Biology

Highlights

Studying Biology at Bangor gives you access to woodlands, grassland, farmland and aquatic habitats. We also have aquaria, aviaries, a herpetarium, botanic garden, study farm, and natural history museum. Excellent experimental facilities include biological, chemical and environmental labs, environmentally controlled rooms, imaging facilities, and extensive analytical equipment.

World-leading research by Environment Centre for Wales and Centre for Environmental Biotechnology aims to solve environmental issues, such as pollution, flooding and harm caused by industry. Opportunities for fieldwork at home and abroad. Previous trips, for example, have studied the soils, forests and volcanic activity of Tenerife, and reptiles, amphibians and the desert ecology of Arizona.

Friendly and active student community hosting regular socials, excursions and talks. Endeavour, our long-running ocean science society, ZooSoc, and Herpetological, Birdwatching, and Entomology societies.

Course overview

The science of Biology is forever changing our understanding of life; our own and that of all living things. From the theory of evolution to the discovery of DNA and genetically modified crops, it could hold answers to the survival of humanity and protection of our planet. On the BSc (Hons) Biology at Bangor University, you’ll gain insight into the latest biological discoveries, some from our own world-leading research.

Situated next to the Irish Sea, Menai Strait and mountains of Eryri, your studies take place within easy reach of a diverse range of habitats, soil types, climate and topography, ideal for field work. Extensive facilities for practical classes include Europe’s largest underground soil laboratory, our own natural history museum with various vertebrate and invertebrate specimens, and Treborth Botanic Garden. Henfaes Research Centre, facilitates studies of agriculture, including arable crops and livestock grazing, beehives, forestry, hydrology, and conservation.

It also has an extensive shoreline for studying coastal salt marsh processes. Biology covers the entirety of life on earth, and considers the interactions, dependencies, unity and diversity of its organisms. On our undergraduate Biology degree, you will learn about microbes, plants and animal biology, from the molecular level to whole ecosystems.

It provides a thorough grounding in cell and molecular biology, genetic biosciences, ecology and evolution. You can also choose modules from a wide range of disciplines and subject areas - from marine ecology to medical genetics. Students tell us that they find it particularly inspiring to hear about the research their lecturers are doing.

Their applied research covers everything from improving crop resilience and reintroducing plants on contaminated sites to ways to mitigate snakebite in the developing world, or to improve our understanding of the molecular basis of Alzheimer's disease. Bangor University is home to the Environment Centre for Wales, a partnership with the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH), whose Welsh branch is based there. We also host the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Wales.

Elsewhere in Bangor, you’ll find regional offices for Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and North Wales Wildlife Trust (NWWT). Strong links with these employers provide opportunities for work placements and volunteering, and some contribute to teaching. Read more Course options

Placement year

What is the Placement Year? This exciting opportunity allows you to spend a year working with a self-sourced, professional organisation relevant to your studies. You'll typically start between June and September of your second year and finish by the following June or September.

Placements can be UK-based or even overseas. Why choose a Placement Year? Gain practical experience that complements your academic learning Make valuable…