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Register nowBiological Sciences
Dramatic and exciting developments in biology in recent years have led to an increasing and varied range of options at UCL. The programme is based within the Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment (GEE) which traces its roots back to the first department of human genetics in the world. GEE is now the hub for a number of specialist research centres, including UCL Genetics Institute, Centre for Life’s Origin and Evolution, Centre for Biodiversity and Environmental Research and the Institute of Healthy Ageing.
Key Information
- Faculty
- Life Sciences
- Department website
- Biological Sciences
- Availability
- Year, Fall Term, Spring Term
- English language level
- Level 4 - see English language requirements for more details.
- Tuition fees
- see Tuition fees for more information
- GPA requirement
- 3.5
- Subject/Module requirements
- Evidence of Biological Modules subjects (e.g. genetics, physiology or molecular biology). Evidence of Maths or Computation and Chemistry or Biochemistry.
Why study Biological Sciences at UCL?
At UCL you will be taught by active researchers within a supportive environment. The Grant Museum of Zoology is an excellent teaching resource and field modules offer you the opportunity to explore the European wildlife. Our London location also allows you to visit world-famous institutions, such as London Zoo and the Natural History Museum. Please note that field courses run out of term-time and have limited numbers. They also need to be booked and paid for in advance (costs of up to £100 per module, per student), in Term 1. Please contact the Affiliate Tutor (see below) as soon as possible if you wish to apply for these modules (BIOL0055, BIOL0007 and BIOL0028). Please note the field modules are not guaranteed to run in 2022/23 as we may need to adapt to the COVID situation.
What you will gain from study at UCL
Studying Biological Sciences at UCL offers you the excitement of examining life processes at all levels. Our modules span the study of cells and organisms, human and animal genes and entire ecosystems. In addition to gaining theoretical understanding, you will be able to explore these subjects further in the laboratory, the field or through bioinformatic analysis.
Teaching and assessment
Since students admitted to this programme for the Fall Term only are unable to sit the end-of-year examinations in the Summer Term, they will be assessed by alternative assessment in December.
Modules in Biological Sciences
Please note that this guide lists a range of popular modules offered as a representative sample. It is not exhaustive and, since the guide is published ahead of time, module options may have changed, been deleted or replaced. If you have very specific study needs or require confirmation of module availability for 2024/25, you are strongly advised to get in touch with the relevant Affiliate contact, listed on this subject page, before making an application.
Level 1 (FHEQ 4) modules
| Module code | Title | Availability | US Credits | ECTS Credits | UCL Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL0001 | Quantitative Biology | Fall Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| BIOL0003 | Introduction to Genetics | Spring Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| BIOL0004 | Life on Earth | Fall Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| BIOL0005 | Fundamentals of Biology | Fall Term (field component Summer Term) | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| BIOL0006 | Methods in Ecology and Evolution | Spring Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| BIOL0055 | Biodiversity and Conservation | Fall Term or Spring and Summer Terms | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
Level 2 (FHEQ 5) modules
| Module code | Title | Availability | US Credits | ECTS Credits | UCL Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL0007 | Introduction to Field Ecology | Spring Term, Summer Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| BIOL0008 | Fundamentals of Molecular Biology | Fall Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| BIOL0009 | Experimental Genetics and Model Systems | Spring Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| BIOL0010 | Introduction to Human Genetics | Fall Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| BIOL0011 | Evolutionary Genetics | Spring Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| BIOL0012 | Animal Biodiversity | Fall Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| BIOL0013 | The Biology of Development | Spring Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| BIOL0014 | Fundamentals of Ecology | Spring Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| BIOL0028 | Field module in Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics | Easter Vacation | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| BIOL0029 | Computational Biology | Fall Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| BIOL0030 | Energy and Evolution | Spring Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
Level 3 (FHEQ 6) modules
| Module code | Title | Availability | US Credits | ECTS Credits | UCL Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL0018 | Advanced Investigative Project in Biological Sciences | Fall Term, Spring Term | 8 | 15 | 30 |
| BIOL0019 | Advanced Research Project in Biological Sciences | Fall Term, Spring Term | 12 | 22.5 | 45 |
| BIOL0020 | Sex, Genes and Evolution | Spring Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| BIOL0021 | Advanced Human Genetics | Fall Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| BIOL0022 | Biology of Ageing | Fall Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| BIOL0025 | Regulatory Genomics and Evolution | Spring Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| BIOL0027 | Diseases of Ageing | Spring Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| BIOL0042 | Plant Evolution and Ecology | Spring Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
Level 4 (FHEQ 7) modules
| Module code | Title | Availability | US Credits | ECTS Credits | UCL Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL0034 | Applications in Human Genetics | Spring Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| BIOL0035 | Vertebrate Life and Evolution | Fall Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
Level 3 (FHEQ 6) and 4 (FHEQ 7) modules
| Module code | Title | Availability | US Credits | ECTS Credits | UCL Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL0032 | Species Conservation and Biodiversity | Spring Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
Contact details
- Name
- Professor Nick Lane
- nick.lane@ucl.ac.uk
- Telephone
- +44 (0)20 7679 1385