Levels 1 and 2: You will take courses covering the breadth of the biological and chemical sciences, as a core foundation for future studies. Our teaching emphasises practical skills, including labs, field and problem solving, set in the context of a core knowledge which covers the biological and chemical sciences from molecules to communities, via microbiology, cell biology, comparative physiology, biochemistry, genetics, population and community biology, all of which are a means to teach principles which apply across the subject. In addition, you will be developing your problem solving abilities, and many ‘transferrable’ skills: researching papers, making presentations, and developing your analytical skills.

Both levels include the option for study outside the College of Life Sciences, which we encourage: advanced entry students, coming in at Level 2 in 2012, will have a personalised course devised based on assessment at the beginning of the year, to ensure that you are fully prepared for the later years.

Level 3 is based around two themes, the Biological Sciences and the Biomedical Sciences. The Biomedical Science theme prepares you for degrees in subjects in which subject-specific knowledge has a stronger role, and which are focussed more on the human condition: anatomical sciences, forensic anthropology, neuroscience, pharmacology, physiological sciences and sports and exercise physiology.

The Biological Sciences theme supports your development as a broader life scientist, and focuses more clearly on the current areas of research excellence in the College – many of these use the same principles and technologies to study different problems, and as the year progresses, you will be choosing which areas interest you more, and therefore which of several degree streams is best for you.

By the end of Level 3, you may leave with a non-Honours degree in Biological or Biomedical Sciences, an excellent foundation for many careers.

Usually between Levels 3 and 4, you have the opportunity to take a year out of Dundee, either studying abroad, or on a full-time work placement. Both of these can give you a ‘real world’ perspective on your studies, while further developing your CV.

Level 4 continues the specialisation of level 3, focussing strongly on your degree choice, and with a significant laboratory and skills element, through the Honours project and seminars and presentations. Because the Honours year is that much more challenging, progression to level 4 from level 3 requires more than just a pass mark. At the end of level 4, you are likely to leave with an Honours degree in a named subject , or a more general Honours degree on Biological or Biomedical Sciences.

Level 5 is the opportunity to really develop the research and analytical skills in the subject area you feel most passionate about. This level, the integrated Masters, consists of an extensive research project, coupled with in depth analytical seminars and research training, which will prepare you for the world of biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, both in and out of the academic world. If you want to do the Masters year, you will need to be achieving high scores throughout your studies, as progression into this part of the course will be competitive.