Undergraduate prospectus 2020

Entry requirements

Modules - what you study and when

The modules listed below are examples from the last academic year. There may be some changes before you start your course. For the very latest module information, check with the department direct.

Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology website

First year

Core modules:

Second year

Core modules:

Third year

Core modules:

Optional modules:

The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers.

In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.

Learning and assessment

These figures give an indication of how you'll learn and be assessed. They're a combined average of all the years of the course. The learning and assessment percentages could vary depending on the modules you choose.

Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Molecular biology crosses the boundaries of cell biology, biochemistry, genetics and medical science. Our courses will give you the skills to be part of new developments within these fields throughout your career.

We'll challenge you to achieve your very best. We have small tutorial groups to support your learning, extensive practical experience, and a project in the third year that could involve laboratory research, computing, clinical diagnostics, science communication, or school teaching, depending on your career aspirations.

The course lets you combine topics from biochemistry, genetics and microbiology, so you develop a wide-ranging knowledge of the molecular biosciences. However, the first year is common to all of our courses, meaning that you're not tied to the course you register for. At the end of the first year, you can transfer to any course in the department: Biochemistry, Genetics, Microbiology, and combinations of these subjects.

Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology website

What our graduates do

Many of our graduates are employed in pharmaceuticals and health care, food safety and manufacture, brewing and agrochemicals, forensic science and as NHS scientists. They also work in education, the scientific civil service, bioinformatics or medical schools. Others use their skills in management and commerce. Many choose further study and go on to do research for organisations all over the world.

Student profile

Your degree puts you at the heart of the discoveries we are making in the molecular biosciences. The world-leading academics who teach our courses are here to help equip you for careers in areas that include pharmaceuticals, healthcare, medicine, agrochemicals, food and genetics.



"The module choices allow you to be specific to a particular field such as biochemistry or to gain a broader knowledge across several fields such as genetics and molecular cell biology."

Jason Brocklesby