Biological Sciences (MBiol)

Why study this course

Our integrated master’s degree in Biological Science is aimed at aspiring researchers and those seeking a career in science. This four-year undergraduate course enables you to explore the current frontiers of knowledge in your chosen field and provides training in advanced research techniques.

We offer a wide choice of subjects across the biological sciences including: animal and plant biology; microbiology; genetics; systems biology; ecology; disease; behaviour; neuroscience; zoology; developmental and stem cell biology; and evolution. As part of our Ecology and Conservation module, we also run a range of subsidised field courses both within the UK and overseas, including River Ecology in Wales, Tropical Marine Ecology in Tobago, and Rainforest Biodiversity in Malaysia.

You can tailor the degree to your own interests as they develop, choosing to focus on one particular aspect of biology or opting to study a wider range of topics. Your final year will include an extended project in an active research laboratory. This project will be novel and the results may even be complete enough to be published in a scientific journal. You will be trained and supported by researchers, helping you to develop your skills as a practical research scientist

Our Biological Sciences course provides an excellent foundation for careers within all areas of biological sciences, and offers strong training for research scientists. Our graduates have gone on to a range of exciting and fulfilling careers in both scientific and non-scientific related fields, including marine biology, ecology and conservation, scientific publishing, pharmaceutical industries, molecular biology, journalism, teaching and veterinary science. Many also choose to further progress their studies with a higher degree.

Distinctive features

• Enjoy a flexible course structure that enables you to tailor your degree to match your interests and aspirations, including the option to spend a sandwich year on professional placement.
• Develop your field research skills with one of our popular project-based field courses. Opt for one of our UK-based courses or choose to travel further afield to locations such as Tobago or Borneo.
• Investigate a topic of your choice and develop your skills as a research scientist with an extended project in an active research laboratory.
• Experience the excitement of learning in active research environment, with teaching staff who are leading researchers in their field.
• Make use of the latest equipment, techniques and facilities in your project work.
• The School of Biosciences offers access to a wide range of exciting training opportunities with a field centre in Borneo, and strong involvement in Cardiff University research institutes, including Sustainable Places, Water Research, Cancer Stem Cell Research, and Neuroscience and Mental Health.

You may also be interested in the following courses:

• MBiol Biological Sciences with Professional Training Year

• BSc Biological Sciences

• MBiochem Biochemistry

Careers and placements

Career prospects

In 2015/16, 92% of the School’s graduates who were available for work reported they were in employment and/or further study within six months of graduating.

Our Master’s degree is aimed at aspiring researchers or those seeking a career in science, and the competencies developed throughout the course are ideally suited to pursuing high level careers in research-related fields (e.g. studying for a PhD or working in industry).

Our graduates also have many transferable skills that are attractive to a wide range of employers in more general areas of industry, commerce, public service, administration and management. Finally, a degree in the Biological Sciences can act as a stepping stone to further training in professional areas including teaching, medicine, dentistry, nursing, veterinary science or accounting.

Placements

This four-year course does not include any formal work placements. However, we strongly encourage students to undertake informal work placements during the summer vacations in order to enhance employability.