Let your fascination drive your education and career! Biological science covers all aspects of the study of living organisms from microorganisms, such as viruses and bacteria, to multicellular organisms, such as flowering plants, animals and humans. Course overview BSc Biological Sciences at Reading is designed to provide you with a comprehensive and extensive understanding of the biological world. This programme will suit you if you're looking to study the whole breadth of biology throughout their degree (e.g. those envisaging a career in teaching or journalism) or who wishes to gain more insight before committing themselves to any specific field of biology. The course is modular, enabling you to mix and match your own selection of modules. However, there is also plenty of opportunity to specialise. Indeed, many students follow either a biomolecular or bio-environmental theme and choose modules in their second and final years that reflect more specific interests, such as zoology, biochemistry, human pathology etc. At the end of your first year, you may also opt to move into one of our more specialist degree programmes if you wish. Studies can be approached at all levels of biological organisation from the molecular, to the cellular, to the whole organism physiology, to the study of communities through ecology, environmental biology and conservation. School of Biological Sciences The School of Biological Sciences is a research intensive institution, which prides itself on the excellence and relevance of its degree courses. The School was formed in 2005 from the former Schools of Animal and Microbial Sciences, Applied Statistics and Plant Sciences. This has resulted in the formation of a School with a formidable range of expertise, and this unique combination makes Reading a very attractive place to work and study. The School consists of two sections: Biomedical Sciences Biomedical science is presently at an extremely exciting stage, driven by technological advances that allow us to conduct experiments that would have been unthinkable only a few years ago. Staff from Biomedical sciences conduct work that maintains Reading university at the forefront of research developments. With more than 25 members of academic staff, the research interests within Biomedical Sciences are diverse and encompass the whole range of the biomedical sciences. Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Research in this section deals primarily in ecology and evolutionary biology and the applied links between these disciplines, wildlife conservation and the biological control of agricultural pests and diseases.

The demand for biologists has never been greater and you will be entering a discipline that is at the very forefront of medical, technological and environmental advances. As the frontiers within biology extend, so too do the range of career opportunities. Within a few months of graduating you may find yourself on the front line of cancer or gene therapy research, or involved in creating new habitats to conserve wildlife e.g. as species come under pressure from climate change or urbanisation. Our graduates are qualified to enter a variety of careers in the biological sciences, including work in industry (pharmaceuticals, biomedical, agrochemicals), government service (research institutes and bodies such as the Environment Agency) and other public bodies (local conservation units, animal charities). As numerate scientists, our graduates also have the option of entering a wide variety of commercial and business occupations. Some of our graduates also continue their studies to Masters or PhD level and may pursue a career in research.