1. science
2. biology

Biology –the science of life
Why study biology?
1. It is highly relevant to everyday life: from
your own health, to the country’s food
supply and control of disease.
2. Biology is one of the most dynamic fields of study in terms of
the practical - stem cell therapy ; the conceptual - the synthetic
cell (top right); and the future - memory augmentation surgery?
personalised medicine?
3.
The biological sciences
are the most diverse of subjects
– from molecular biology to the
biosphere. A qualification in
biology equips you with skills:
literacy, numeracy, socially
awareness, and an ability to
make connections between
natural, social, economic,
political and technological fields.
4. Biologists have many opportunities: the pharmaceutical
industry; clinical and health professions; conservation;
agriforestry.
British
biologists
are world
famous
What do biologists do?
From What do Graduates Do? 2008; What do PhDs Do? 2004
Biology at university
University
(biology rank
in The Times)
Aberystwyth
(75)
Bath
(12)
Bristol
(6)
Leeds
(31)
Liverpool
(33)
Manchester
(8)
Newcastle
(22)
Queen Mary
London (41)
Sheffield
(5)
Leicester
(11)
Sheffield
(5)
York
(4)
Course
Life sciences
Biology
Biology
Biological
sciences
Anatomy and
human biology
Microbiology
Applied
Biology
Biology
Biology
Biological
sciences
Genetics
Biology
Entry
requirements
(A2 / IB)
On an individual
basis
ABB
34
AAA
36
ABB
32-36
ABB
32
AAB
34
ABB
32
BBB
28
ABB
33
ABB
32
ABB
34
ABB
32
Required
first subject
Acceptable
second subject
Interview
Biology
Biology
Biology
Science /
maths
Science /
maths
Science
Biology
Interview
Biology
any
Biology
Science
Biology
any
Biology
Science
Biology
Chemistry/
physics/maths
Geography not
considered
Chemistry
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Note: table for illustration only based on entry profiles 2009-10.
Jess Montgomery OO
Biomedical Science (Leeds Year 2)
‘It’s hard work but a lot of the stuff I covered over the two years at Oakham. In
practicals, luckily I had the experience of using most of the equipment before at
school which many people had not.’
Graham Hill OO
Microbiology (Manchester Year 2)
‘The practicals we did at Oakham were excellent, with excellent equipment.
Electrophoresis is a method I learnt at school, and my CREST project allowed
me to experience techniques we are now covering in my first year course, such
as basic plating techniques. Standard A2 Chemistry is more than sufficient for
the biochemistry element of Microbiology.’
Have you thought about…?
Course
Medical Science
Medical
Physiology
Biomedical
Sciences
Biochemistry
Anatomy
Genetics
Cell Biology
Human Biology
Psychology
Climate science
Forestry
University
Entry
requirements
(A2 / IB)
Birmingham ABB
34
Leicester
ABB
33
Newcastle
ABB
32
Cardiff
ABB
32
Glasgow
ABB
32
Essex
BBC
30
St Andrews AAB
35
Aston
BBB
33
Royal
ABB
Holloway
34
UEA
ABB
32
Bangor
CCB
28
Required
subject
Acceptable
2nd subject
Two
sciences
Biology
Science
Maths
Science
Maths
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Science
Maths
Two
sciences
Biology
Science
Science
Biology
Any
Science
Maths AS
Science
Science
Note: table for illustration only based on entry profiles 2009-10.
Get involved at Oakham
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Biology Society (Bio Soc) (upper school)
Further Biology (upper school)
Biology Challenge (Form 4)
British Biology Olympiad (Form 7)
Nuffield Bursary (Form 6)
CREST Gold Level Project (upper school)
EPQ / Extended Essay IB (Form 6)
Biology Goes Wild (Form 3)
First Aid (Forms 4-6)
Selected Foundation Courses and Degrees in Biological Sciences
University
Course
Aston
Science foundation
year
Science foundation
year
Duration
(years)
Contact
time (per
week)
Each application will be
considered individually
120 UCAS points as a min
1 year
18 hours
1 year
15-20
hours
East Anglia
General Sciences
Foundation Degree/
foundation pathway
in science
200-240 UCAS points
1 year
20 hours
Keele
Science foundation
1 year
24 hours
Kent
Biological sciences
Foundation
1 year
10 hours
Leeds
Interdisciplinary
Science Foundation
1 year
20- 24
hours
Manchester
1.Science with
integrated
Foundation
80 UCAS points in full Level
3 qualifications or relevant
work experience. GCSE
English Lang, Maths C grade
160 points including CC or
above at A level (any
subject), plus GCSE Maths at
Grade C or above
200 UCAS points, GCSE
maths, English and science
grade C or above.
Each application will be
considered individually
1 year
followed by
BSc
20 hours
Bristol UWE
Nottingham
Nottingham
Trent
University
2.Life sciences with
foundation course
1.Engineering and
science Foundation
Each application will be
considered individually
A-level in Biology, chemistry
or physics. GCSE in maths
and science grade C or above
2.Science with
foundation year
A-level BBB in any subjects
but in addition GCSE maths
and a relevant science grade
B plus GCSE English grade
C. IB score 28-30
100 UCAS plus 1 A-level,
preferably in biology
1.Biosciences
Foundation degree
2.Chemical sciences
Foundation degree
Northumbria
Newcastle
Oxford
Brookes
Entry Requirements
Applied Science
extended degree
programme
Chemistry with
Foundation year
Extended science
100 points
120 UCAS points (80 from
one A-level) 5 GCSE's grade
C, maths, English
BBC in science subjects at A
level. GCSE Mathematics
grade B. IB 30 points
Five subjects at GCSE grades
A to C.
Progression after the course
BSc Biology, Chemistry or Computing
Subjects
Biological Sciences, Biomedical
Sciences, Conservation Biology,
Environmental Science, Forensic
Chemistry, Forensic Science, Human
Biology, Psychology, Sports Biology
Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences
and Pharmacy, Environmental Sciences,
Social Sciences, Natural Sciences,
Biomedicine, Mathematics
Computing Sciences
Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical
Science, astrophysics, Environmental
Science, computing science, psychology
Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical
Sciences, Forensic Biology
Access to almost 100 science degree
courses depending on the modules
chosen in the foundation year
Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth
Sciences, Environmental Science/Studies,
Mathematics, Physics / Astronomy,
Textile Technology
1 year
35 hours
Life sciences and biosciences courses
1 year
18 hours
lectures.
35 hours
incl. labs
and selfstudy
Any engineering degree or science
degree such as biology, chemistry
30-35
hours, also
available
part time
18-25
hours
Completion leads to a place in Biology,
Biosciences, Computer Science,
Mathematical Sciences, Physics and
Astronomy, Psychology
Second year on a BSc degree. Or first
year of science related course
18-25
hours
Chemistry, Chemistry with Professional
Practice (part-time), Pharmaceutical and
Medicinal Chemistry
Biology, chemistry, Human nutrition,
Biomedical science and many others
5 years
including
BSc
2 years (1
year if
attainment
is 60%)
2 years
1 year
15-20
hours
1 year
followed by
3 year BSc
1 year
20+ hours
Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry
12 hours
Science degree at Oxford Brookes,
Biology or Chemistry related.
NOTES: 1.The above table is only summary compiled in 2010 by a FdSc student at NTU: consult webpages and prospectuses for full detail
and conditions; 2.Many foundation courses do not result in a qualification, but do allow the student to go on to a degree at the same
university - and occasionally another university. 3. Foundation Courses in medicine and veterinary science are available at some
universities. (K Ferrett, NTU, 2010)
School biology courses
Dual award science IGCSE (Edexcel)
Salters Nuffield A level Biology (AS / A2) (Edexcel)
International Baccalaureate Biology (SL / HL)
Environmental systems and societies (IB SL)
Academic Expertise
Biochemist Ms Fran Cove
Ecologists Mrs Liz Holland & Mrs Sally Wragg
Forester Mrs Sue Healey
Microbiologists Mrs Lydia Dunbavand & Mrs Christine Dainton
Neurophysiologist
Dr Andrew Nicoll
Virologist Dr Patricia Ingles
Head of Department: Dr Patricia Ingles