Biology

Biology is the study of living organisms in all their extraordinary diversity and complexity, from the molecular machinery inside individual cells to the ecosystems that sustain life across the planet. It encompasses genetics, evolution, physiology, ecology, cell biology, microbiology and development, drawing on chemistry, physics and mathematics to build a rigorous scientific understanding of how life works. As both a fundamental science and one with immense practical applications in medicine, agriculture, environmental management and biotechnology, biology sits at the heart of some of the most important scientific questions of our time.

At Swansea University you will study biology over three years of full-time study, exploring living organisms across all scales and developing the knowledge and experimental skills that biological science demands. You will study how organisms function at the molecular and cellular level, how they develop and reproduce, how evolution has produced the diversity of life, and how organisms interact with each other and their environments. The programme develops practical laboratory skills alongside conceptual understanding, and the typical tariff of 136 reflects a programme that expects solid scientific foundations and commitment to experimental and analytical work.

Swansea's coastal location provides distinctive access to marine and coastal ecological systems.

Biology graduates work in research, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, environmental consultancy, conservation, healthcare, agriculture, food science, education and science communication. Many go on to postgraduate study in biological sciences, ecology, genetics, biomedical science, medicine or related fields, and doctoral research is a common route for those aiming at academic or research careers. The analytical, experimental and problem-solving skills developed through biological study are also valued in data analysis, technical writing, science policy and a range of roles where scientific literacy is important.

Biology is a discipline where the combination of curiosity about the natural world and rigorous scientific training leads to a genuinely broad range of possible futures.