Biology
Study the science of life – a varied and exciting discipline that takes you from the molecular to whole organisms and entire ecosystems.
in the East of England for undergraduates employed as managers, directors or senior officials.
Source: GOS 2025
Whether your interests lie in cell, molecular and laboratory biology; genetics, evolution and bioinformatics; plants, microbes and biotechnology; or whole organisms, environments, and field skills, on this course you’ll learn to evaluate aspects of all life on earth, including the ways it is under threat.
You’ll discover how a variety of living organisms evolve, their physiology, how they function within their environments – and how these environments can be sustained.
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Find out more about our BSc Biology degree, a varied course that ranges from the molecular, to whole organisms and entire ecosystems.
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Cover all life on earth, from microorganisms to plants, animals and humans, and from genes to whole ecosystems.
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Bring the world of work to life through Live Briefs; developed with employers to give you exposure to ‘real world’ problem-solving.
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Build a strong foundation in laboratory, data science, bioinformatic, and field skills.
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Tailor your degree to your ambitions and interests through optional modules, all underpinned by sustainability.
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Study in Cambridge, the centre of new and emerging technologies in life sciences.
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Gain experience on internships with our research-active staff, or apply for work placements.
Study at an award-winning university
We've received a Gold award for the quality of our education in a UK-wide review of teaching standards. We were also proud to be named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023.
Careers
Alongside a comprehensive knowledge of life on earth, on this course you’ll gain practical laboratory, data science, bioinformatic and field skills.
You’ll also develop crucial skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
These skills will equip you to work in the broad field of science. And we'll help you build experience through field trips, Live Briefs, and connections with local employers who may be able to offer placements.
Teaching and modules
Explore the fundamentals of cells, molecules, and organisms; genetics and evolution; ecology and sustainability; and mathematics and statistics for scientists.
In Year 2, you can start to specialise through a range of optional modules. This includes a field trip to North Devon if you select the Field Skills in Biology module. Here, you'll learn to conduct fieldwork in temperate habitats, identify UK fauna and flora, carry out ecological surveys, and design sampling schemes.
In your final year, you’ll examine your chosen areas through the lens of sustainability, and complete a major independent research project.
Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.
- Principles of Biology (30 credits)
- Mathematics for the Biosciences (15 credits)
- General Microbiology (15 credits)
- Animal Physiology and Behaviour (30 credits)
- Introduction to Ecology and Conservation (30 credits)
- Continuing Professional Development
- Into ARU
- Principles of Genetics (15 credits)
- Ruskin Module (15 credits)
- Preparation for Research (15 credits)
- Continuing Professional Development
- Vertebrate Biology (15 credits) *
- Invertebrate Biology (15 credits) *
- Plants and Microbial Sciences (15 credits) *
- Laboratory Techniques in DNA Manipulation (15 credits) *
- Laboratory Techniques for Bioinformatics (15 credits) *
- Field Skills in Biology (15 credits) *
- Animal Health and Disease (15 credits) *
- GIS and Spatial Ecology (15 credits) *
- Proteomics and Molecular Structures (15 credits) *
- Undergraduate Project (30 credits)
- Developmental Biology and Genetics (15 credits)
- Policy, Globalisation, and Economics of Sustainability (15 credits)
- Biogeography (15 credits) *
- Comparative Ecophysiology (15 credits) *
- Human-Animal Interactions (15 credits) *
- Microbial Pathogenicity (15 credits) *
- Molecular Cell Biology (15 credits) *
- Current Advances in Bioinformatics (15 credits) *
- Current Advances in Plant and Microbial Sciences (15 credits) *
- Current Advances in Evolution and Biodiversity (15 credits) *
- Systems Biology (15 credits) *
- Tropical Ecology and Management (15 credits) *
You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.
- Work Placement Life Science
To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.
- Interactive Learning Skills and Communication
- Information and Communication Technology
- Maths for Scientists
- Cellular Biology
- Critical Thinking
- Biology: Physiology
- Chemistry
- Physics for Life Sciences
- Principles of Biology (30 credits)
- Quantitative Techniques and Tools for Biologists (30 credits)
- Introduction to Genetics and Genomics (15 credits)
- Physiology of Organisms (30 credits)
- Ecology and Sustainability (15 credits)
- Continuing Professional Development
- Principles of Genetics (15 credits)
- Ruskin Module (15 credits)
- Preparation for Research (15 credits)
- Continuing Professional Development
- Vertebrate Biology (15 credits) *
- Invertebrate Biology (15 credits) *
- Plants and Microbial Sciences (15 credits) *
- Laboratory Techniques in DNA Manipulation (15 credits) *
- Laboratory Techniques for Bioinformatics (15 credits) *
- Field Skills in Biology (15 credits) *
- Animal Health and Disease (15 credits) *
- GIS and Spatial Ecology (15 credits) *
- Proteomics and Molecular Structures (15 credits) *
- Undergraduate Project (30 credits)
- Developmental Biology and Genetics (15 credits)
- Policy, Globalisation, and Economics of Sustainability (15 credits)
- Biogeography (15 credits) *
- Comparative Ecophysiology (15 credits) *
- Human-Animal Interactions (15 credits) *
- Microbial Pathogenicity (15 credits) *
- Molecular Cell Biology (15 credits) *
- Current Advances in Bioinformatics (15 credits) *
- Current Advances in Plant and Microbial Sciences (15 credits) *
- Current Advances in Evolution and Biodiversity (15 credits) *
- Systems Biology (15 credits) *
Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.
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Dr Max Carter-BrownLecturer
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Dr Ben GregsonLecturer
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Dr Bas BootsSenior Lecturer
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Dr Harisree Paramel NairSenior Lecturer in Biomedical Science
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Dr Caray A WalkerSenior Lecturer
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Dr Joseph J BaileySenior Lecturer
Facilities
As a Biology student at ARU, you’ll use state-of-the-art facilities.
These include a 200-station biosciences laboratory in our £45m Science Centre, and award-winning IT and library facilities.