Biology
Biology is the science of life in all its forms, from the molecular machinery of cells to the behaviour of organisms and the dynamics of ecosystems. It encompasses the study of genetics, evolution, physiology, ecology and cell biology, asking how living systems work, how they have developed over evolutionary time, and how they interact with each other and with their environments. At a moment when biodiversity loss, infectious disease and the effects of climate change are reshaping ecological systems worldwide, the rigorous study of biology has rarely been more important.
At the University of Portsmouth, this three-year full-time programme includes a sandwich year in professional placement, a year abroad and a work placement, giving you extensive practical and international experience as part of your degree. The programme is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, reflecting the quality of its academic foundations and the skills it develops in graduates. You will study across the breadth of the biological sciences, building a thorough grounding in molecular biology, cell biology, physiology, ecology and evolutionary biology, while developing the practical laboratory, field and data analysis skills that professional biologists use.
The sandwich placement and work placement give you direct experience of biology in action across sectors such as healthcare, conservation, environmental science and research.
Graduates from biology programmes pursue careers in research, conservation, environmental consultancy, healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, food science, teaching and science communication. Many go on to postgraduate study at masters or doctoral level, specialising in areas such as ecology, molecular biology, genetics, environmental science or biomedical research. The analytical and laboratory skills developed through a biology degree are also valued in data science, science policy and public health.
The Royal Society of Biology accreditation provides a recognised professional benchmark that is valued by both employers and postgraduate institutions.