Biological Sciences is the key science of the 21st century. It brings together ideas, techniques and information from all areas of biology – from ecology to the molecular sciences. This programme allows you to pursue your own areas of specific interest and to have an appreciation of the full range of the subject. However, should you decide sometime in the first two years that you wish to specialise, you can transfer to a number of programmes in the School of Life Sciences. A progressive series of field, laboratory and lecture modules cover most aspects of the Biological Sciences, with students able to select topics to match their interests. Modules are selected from over 50 offered within the School of Life Sciences. Typical topics include: evolution and biodiversity; animal biodiversity; genetics of higher organisms; fieldwork techniques; animal behaviour and sociobiology; marine resource exploitation; genes and development; physiological control systems; microbiology; molecular biology. In the third year, field courses in Zoology and Ecology are available. You will also undertake a research project that you will choose from one of the various parts of the School to complement the lecture programme chosen for your Honours year. Each project gives an invaluable opportunity to see what real scientific research is like and to work alongside staff who are international authorities in their fields. Why this subject? Breadth and diversity. No other university offers such a large School of Life Sciences alongside and interacting with the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science, and with strong links to the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. Few universities offer our breadth of coverage in Biology – from Honours programmes in Zoology through to a range of degrees in the Biomedical Sciences. Exciting areas of study. Life Sciences are at the crossroads between biology and medicine, and are highly relevant to the growth areas of biomedical, pharmaceutical and post-genomic research. Study abroad or in industry. We offer optional field courses overseas (eg Uganda) in Year Two, and international internships (eg in Thailand and China) during the fourth year of our MBiolSci programme. You can also spend time working in industry as part of our MBiolSci. Excellent career prospects. Career prospects are excellent with rewarding careers in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and other key areas. The School is internationally renowned for its research contribution to these fast moving areas. Our graduates are also well prepared to complete for places on higher degree programmes and for graduate entry to Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science. Supportive. We are a large but friendly School. You will have an allocated personal tutor who can offer you support both formally and via one-to-one drop-in sessions. Excellent facilities. The Biology Teaching Centre has been completely refurbished alongside the £23 million state-of-the-art Biosciences Building and £6.2 million invested in Biomedical Sciences at Liverpool. In 2008 a new Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre to study Drug Safety Science was established in Pharmacology. The Human Anatomy Resource Centre is a £1.5 million investment providing a unique facility for teaching anatomy, supported with the opportunity for cadaveric dissection. These investments have resulted in the appointment of additional world-class researchers and teachers, and a surge in student applications. Flexibility. Our programmes of study are designed to give you flexibility in your choice of modules and pathways. For example, if you are unsure of which area of Life Sciences to specialise in, you can enrol on a programme such as C130 or C100, and specialise once you discover the subjects that you like (and dislike).

As a graduate from this University in the Life Sciences, you will have a good set of career options ahead of you. In addition to all of the opportunities for graduates in general (including careers outside of biology) such as management, accountancy and human resources, where the skills you have obtained in our degree programmes will be of considerable benefit, our degree programmes are also popular routes to postgraduate Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science. For those committed to a career as a research scientist, further study for a higher degree (MBiolSci, MSc, MRes, MPhil or PhD) at the University of Liverpool or elsewhere is the normal route. A postgraduate qualification (PGCE) for entry into the teaching profession is also an option, with significant financial inducements provided to meet the current demand for science teachers. In the public sector, Life Science graduates are in demand in research institutes, government departments, the National Health Service, forensic science and the Environment Agency. Commercial sectors that actively recruit graduates from the Life Sciences include the pharmaceutical, food, biotechnology, water and agriculture industries. There is also an increasing demand for life scientists to contribute to the public understanding of science as journalists and information/liaison officers, in view of the ethical and environmental issues that arise, for example, by developments in molecular biology and biotechnology. Recent employers AstraZeneca Crown Prosecution Service Glaxo Smithkline United Utilities Chester Zoo RSPCA NHS BBC Ministry of Defence Eli-Lilly Unilever Vodafone Environment Agency Health Protection Agency Work experience opportunities Students on our four-year MBiolSci programme have the opportunity to take elective internships abroad at our partner institutions. For example, while at universities in Thailand, students have worked on topics such as coral reef and mangrove ecology, genetics of shrimp development and new drugs for tuberculosis. Students in their final year of the MBiolSci also have the opportunity to work in industry, either for six-week internships or for the entire final year. Students will have the exciting option to undertake a foreign field course in western Uganda which is available when studying a number of our undergraduate degree programmes. The 12-day trip will involve study at both the Kibale National (10 days) and Queen Elizabeth National Parks (two days). Topics covered whilst in Uganda include tropical forest and savannah ecology, biodiversity patterns, primate behaviour and ecology, subsistence versus commercial agricultural practices, and ecotourism. In addition there are numerous opportunities for students to study or work abroad with one of our many worldwide partners. For more information, visit www.liverpool.ac.uk/goabroad Postgraduate opportunities Many of our students decide to stay at Liverpool as postgraduate students. For further information on postgraduate study the prospectus is now online in two areas. One for research (MPhil/PhD) at: www.liv.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/ or for taught courses only at: www.liv.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/