Human Biology and Health

Why study Human and Health Biology at Aberystwyth University?

Students on this course will be able to explore the specialist areas of Human and Health Biology which include:

• Facilities for high-throughput DNA sequencing, proteomics, metabolomics and spectroscopic platforms;
• Application of psychology to understand the process of behaviour change and its relevance to delay the development of chronic conditions including heart disease, diabetes and cancer;
• Our modern physiological, biomechanical and psychological equipment including body scanning for bone health and body composition determination, cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic analysers, high-performance treadmills, cycles and rowers, along with computer-based digital video and a force plate to allow sophisticated analysis of movement;
• You will be taught by passionate, engaged, friendly and staff with expertise across the full range of Biological topics;
• Your academic studies will be bolstered by a wealth of laboratory and field classes which build real scientific skills essential for your future;
• Our teaching and E-learning facilities provide you with an outstanding learning experience integrating the classroom sessions and a vast repository of study resources;
• You will be assigned a personal tutor who can guide you through your time at Aberystwyth and help you to settle in when you first arrive;
• We have invested heavily and over a number of years in our research facilities, and project students may get the opportunity to work in the research units on Penglais, or in our dedicated research facility at Gogerddan just outside Aberystwyth.

Our Staff

The majority of teaching staff at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences are qualified to PhD level and are research active. Vocational courses also have staff whose background lies within industry.  The Institute has a large number of research only staff with whom students may have contact.

Career prospects

Human Biology and Health graduates will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to enter a wide range of careers which include: 

• Bio-medicine;

• Health and allied professions;

• This scheme is also a solid foundation for postgraduate research at Masters and PhD level.

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

What skill will I develop from studying Human and Health Biology?

Employability is embedded in our teaching. Our students leave Aberystwyth University with the skills including;  

• research and data analysis skills;
• enhanced mathematical and computational skills;
• effective problem-solving and creative thinking skills;
• a thorough grounding in 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, in both written and oral form;
• self-motivation and self-reliance;
• team-working, with the ability to discuss concepts in groups, accommodating different ideas and reaching agreement.

If you are interested in undertaking work experience, then our sister course BSc Human and Health Biology C195 will allow you to undertake work experience for one year in an industry relative to this degree.

What will I learn? 

The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the three year degree scheme.

In your first year: 

• Students are taught the important content which underpin human biology and health, which will provide a sound foundation on which year 2 and 3 can be built upon. Topics may include:  
• Exercise psychology; 
• Genetics;
• Metabolism; 
• Exercise physiology; 
• Human anatomy; 
• Nutrition;
• Microbial diversity. 

In your second year:

• Students study research methods; 
• Exercise physiology;
• Immunology; 
• Students can look at health from the perspective of improving health and performance;
• Sport injury;
• Microbiology;
• Proteins and enzymes;
• You may also learn the practical methods for exploring these topics independently.

In your third year:

• Students will undertake an independent project as well as being taught:

• Molecular pharmacology; 

•  Managing chronic diseases such as diabetes or obesity; 

• Various optional modules are also available to suit the interests of the student. 

How will I be taught?

We teach our students in through lectures, workshops, tutorials and practicals.

You will be assigned a personal tutor throughout your degree course, who will help you with any problems or queries.

We assess our students through:

• Exams;
• Essays;
• Practical exercises;
• Oral presentations;
• Reports;
• Statistical exercises;
• Dossiers;
• Portfolios;
• Wikis;
• Reflective diaries;
• Literature reviews;
• Magazine articles.