Human Biology
 Human Biology (Major).jpg)
UCAS Code: Combined Honours only – see combinations tab|Duration: 3|Full Time|Hope Park
UCAS Campus Code: L46
International students can apply|Study Abroad opportunities
About the course
Human Biology is an ever-evolving branch of science which 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 of key areas of the discipline.
The curriculum includes the disciplines of: anatomy and physiology of the human body, cell and molecular biology, genetics and immunology. These are covered in the context of both normal healthy bodily-function and in contemporary disease states, including: obesity, cancer, diabetes, CVD, ageing and a selection of other diseases. Students will benefit from being taught by research-active staff with different research specialisms from across the School of Health and Sport Sciences.
Graduates leave the programme with a rounded set of subject-specific and key-transferable skills, and with experience in a wide range of biological science lab techniques. Students will gain experience, competence and confidence through small group learning, preparing 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 small group tutorials. Practical labs are a strong feature of the course and students are typically taught in this environment most term weeks. First year students may have the opportunity to take part in a short field trip to the University’s Plas Caerdeon outdoor education facility in North Wales.
In the first year of study, there are approximately 12 teaching hours each week of Human Biology, which reduces to approximately 10 teaching hours in the second and third years. On top of usual teaching hours, students 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. Staff are available every week for one-to-one tutorial meetings in their office hours.
Assessment and feedback
In the Human Biology programme, there are 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 students to excel. Assessment types include: scientific/laboratory reports, critiques, essays, individual and group oral/poster presentations, MCTs, portfolios, case studies, and practical lab/data-driven tests. We provide comprehensive online feedback for all coursework and future support, with the opportunity to discuss this further with academics if required.
In the third year, students complete an independent research project in Human Biology or a double-weighting dissertation combining both subject studies for the combined combined honours awards. This permits specialism 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 is also the opportunity for some 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
The Origins of Life
Your certificate-level understanding of human biology starts with cell biology and the chemistry of life. Specific focus is given to cell structure and function, cell division and the cell cycle, cell specialisation and cooperation.
Systems of the Human Body
This provides a strong foundation of knowledge of human biology by developing your understanding of the structure and function of the human body, its systems, how they work and their dysfunction in disease. All major body systems are explored from the cellular level through to whole organs and systems integration through neural and hormonal control. Key systems include: the heart and cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory, musculoskeletal, nervous, renal and urogenital, endocrine and immune systems.
Genetics, Heredity and Human Evolution
This teaching block provides you with an introduction to genetics, heredity and human evolution. Particular reference will be made to the structure and function of genes and chromosomes, cell division, principles of human heredity and human evolution.
Essential Laboratory Techniques
This highly applied part of the course provides a programme of laboratory work where you will learn the fundamentals of practical biological experimentation and problem solving in our Bioscience labs. These practical laboratory classes will support deeper learning of theoretical concepts through the application of knowledge in order to understanding key biological data. There is a strong focus on developing baseline competency in key lab techniques in the discipline, with a clear emphasis on risk assessment and working safely in the labs.
Study Skills & Research Methods
A key outcome of undergraduate study is the transferable skills that you acquire, such as those in scientific writing, presenting information, referencing, working within teams, interpreting data, data analysis and understanding evidence. Dedicated time is given for developing these skills within the curriculum to directly improve your degree outcome and employability prospects.
Year Two
Immunology
In this very important branch of human biology, you will gain an understanding of innate, active/passive and adaptive immunity. Acute and chronic inflammatory processes will also be studied so that you will gain a deeper understanding of disease processes and biological dysfunction in the human body.
Molecular Biology
This focuses on the structure and function of biologically important molecules that govern cell function and biological activity in and between cells. You will learn about DNA, RNA and specific proteins while exploring examples of the uses of molecular biology in medical diagnostics and the modern world (e.g. crime).
Human Diseases
You will study the pathophysiolical basis of diseases affecting a variety of organ systems (chronic, infectious and age-related). You will understand the nature and progression of common diseases such as: gastrointestinal tract pathologies, diabetes and metabolic disease, CVD, respiratory, neurological and musculoskeletal pathologies. The microbiome, dysbiosis and epidemiology are further topics that will supplement the multidisciplinary approach taken in this part of the course. You will also study epidemiology fundamentals, where you will be introduced to the surveillance techniques and analytical approaches to monitoring and responding to human biological diseases.
Investigative Methods in Disease Biology and Practical Techniques in Molecular and Cellular Biology
Across the second year, you will continue a programme of more advanced lab-based practicals and seminars which will extend your subject-specific and transferable skill set. Lab practicals will include for example; the assessment of biomarkers of health and disease; DNA extraction and amplification. This component of the course will also focus on increasing your confidence with different research methodologies and problem solving with a view to preparing you for your final year research project.
Year Three
Degenerative Disease Biology
Across the second year, you will continue a programme of more advanced lab-based practicals and seminars which will extend your subject-specific and transferable skill set. Lab practicals will include for example; the assessment of bone density and EMG in health and disease; Western blots quantification.
Immunology
This specialist part of the course focuses on immunology and will provide you with a further understanding of the complexities of normal function and dysfunction of the immune system.
Cell Signalling
You will develop and apply your understanding of molecular biology and biochemistry to gain a more in depth understanding of cell-signalling pathways. This will enable an appreciation of how cells communicate to regulate different functions and maintain the internal environment. Deeper understanding will be secured through research-informed teaching centered on contemporary diseases e.g. diabetes, osteoporosis and asthma. Here you will explore the consequences of cell-signalling pathway dysregulation on disease manifestation.
Pharmacology and Research Methods
You will further develop key skills and theoretical knowledge of research methods, including clinical trial design and statistical analysis that will increase your confidence in preparation for your final year research project. You will also learn about some aspects of pharmacology for disease treatment including gene therapy and plant pharmacology.
Clinical Genetics
Advanced concepts in clinical genetics forms the final curriculum block at third year. This contemporary topic provides you with an advanced understanding of how changes in cell function can affect the way your genes work. Interesting topics covered include epigenetics, a branch of science which is gaining traction globally in biological research.
Human Biology Research Project
You are equipped with the necessary applied skills through first and second year and concurrently at third year to enable you to plan and undertake this important 15-credit research project. As a combined honours student, you have the option of undertaking an integrated dissertation (30-credits), with agreement from both of your subjects. Undertaking a research project in the final year enables the further acquisition of key skills including 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 | BCC |
|---|---|
| UCAS Tariff Points | 104 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. Appropriate Foundation year may be considered as an alternative pre-requisite |
| BTEC | DMM |
| Access to HE | 104 Tariff Points |
| IB | 24 |
| Irish Leaving Certificate | 104 Tariff Points from Higher Level qualifications only |
| Welsh Baccalaureate | This qualification can only be accepted in conjunction with other relevant qualifications |
| T-Levels | Merit |
| 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 key discipline-specific and transferrable skills suitable for research, scientific report writing, lab-work, data analysis and other types of written and oral communications. Recent graduates have entered careers in public health, medical writing, research laboratories, healthcare and scientific/technical roles in the biosciences. Others have pursued postgraduate study in the form of Masters degrees or doctorates. Others have pursued general graduate vacancies and training programmes teaching, academia, management and accountancy.
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 2025/26 academic year are £9,535* 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 £9,535*.
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.
*subject to Council approval.
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 2025/26 are £14,500.
Visit our International fees page for more information.
Course combinations
This course is only available as a Combined Honours degree with the following subjects:
| Degree Title |
|---|
| Human Biology and Criminology |
| Human Biology and Food & Nutritional Sciences |
| Human Biology and Health & Wellbeing |
| Human Biology and Sport & Exercise Science |