Biological Sciences (Direct Entry)
Glasgow Caledonian University
UCAS Code: C100 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Glasgow Caledonian University
UCAS Code: C100 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
Scottish HNC
Year 2: HNC 15 credits in relevant subject - graded unit B - to include DNA and Genetics, and Human Body Structure and Function
Scottish HND
Year 3: HND in relevant subject - graded units BB to include DNA and Genetics, Human Body Structure and Function, and Human Metabolism
About this course
This programme is Direct Entry. This means we offer entry to Year 2 and Year 3. If you are looking to join GCU at Year 1 please consider our BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science or BSc (Hons) Pharmacology degree programmes.
Recent advances in the field of Biological Sciences have revolutionised the way we understand and treat disease. Stem cell and novel cell based therapies and personalised medicine are increasingly in the headlines and Biological Scientists are leading the way in developing these powerful new therapeutic options. Modern medicine requires an understanding of the key interactions of molecules and cells both internally within the cell and the body and externally from the environment. This can include how a cell responds to a specific pathogen, or how a drug targets a specific pathogen or cellular protein. Equally, external stimuli, such as chemicals, toxic waste or carcinogens, can also have an effect on how cells grow and divide, modifying their function with devastating consequences for health. The Biological Sciences programme at GCU has a strong focus on human disease and aims to help you understand these events, and demonstrate how therapies that may correct or prevent the diseased state are developed.
Biological Sciences is the study of biology from molecules through to whole body systems, looking at what goes on inside a cell or organism and examining how cells communicate and interact with each other to influence physiological mechanisms in health and disease.
The Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences has an excellent teaching and research record. It combines a friendly learning environment with state-of-the-art facilities. It offers a range of support tailored to individual needs where necessary, including open door access. Major emphasis is placed upon laboratory work throughout the programme. This enhances your learning, by linking theory with practice, giving you the lab skills which employers seek.
Modules
YEAR 2: CORE SKILLS IN BIOSCIENCE, INTRODUCTION TO MICROBIOLOGY, MECHANISMS OF CELLULAR REGULATION, PRACTICAL SKILLS IN BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCES, FUNDAMENTAL CELL BIOLOGY, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: FROM HEALTH TO DISEASE
YEAR 3: MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS PLUS two from ANALYSIS OF FOOD, BIOTECHNOLOGY, CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY, FUNDAMENTALS OF DRUG ACTION, SYSTEMATIC & CELLULAR PATHOLOGY.
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN & ANALYSIS PLUS two from CELL SIGNALLING & TRAFFICKING THERAPIES FOOD SCIENCE, FOOD COMMODITIES & SUSTAINABILITY, GENOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS, NUTRITION & PUBLIC HEALTH, PHARMACOLOGY OF CHEMICAL MEDIATORS OR BIOSCIENCE PLACEMENT
YEAR 4: PROJECT & WORKSHOP, BIOLOGY OF DISEASE, TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE PLUS two from CONCEPTS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASE, FOOD TOXICOLOGY, MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF MICROBIAL PATHOGENICITY, NEUROPHARMACOLOGY, TISSUE NETWORKS & DISEASE
Tuition fees
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The Uni
Glasgow Caledonian University
Department of Life Sciences
What students say
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Biosciences (non-specific)
Sorry, no information to show
This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Biosciences (non-specific)
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
These stats refer to the prospects of graduates from general courses in biosciences. About a quarter go into further study and for those who go into work, bioscience, teaching and finance jobs are the most common types of employment. But you can go into most careers with this kind of degree — the majority of jobs for graduates don’t ask for a particular degree subject - and you will acquire a wide range of skills valued by many employers. If you want to find out more specifically about the prospects for your chosen subject, it might be a good idea to go on open days and talk to tutors about what previous graduates from your chosen subject went on to do.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Biosciences (non-specific)
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£23k
£28k
£31k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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Higher entry requirements
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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).
This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.
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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.
You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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