Course Overview
Taught jointly by our Biology tutors and academics from the Department of Psychology, this degree explores the biological processes which underpin human behaviour. You will gain a core knowledge of Biology and Psychology and can choose from a wide selection of modules, starting with modules such as Human Physiology and Cognitive Psychology in your first year and moving on to modules including Genetics and Brain and Behaviour in your second year. Animal Behaviour and Advanced Neuropsychology are options in your final year. Both elements of this degree programme equip you with a range of transferable communication, analytical and interpersonal skills.
Related Courses
Modules
Lancaster degree programmes are flexible, offering students the opportunity to cover a wide selection of subject areas to compliment their degree. The following is an example list of modules which our previous students have studied. For a full list contact the Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences department.
Year 1
- Cell Structure and Function
- Genetics
- Biotechnology
- Protein Biochemistry
- Infection and Immunity
- Hormones and Development
- Human Physiology
- Skills in Biomedical and Life Sciences
- Experimental Design and Data Analysis
- Introduction to Biomedical Sciences
- Biomedicine and Society
- Diagnosis in Biomedical Science
- Evolutionary Biology
- Understanding Psychology
- Advanced Cognitive Psychology
- The Developing Mind
Year 2
- Cognitive Psychology
- Brain and Behaviour
- Developmental Psychology
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
- Practical Physiology
- Medical Microbiology
- Cell Biology Techniques
- Advanced Cognitive Psychology
- The Developing Mind
- Data Collection and Analysis
- DNA Technology
Year 3
- Advanced Cognitive Psychology
- Advanced Human Neuropsychology
- Prozac Nation: Human Psychopharmacology
- Cell Cycle and Stem Cells
- Neurobiology
- Ethics in Biomedicine
- Cancer
- Pathobiology
- Biology of Ageing
- Enhancing your Employability and Career Potential
- Animal Behaviour
- The Developing Mind
- Biological Sciences Research Project
Lancaster University offers the chance to follow a structured study programme or the option to devise a more flexible programme. We divide academic study into 2 sections - Part 1 (Year 1) and Part 2 (Year 2, 3 and sometimes 4). In Part 1 you will take three modules of study which, depending upon your programme, will be drawn from one, two or three different academic subjects, a higher degree of specialisation then develops in subsequent years. For more information about our teaching methods at Lancaster visit our Teaching and Learning section.
For further information about the department, staff and courses please visit the Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences department website.
Entry Criteria
A-level: AAB. To include two science A-levels from Biol/Chem/Comp/Geog/Maths/Physics/Psychology
General Studies: Only accepted if taken as one of four A levels
Key skills: Not included in offer
GCSE: Maths and English Language, grade B
Scottish Highers: ABBBB
Irish Leaving Cert: Offers will be made on the basis of 5 or 6 Higher level subjects.Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office (01524 592028) for further information
International Bacc: 35 points overall with 16 points from best three HL courses
IELTS: 6.5 overall (with at least 6 in each element)BTEC: DDD/DDM
Mature students: Applications welcome
Careers
Your biology training is relevant for careers in academic, industrial or medical research and opens up opportunities in the pharmaceutical and food industries or in environmental consultancy. Around half of our graduates use their skills in a commercial setting while half pursue work in scientific, teaching or caring professions.
Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, you also graduate with the relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability awareness, career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.
Studying
Teaching and Learning Methods
At Lancaster we offer a broad range of learning environments which include the traditional lectures, tutorials, interactive workshops, laboratory and practical activities, student-led seminars and web-based delivery.
The modules which make up a programme of study are assessed using various methods, enabling students to demonstrate their capabilities in a range of ways. Typical coursework assignments include laboratory reports, essays, exercises, literature reviews, short tests, poster sessions and oral presentations. Formal examinations include basic and in-depth questions, essays and data analysis. Students are supervised in the production of final year project reports and dissertations, while students in laboratory classes are supported by demonstrators. Details of the assessment methods for individual modules can be accessed via the university's online module catalogue.
In addition to these learning and teaching methods we encourage independent study, meaning you take responsibility for your own learning. For more information visit our Teaching Approach page.
Assessment Methods
We offer you a variety of stimulating and effective approaches to teaching, learning and assessment. This enables you and your tutors to explore the very latest thinking within your subject and develops your skills in problem solving, analysis and critical reflection, communication, application of knowledge and modern technologies.
As a University, we commit to providing all our undergraduates with a minimum number of contact hours per week, providing you with timely feedback on your work and a maximum number of 15 students per seminar group.
Funding
Lancaster University has committed £2.7m in scholarships and bursaries to help with your fees and living costs. Our financial support depends on your circumstances and how well you do in your A-levels (or equivalent academic qualifications) before starting study with us.
Lancaster University's priority is to support every student to make the most of their life and education. For students starting their study with us in 2014, over 600 each year will be entitled to bursaries and/or scholarships to help them with the cost of fees and/or living expenses. For UK students entering in 2014 we will have the following financial support available:
- An Academic Scholarship of £2,000 for the first year of study to any student from the UK entering with A*, A*, A or equivalent academic qualifications
- An Access Scholarship of £1,000 per year for all UK students from households with an income of less than £42,600 who achieve grades of A*, A, A or the equivalent academic qualifications
- A Lancaster Bursary of £1,000 per annum for all students from England with a household income of more than £25,000 but less than £42,600
- As part of the National Scholarship Programme, a £1,000 Bursary, a £1,000 Fee Waiver and a £1,000 Accommodation Discount in the first year of study, for students from England with a household income of less than £25,000. Plus a Lancaster Bursary of £1,000 in subsequent years.
*All of the financial awards above are subject to approval by the Office for Fair Access July 2013.
For full details of the University's financial support packages including eligibility criteria, please visit our fees and funding page
View details of our current Undergraduate fees.
