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. This degree course offers a comprehensive and extensive academic training in biology, together with experience of the wider applied needs of the community of biology. At Reading, you can approach the subject 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. On this course, you will undertake the full three-year Biological Sciences degree, with a year spent out in an industrial or institute environment between your second and final year. The course is ideal for you if you wish to gain more insight before committing yourself to any specific field of biology, yet you still want to develop a career within the industry. In the early stages of this degree, you will develop a in core topics essential to the understanding of the whole range of biological sciences. As the course progresses, you will be encouraged to specialise by following either a biomolecular or bio-environmental theme and choosing modules in your second and final year that reflect more specific interests, such as zoology, biochemistry and human pathology. This interest will then be strengthened by spending a one-year placement in a work environment. Our close links with industrial and institute laboratories enable you to receive professional training in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries or environmental laboratories. Successful selection for a placement is however dependent on an excellent track record, meaning that you will really need to be a highly motivated individual if you opt for this course. 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.