Choose Life…

A Degree In Biology

At the last count there were over 4,600 courses on offer with a biosciences slant. Great if you like being spoilt for choice but how do you pick the one that’s right for you? There’s always the ‘shut your eyes and stab with a pin’ method but for those of you would like to be that bit more discerning when making a life-altering choice, this is the article for you.

“Avoid choosing a degree that is highly specialised from the start. You will typically have the opportunity to cover a range of disciplines in the first year and specialise more towards the final.”

What will determine your course choice?

The subjects covered?

The study options – e.g. sandwich?

The institution and its location?

Entrance requirements?

Price of drinks in the union?

All of the above?

Subject

First of all think about your studies so far - what topic areas have appealed the most? (Don't limit yourself to Biology - if you enjoy communications/languages/management make a mental note because a lot of courses offer 'biology with...)

e.g. Do you enjoy:

• looking at plants/ animals both?

• working out the function of a structure?

• looking at relationships between plants and animals and their environment?

• looking down a microscope?

• working outdoors?

• analysing your results and looking for patterns?

• caring for people/animals?

• communicating with people?

• making things?

A general biology course will find that it leads on to other things, or you will find topics that you then want to specialise in. Avoid choosing a degree that is highly specialised from the start. You will typically have the opportunity to cover a range of disciplines in the first year and specialise more towards the final year. Disciplines that you might cover include:

• genetics

• ecology

• immunology

• animal behaviour

• biotechnology

• biochemistry

• plant biology

• physiology.

Alternatively, you may want to start in a new area such as agriculture. These courses will combine elements of other disciplines (like management) with the relevant biological bits.

Combined Course

If you have several strong interests and don't want to completely exclude an area from further study, then consider a combined course. Some examples:

• Biology with french

• Biology and business administration

• Biological sciences with education

• Biological sciences and geography

Whichever subject/combination you decide on, look carefully at the course content of any courses that you are considering. Different institutions will concentrate on different aspects of a subject and vary in the options that they offer you.

Sandwich Courses

To get an idea of work in the real world before you have to venture out into it you could enrol on a course that provides work experience. The period of work experience could be from 6 months to a year and can often be done abroad. It gives you useful practical experience, which is something that employers tend to value, looks good on your cv and is a constructive way of seeing where your studies can lead you.

For up to date details of all the degree courses offered visit the UCAS website www.ucas.com. This lets you search by subject, university or geographical location and each course entry provides a link to the website of the institution to give you more information about entrance requirements, accommodation prices, student numbers, course content, anything you are likely to want to know!

Visit the Biology 4 All website (www.biology4all.com) for useful information and links to UK Bioscience departments and financing your studies. Do not be afraid to ask questions before you find yourself on a course. For further careers advice see our Careers on-line helper.