Course Overview
Unlike traditional science degrees, Natural Sciences at Lancaster allows you to pick from a wide choice of scientific areas and study two or more science subjects throughout your degree course. This is a challenging programme as you will be taught to the same depth of understanding as single honours students in each subject. Although primarily a science degree, it is possible to study up to one quarter of your degree in a non-science subject.
All students begin their degree studying three subjects. You can choose three sciences or two sciences and a non-science subject. Subjects include Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Communications, Computing, Engineering (Electronic and Mechanical), Environmental Science, Geography, Mathematics, Physics and Psychology and a wide range of humanities and social sciences.
At the end of this year, you can continue studying all three subjects - selecting the part of each single honours degree scheme that suits your abilities and ambitions. Alternatively, you can drop one subject and continue with a two subject degree.
In your second year, you begin to specialise. In each of your chosen subjects you can select from a series of themes, with a considerable variety of modules. For example, Biological Sciences themes include Cell Biology, Microbiology/Biomedicine, Biochemistry and Genetics and Environmental Biology.
If you are taking our North America degrees, you spend either the second or third year of your course at a prestigious North American university. Recent exchanges have been with the universities of Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Miami, Oregon, British Columbia, Calgary and Toronto. The marks gained in this year count towards your final degree assessment.
On the BSc programme, you continue into your third and final year studying the themes you chose in your second year. Students on our MSci Hons course can choose to complete their studies after three years, and graduate with a BSc degree, or proceed to the fourth year of the MSci degree.
The fourth year of the MSci is aimed at students seeking a career in research and development and contains higher level courses plus a major research project component.
Related Courses
Modules
The Natural Sciences degree is extremely flexible with no compulsory modules. You can study up to three different subjects each taught to the same depth as conventional single honours degree schemes but with less breadth. There are no 'Natural Sciences' modules - you will be taught alongside the single honours students in each discipline. Modules are selected from each subject and combined to make a 'theme'. Themes from different subjects are combined to create your programme of study.
Students will normally take 120 credits worth of modules each year but the weighting between subjects is flexible and can vary between years allowing you to tailor your studies as your abilities, interests and career plans evolve.
For a full module list contact the department.
Entry Criteria
A-level: AAA a minimum of two science A levels are required. Specific subject requirements depend on combination of science subjects to be taken. We normally expect three A-levels
General Studies: Accepted as one of 3 A-levels
Preference: Balance of A-levels depends on individual science subjects to be taken in first year.
Key skills: Not included in offer
GCSE: Mathematics essential (B or higher)
Scottish Highers: AAABB
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: 36 pts overall with 16 pts from best three HL courses
BTEC: DDD grades overall
IELTS: 6.0
Careers
Lancaster's Natural Sciences degree develops skills in data handling, evaluation and interpretation, problem solving in an analytical and logical way, numeracy, IT and project management. These interdisciplinary skills create varied opportunities in many science-related careers.
Previous graduates have entered an extremely varied range of careers, from science-based roles, such as medicine, forensic science and public health, to management, journalism, consultancy and information technology. Many of our graduates have continued on to postgraduate education, both at Lancaster and at other institutions. Recent graduates are now studying Biomedicine and Ecology and the Environment.
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/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