Biology (with integrated year in industry)

The syllabus of our BSc Biology (C102) course with the integrated year in industry is identical to its sister course BSc Biology (C100). The year in industry is assessed and will count towards your degree grade, and the work must be relevant to the degree. You will be expected to organise this work experience yourself, under the guidance of our Director for Employability. There is no guarantee that the work will be paid, and if you cannot obtain a placement, you must transfer to BSc Biology (C100). During your year in industry, you will pay a discounted tuition fee. 

During the three years of the degree that you spend on Campus, you won’t have to limit yourself to just one area of Biology. You might be studying microbiology in the morning, and investigating the life found in sand dunes in the afternoon. Our degree structure is flexible and gives you the opportunity to keep your options open or to specialise. 

You will be taught by passionate, engaged, and friendly staff who have expertise across the full range of Biology topics. Our staff are not only lecturers but also active researchers and their research interests feed into our courses, meaning that you will benefit from the very latest information. We have invested heavily in our research facilities over many years, and as part of the Research Project module, you may get the opportunity to work in the research units on the main campus, or in our dedicated research facility at Gogerddan just outside Aberystwyth. 

Your academic studies will be bolstered by a wealth of laboratory and field classes which build real scientific skills essential for your future career. You will explore anatomy and structure, physiology and behaviour, alongside the scientific rationales for habitat requirements and ecosystem interactions. This is a practical course where you will sample, record and analyse data in our excellent, well-equipped laboratories as well as out in the field. Aberystwyth is situated amongst hills, wooded valleys, wetlands, sandy and rocky shores and, of course, alongside the pristine waters of Cardigan Bay. 

Our Staff

The majority of teaching staff in the Department of Life Sciences are qualified to PhD level and are research active. Vocational courses also have staff whose background lies within industry. The Department has a large number of research only staff with whom students may have contact.

Enhancing your career prospects with your year in industry 

In recent surveys conducted by High Fliers Research Limited, research shows that around a third of graduate vacancies are taken by those who have previously worked for a company on a placement or an internship. 

Completing a year in industry will allow you to: 

• apply the learning from your course to the work environment 
• make industry contacts 
• develop practical skills related to your area of study 
• apply your practical skills and technical knowledge after returning to study 
• enhance your CV and better prepare yourself for a job after graduating.

You should note that you will be responsible for securing the work placement yourself. However, you will have the assistance of our Work Experience Coordinator and one of our dedicated careers advisors. If you fail to find a placement you will be able to change to BSc Biology (C100).

Recent graduates are working for education authorities, the Environment Agency, conservation organisations, pharmaceutical companies, the NHS, sea-life centres, public health laboratories and the water industry, to name a few. 

They are working as: 

• research scientists 
• clinical molecular geneticists 
• nature conservation officers 
• educators.

With a degree in Biology, you could also progress to further training in the following fields:

• dentistry 
• medicine 
• science writing.

Aberystwyth University has an excellent Careers Service and we have our own dedicated, professional Careers Advisors. We also have a member of staff who is Director of Employability for the Department, and we are constantly striving to embed and enhance the delivery of real-world skills into every module we offer.

What skills will I develop while studying Biology?

Employability is embedded in our teaching. Our students leave Aberystwyth University with the following:

• research and data analysis skills 
• enhanced mathematical and computational skills 
• effective problem-solving and creative thinking skills 
• information technology skills 
• the ability to work independently 
• time-management and organisational skills, including the ability to meet deadlines 
• the ability to express ideas and communicate information in a clear and structured manner, both written and spoken 
• self-motivation and self-reliance 
• team-working skills, with the ability to discuss concepts in groups, accommodating different ideas and reaching agreement.

What work experience opportunities are available to me while I study?

Find out about the various opportunities that our Careers Service offers. 

Enhance your employability prospects with GO Wales and our Year in Employment Scheme.