Human Biology
UCAS Code: Combined Honours only – see combinations tab|Duration: 3|Full Time|Hope Park|UCAS Campus Code: L46Work placement opportunities|International students can apply|Study Abroad opportunities
About the course
Human Biology is an ever-evolving branch of science that includes the study of the human body, the changes that occur in disease, and the interaction between humans and their environment. With this in mind, the Human Biology Combined Honours curriculum has been designed to provide a contemporary and dynamic programme to challenge students across a broad base, but with depth in areas of staff specialisms.
The curriculum includes the foundation disciplines of anatomy and physiology, cellular and molecular biology, human metabolism and immunology. These will be delivered in the context of contemporary health issues including aging, obesity, cancer, infectious and non-communicative chronic diseases. Students will benefit from the input of research active scientists from across the range of disciplines within the School of Health Sciences. This will support the development of an integrated, innovative and applied programme of study that is the cornerstone of the curriculum of the School of Health Sciences. Graduates will leave the programme with a fully rounded skill set and with experience in a wide range of standard and specialist lab techniques. Graduates will gain experience, competence and confidence through small group learning, giving specialist and transferable skills, allowing them to succeed in a competitive and demanding employment market.
Course structure
Teaching on this degree is structured into lectures, where all students are taught together, seminars and lab practicals of smaller groups of around 15 - 20 students, and tutorials that typically have no more than 10 students. Lab practicals are a strong feature of the course and you typically be taught in this environment 2-3 hours every week. On top of teaching hours, first year students will take part in a short fieldtrip to the University’s Plas Caerdeon outdoor education facility in North Wales.
In your first year of study, there are approximately 12 teaching hours each week, which reduces to approximately 10 teaching hours in your second and third years. On top of usual teaching hours, you are also expected to spend approximately 30 hours studying independently each week (across both subjects), as well as studying in groups to prepare for any group assessments that you may have. Staff are available for 3 hours per week for one-to-one tutorial meetings in their office hours.
Assessment and feedback
During your degree, you will have a number of coursework assessments, as well as examinations in the summer term of the second and third year. These exams are typically worth 25% of the second and third years.
Assessments are wide-ranging in design and format, enabling you as the learner to excel. Assessment types include: scientific/laboratory reports, critiques, essays, individual and group oral presentations, MCTs, portfolios, case studies, and practical laboratory tests. We provide comprehensive online feedback for all coursework and future support, with the opportunity to discuss this further with academics if required.
In your third year, you will complete an independent research project in Human Biology(worth 12.5% of your final year) or a double-weighting dissertation combining both your chosen subjects. This will allow you to specialise in a particular topic of interest, whilst being guided through the process by an expert in the field.
Curriculum overview
Human Biology has been designed to enable students to study a broad range of relevant topics within the discipline. There will be also be the opportunity for specialism through in-depth study in particular areas, with a framework of learning, teaching and assessment that encourages deep, independent, yet supported application of knowledge and understanding.
Year One
Introduction to Human Biology
Introduction to Human Biology will provide you with biological knowledge and understanding of the structure and function of the human body and how it works. All major body systems will be explored from the cellular and molecular level through to whole organs and systems integration. Students will also be introduced to principles of biochemistry and organic chemistry. It is expected throughout the course that knowledge and understanding will be applied to the medical context whereby dysfunction from disease and ageing will follow on naturally from normal organ function. The year will end with a study of heredity, genetics and human variation. Research methods are integrated both within lectures, seminars and tutorials, with rigorous application of scientific method underpinning all activities. Practical skills are pivotal; students will learn, consolidate and practice their skills each week in the laboratory. Assessment will include a portfolio of various assessments, practical lab write-ups and lab diaries, MCTs, group projects and case-study reports.
Curriculum content:
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Human Body
- From Molecules to Humans
- Genetics, Genomics and Human Variation
- Essential Laboratory Techniques
Year Two
Explorations in Human Biology
Building on the foundations of first year, you will begin the more detailed study of the integrated function of the human body and the biological changes that occur through dysfunction or disease. The pathophysiological concepts will be introduced from a variety of perspectives and will include exploring metabolic biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, disease pathology, microbiology and epidemiology in more depth. You will learn through both lectures and more advanced practical laboratory activities, further building your skills as a field and lab scientist, while becoming more specialist in these academic disciplines. This is a challenging and interesting year in which to explore you own emerging specialisms.
Curriculum content:
- Determinants of Health and Disease
- Human Metabolism
- Immunology and Clinical Genetics
- Epidemiology
- Investigative Methods in Disease Biology
- Practical Techniques in Molecular and Cellular Biology
Year Three
Advanced Studies in Human Biology
Advanced study of any discipline requires students to draw on the knowledge and understanding that they have acquired from the previous years of study. In your third year you will develop an excellent understanding of the mechanisms by which diseases affect the human body and how pharmacological therapy targets and treats contemporary medical conditions. The curriculum incorporates the research specialisms of the teaching team and will include the advanced study of current areas of research, such as ageing, dementia, obesity, cardiovascular disease, genetics, pharmacology and clinical drug treatments for the future. This year will be both challenging and rewarding, as you take forward an area of particular interest through completion of a research project under the expert supervision of one of our academic team.
Curriculum content:
- Genetic and Molecular Basis of Human Disease
- Contemporary and Advanced Lab Techniques in Human Biology
- Research Project
You will be equipped with the necessary skills through levels C and I and concurrently at Level H to enable you to plan and undertake this important laboratory-based research project. As a combined honours student, you will have the option of undertaking 2 smaller 15-credit projects in each of your chosen disciplines or, by agreement, undertaking an integrative dissertation (30-credits). It is envisaged that you will progress to spend one day per week in the laboratory on your dissertations (3-4 hours per week for research projects). The research project/dissertation is underpinned by you demonstrating good lab practice, sound research design and execution, health and safety awareness, legal and ethical aspects of human research and strong data handling and analysis skills.
Entry requirements
| A-Levels | BBC |
|---|---|
| UCAS Tariff Points | 112 UCAS Tariff points must come from a minimum of two A Levels (or equivalent). Additional points can be made up from a range of alternative qualifications BTEC DMM Appropriate Foundation year may be considered as an alternative pre-requisite |
| BTEC | DMM |
| Access to HE | 112 Tariff Points |
| IB | 28 |
| Irish Leaving Certificate | 112 Tariff Points from Higher Level qualifications only |
| Welsh Baccalaureate | This qualification can only be accepted in conjunction with other relevant qualifications |
| Subject Requirements | A Science (preferably Biology/Human Biology) A Level or equivalent; Maths GCSE; English GCSE; Science Double or Individual Biology GCSE. |
International entry requirements
| Specific Country Requirements | Select your country |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 overall (with reading and writing at 6.0) and no individual score lower than 5.5. We also accept a wide range of International Qualifications. For more information, please visit our English Language Requirements page. |
Careers
Human Biology graduates offer skills in specialised laboratory and field-based research, scientific report writing, data analysis and other types of written and oral communications. Recent graduates have entered careers in bioscience/biomedicine, biotechnology, medical writing, research laboratories, healthcare, diagnostic and forensic laboratories and similar scientific and technical jobs. Others have pursued postgraduate study in the form of Masters degrees or doctorates. Biologists can also pursue general graduate vacancies and training programmes in business, management, accountancy, teaching or academia.
Enhancement opportunities
SALA
The Service and Leadership Award (SALA) is offered as an extra-curricular programme involving service-based experiences, development of leadership potential and equipping you for a career in a rapidly changing world. It enhances your degree, it is something which is complimentary but different and which has a distinct ‘value-added’ component. Find out more on our Service and Leadership Award page.
Study Abroad
As part of your degree, you can choose to spend either a semester or a full year of study at one of our partner universities as part of our Study Abroad programme. Find out more on our Study Abroad page.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2022/23 academic year are £9,250 for full-time undergraduate courses.
If you are a student from the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, your tuition fees will also be £9,250.
The University reserves the right to increase Home and EU Undergraduate and PGCE tuition fees in line with any inflationary or other increase authorised by the Secretary of State for future years of study.
Additional costs
You will also need to consider the cost of field trips, text books, and a laboratory coat, which we estimate to cost around £300 per academic year.
Scholarships
We have a range of scholarships to help with the cost of your studies. Visit our scholarships page to find out more.
International tuition fees
The International Tuition fees for 2022/23 are £11,400.
Visit our International fees page for more information.
Course combinations
This course is also available as a Combined Honours degree with the following subjects: