Biology

Why study Biology

The Biology programme at Derby encourages and enables students to become game changers in the modern economy, through developing knowledge, skills, and personal effectiveness in an integrated programme which is supportive of diverse needs and interests.  

It takes an inter-disciplinary approach where all scientific skills are valued in the context of potential applicability in the biosciences and collaborating with other subject specialists, supported by the staff of different discipline areas.

Many Biological processes are essentially circular in nature, providing a model for transitioning society to a circular economy which engineers out material and energy wastage. Governments, companies and inter-governmental agencies are investing in Biology because they see this potential and the economic need not only for environmental solutions, but also for the significant business opportunities enabled by recent progress in the Biosciences. Enormous advances in DNA sequencing technologies and related “omics”, plus the computational capacity to support these are transforming our understanding of Biology, leading to opportunities for enhancing health, wellbeing, and environment. Hence, Biology is a highly inter-disciplinary subject where collaboration with the other sciences is of key importance to success, ensuring that Biologists can play a role in all walks of life. 

The world is being severely impacted by human pressures including climate change, overexploitation of natural capital, and irreversible biodiversity loss on a massive scale. These and other issues collectively represent an existential threat to humanity, and biology is at the cutting-edge for providing sustainable solutions. This programme answers the call from the UN, through UNESCO’s Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), to address the urgent and dramatic challenges to our planet, and to people. The module content and practical skills within the curriculum prepare graduates to make a positive impact on climate change, biodiversity loss, unsustainable resource use and inequality. 

For people who want to be part of these solutions Biology is the ideal subject - enabling graduates to enter the workplace doing jobs that make a difference whether that is in the lab, in the field, or in the office. 

Expert teaching

You will be taught by experts in their fields who are passionate about their subjects and enabling you to succeed. All teaching staff are engaged in their subject beyond teaching, ensuring that they can teach up-to-date content with relevant insight from their personal experience in the field.   

Dr Michael Sweet, for example, is now the manager of our Aquatic Research Facility and teaches on several of our undergraduate modules. He has won the prestigious Times Higher Education award in 'Outstanding Research Supervisor of the Year - 2025'. This nomination recognises his commitment to mentoring the next generation of marine scientists, leading to global impact. He is also involved in a major world-leading research project looking at diseases that affect coral reefs.

Other academics are working on research projects on a wide-range of topics including:

• Improving the resilience of coral reefs to climate change
• Plant conservation and biotechnology
• Biodiversity ecosystem functioning
• Cell biology
• The evolution of primates
• Insect reproduction and behaviour
• Animal ecology
• Coral Reef systems and megafauna
• Soil microbiology

You will be assigned a personal tutor who will help you in your own personal development to become an expert in your own right, according to your interests and ambitions.

Excellent fieldwork opportunities

Fieldwork is a vital element of this course and so every stage your studies will be enriched with fieldwork opportunities - the cost of mandatory fieldwork is included in your course fee. Through our fieldwork programme, we introduce students to a variety of survey techniques for a wide range of species, such as:

• studying animal interaction at Twycross Zoo
• conducting ecological projects in Mallorca
• those selecting our optional Tropical Marine Biology module have undertaken scientific investigations in the Maldives
• investigating plant adaptations at the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew
• exploring Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK Burnaston, to survey wildlife in their nature conservation area

You’ll also have access to Cuckoos Tor, a site on the edge of the Peak District National Park and owned by the University of Derby that is dedicated to long-term research and ecological experiments. Current projects include restoration ecology, natural flood risk management, community engagement with biodiversity, and sustainable land management - and you’ll be able to get involved.

For further practical experience, you'll have plenty of opportunity to apply for work placements and paid internships. All of this means you'll be well placed to launch your career, whether you are looking for a graduate job or are planning to go into further study or research.

Boost your employability with a placement year

Take an optional placement year to put your skills into practice in a real-world setting. We will support you in finding a placement and throughout your time in industry. It’s a great way to gain valuable experience for your CV, build contacts, and explore career options before you graduate.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

You’ll learn through lectures, seminars, tutorials, e-learning, hands-on laboratory practical work and fieldwork in the UK and overseas. Our varied teaching methods help you show your individual strengths and enhance your understanding. Prioritising personal development in terms of skills, knowledge, and career planning.

The programme has at its core 40 credits worth of “through” modules in every year stage. These modules are used by programme leaders to ensure continued contact and coaching of students throughout their programme of study, thus provisioning a built-in capacity for the scaffolding of personal development which is co-delivered through tutorials

Work placements 

Placements allow you to develop the skills you learn at University and apply them to real world situations. This is something which potential employers are always looking for. We encourage you to gain experience with potential employers by offering a range of internships. BSc (Hons) Biology graduate, Eryk Gadomski carried out a work placement at Peak Wildlife Park and developed many transferable skills.

We're serious about getting you started in your career, whether you've already decided what you want to do or need to find inspiration. With opportunities for internships, volunteering and placements, our hands-on approach to study will ensure you're ready for the world of work. Biology at Derby provides an excellent platform for a broad range of scientific careers, such as:

• Molecular Consultant
• Crop Development Scientist
• Patent Adviser
• Biologics Production Technician
• Quality Laboratory Manager
• Aquaculture Entrepreneur
• Synthetic Biology Biotechnologist
• Clinical Trials Co-ordinator
• Research Scientist
• Pharmacy Technician
• Medical Laboratory Assistant
• Wildlife Conservation Officer
• Health Care Assistant

Some graduates progress to teaching and lecturing careers after completing postgraduate study, or have advanced to gain veterinary and medical qualifications.

Through our Professional Development Package, you'll gain valuable skills, including:

• Scientific writing and use of scientific software
• Written and verbal communication
• Research and statistical analysis
• Data handling and analysis
• Personal motivation, organisation and self-reflection
• Digital competency
• Laboratory and fieldwork analysis 
• Critical awareness
• Project management

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to

Additional costs and optional extras

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.