Queen's University of Belfast - Medical Faculty

BSc in Human Biology

Year 1

• Molecular Basis of Life (20 credits)
• Genetics and the Molecular Toolbox (20 credits)
• World of Microorganisms (20 credits)
• Fundamentals of Microbiology (20 credits)
• Human Structure and Function (40 credits)
• Professional Skills for Scientists 1 (0 credits)

Year 2

• Professional Skills for Scientists 2 (0 credits)
• Principles of Cell Biology (20 credits)
• Physiological Sciences (20 credits)
• Human Anatomy (20 credits)
• Scientific Methods/Statistics (20 credits)
• Health Sciences and Population Studies (20 credits)

Year 3

• Research Project (40 credits)

Assessment

Details of assessments associated with this course are outlined below:

Assessment will vary according to the learning outcomes of each module. Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments. Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end-of-semester examinations. Students are assigned an Advisor of Studies who can advise on personal and academic matters.

The BSc in Human Biology degree program is aimed at students seeking a broad-based knowledge of Human Biology with career opportunities in the medical and pharmaceutical industries, teaching, scientific publishing, or the scientific Civil Service. In addition, the degree provides access to graduate jobs open to other disciplines due to the many transferable skills gained on the course. Many students go into further study after their degree, completing Master's and PhDs and a significant proportion of graduates gain entry to a Medical or Dental degree both here and abroad.

Employment after the Course

Recent and frequent employment opportunities have been taken by our graduates in Life Science/Pharmaceutical/Biotechnology industries in a wide range of roles, including Laboratory Technician, Scientific Officer, Sales and Marketing, and Clinical Trials Supervision, in leading local, national, and international industries, including Randox, Norbrook, Almac, and Galen.

Employment Links

Many of our students go on to further study, predominantly within Queen’s or in other universities in the UK or abroad.

Graduates have gone into areas such as Medicine, Dentistry, Computational Biology, and Teaching. Additionally, some students progress to PhDs in various research areas, often in research laboratories in which they completed their 3rd-year projects.

Prizes and Awards

A number of professional bodies sponsor prizes on an annual basis for the best students in their level, module, or category. These include The Physiological Society and The British Pharmacological Society.

Degree Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree program, at Queen's, you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic, and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports, and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognized by a world-leading university, but you'll also have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this the Degree Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Contact Teaching Hours

Large Group Teaching

• 14 (hours maximum)
• Lectures

Personal Study

• 24 (hours maximum)

Medium Group Teaching

• 12 (hours maximum)
• Practical/Tutorial

Learning and Teaching

Students in the BSc Human Biology program are taught a variety of methods that help engage students with the learning process.

• Adviser of Studies
• E-Learning technologies
• Induction
• Lectures
• Peer Mentoring
• Practical laboratory
• Self-directed study
• Seminars/tutorials
• Summer Studentships
• Third-Year Supervised Projects