills such as computer literacy, information retrieval, data handling and communication skills. You could find employment in a wide range of roles across sectors including healthcare, agriculture, commercial manufacturing, environmental management and publishing. You may also decide to take up a research career or move into further study.