Biology MSci

Modules

• Year 1 at Sussex

  Your modules

  Core modules

  Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

  Autumn teaching

  • Cells, Organisms and Systems
  • Physiology and Disease
  • Skills, Ethics and Society

  Spring teaching

  • Biodiversity & Ecology
  • Cell and Molecular Biology
  • Research Methods for Biology, Ecology and Zoology

  Options

  Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.

  While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped or linked between terms or years of study. Where options are grouped, you’ll be supported in your selection of a combination of modules.

  Spring teaching

  • Biochemistry and Metabolism
  • Coastal Ecology Field Course
  • Neuroscience and Behaviour

  Your degree

  In your first year, you’ll consolidate and extend your prior scientific knowledge to build a solid foundation in topics relevant to biology in the wider context of the biosciences. You’ll learn about the biology of natural systems at molecular, cellular and behavioural levels. You’ll be introduced to experimental methods, key quantitative and computational skills, and the principles of scientific reasoning. And you’ll explore the ethics of science within society, including the use of AI. You’ll have the opportunity to join a UK-based field course.

  Teaching

  Teaching methods typically include lectures and practicals, with some seminars. Depending on the modules you choose, you’ll get to spend time in the laboratory or in the field. These hours will be in addition to the breakdown below.

  

  60%: Lecture
  10%: Seminar
  30%: Practical

  Assessment

  Assessment methods typically include written pieces, reports, problem sets, online tests and multiple-choice question-based exams. You’ll also get the chance to practice presentation skills in a small group.

  Contact hours and workload

  This year of study includes approximately 1,200 hours of work. This breaks down into about 250 hours of contact time and about 950 hours of independent study.

  Engage and actively participate throughout your studies to get the most out of your course. 

• Year 2 at Sussex

  Your modules

  Core modules

  Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

  Spring teaching

  • Evolutionary Biology

  Options

  Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.

  While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped or linked between terms or years of study. Where options are grouped, you’ll be supported in your selection of a combination of modules.

  Autumn teaching

  • Animals in Their World: From Physiology to Behaviour
  • Conservation Biology
  • Human Genetics and Genomics
  • Immunology & Infectious Disease
  • Marine Biology
  • Principles of Neuronal Function
  • Research and Professional Skills I: Biomedicine
  • Research and Professional Skills I: Zoology & Ecology
  • Structural Basis of Biological Function

  Spring teaching

  • Cell Regulation and Pharmacology
  • Conservation Ecology Field Course
  • Developmental Biology
  • Neural Circuits
  • Population & Community Ecology
  • Research and Professional Skills II: Genetics & Biochemistry
  • Research and Professional Skills II: Zoology & Ecology

  Your degree

  In your second year, you’ll deepen your understanding of central principles and experimental skills in biology. At the same time, you’ll develop your practical techniques and analytical skills via laboratory- or field-based practical classes, computer workshops and project work. This will develop your critical thinking skills and give you opportunities to put your analytical skills into practice using experimental data. Careers seminars will help you understand your employability skills, and internship and placement opportunities available to you. You’ll have the opportunity to join a UK-based field course.

  Teaching

  Teaching methods typically include lectures and practicals, with some seminars. Depending on the modules you choose, you’ll get to spend time in the laboratory or in the field. These hours will be in addition to the breakdown below.

  

  70%: Lecture
  10%: Seminar
  20%: Practical

  Assessment

  Assessment methods typically include written pieces, reports, problem sets, group presentations, portfolios and short answer-based exams.

  Contact hours and workload

  This year of study includes approximately 1,200 hours of work. This breaks down into about 230 hours of contact time and about 970 hours of independent study.

  Engage and actively participate throughout your studies to get the most out of your course. 

• Experience Year

  Study abroad (optional)

  Apply to study abroad – you’ll develop an international perspective and gain an edge when it comes to your career. Find out where your course could take you

  If your application to study abroad is successful, you’ll have to meet the academic requirements at Sussex and also at the partner university. Find out more about studying abroad as a Sussex student

  Placement (optional)

  To help you gain experience and increase your employability, you can apply for an optional placement as part of your course. You’ll be responsible for applying for and securing your placement. Our dedicated careers team can provide you with information and advice. If you’re successful in obtaining a placement, this will form part of your course.

  Find out more about placements and internships

  Recent Life Sciences students have gone on placements at:

  • AkzoNobel
  • Pfizer
  • the NHS.

  Please note that if you’re receiving – or applying for – USA federal Direct Loan funds, you can’t transfer to the version of your course with an optional study abroad period in any country or optional placement in the USA if the number of credits for the placement/internship exceeds 25% of the total credits for your course. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid

• Year 3 at Sussex

  Your modules

  Core modules

  Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

  Autumn and spring teaching

  • Third Year Bioscience Research Project

  Options

  Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.

  While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped or linked between terms or years of study. Where options are grouped, you’ll be supported in your selection of a combination of modules.

  Autumn teaching

  • Advanced Topics in Conservation
  • Animal-Plant Interactions
  • Behavioural Ecology
  • Cell Signalling and Therapeutics
  • Communicating STEM
  • Drug Discovery & Chemical Enterprise
  • Immunology in Health and Disease
  • Intelligence in Animals and Machines
  • Programming for Life Sciences
  • Regulating Gene Expression
  • Structure and Function of the Brain
  • Tropical Rainforest Science Field Trip

  Spring teaching

  • African Zoology Field Course
  • Animals in the Anthropocene
  • Conservation in Practice
  • Genome Instability in Disease and Cancer
  • Genomics and Bioinformatics
  • Innovation in Bioscience and Medicine
  • Mediterranean Ecology Field Course
  • Molecular Neuropharmacology
  • Neurobiology of Brain Disorders
  • Palaeozoology
  • Structural Basis of Protein Mechanism

  Your degree

  In Year 3 you’ll be able to specialise, choosing from a broad range of advanced topics taught by leading academics. You’ll develop graduate-level scientific skills that are crucial for your future career. These include critical analysis of primary research, science communication and innovation in scientific methods. Central to this year is an individual research project. You’ll be able to choose from a range of subjects and types of research methods, such as experimental wet-lab or field-based project, systematic literature review, computer-based data analysis or public outreach activity. You’ll have the opportunity to join an overseas field course.
  

  Teaching

  Teaching methods typically include lectures and practicals, with some seminars. Depending on the modules you choose, you’ll get to spend time in the laboratory or in the field. These hours will be in addition to the breakdown below.

  

  75%: Lecture
  25%: Practical

  Assessment

  Assessment methods typically include written pieces, reports, problem sets, presentations both individual and within a group, group written submissions, online tests, a dissertation, and exams that require longer answers and analysis of data.

  Contact hours and workload

  This year of study includes approximately 1,200 hours of work. This breaks down into about 180 hours of contact time and about 1,020 hours of independent study.

  Engage and actively participate throughout your studies to get the most out of your course. 

• Year 4 at Sussex

  Your modules

  Core modules

  Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

  Spring teaching

  • Life Sciences MSci research project

  Options

  Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.

  While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped or linked between terms or years of study. Where options are grouped, you’ll be supported in your selection of a combination of modules.

  Autumn teaching

  • Advanced Methods in Molecular Research
  • Advanced Techniques in Neuroscience
  • Current Topics in Evolution, Behaviour and Conservation
  • Fundamentals of Cancer Cell Biology
  • Masters Tropical Rainforest Field Course
  • Practical Techniques in Cancer Cell Biology
  • Practical Techniques in Cell and Molecular Biology
  • Quantitative Skills in Ecology
  • Research Foundations
  • Rewilding and Ecosystem Services
  • Skills for Research Bioscientists

  Your degree

  Year 4 is dedicated to building research skills to Masters level. In your individual research project you’ll be immersed in one of our research groups, undertaking practical experimental or analysis work in a field- or laboratory-based project to address a hypothesis. To help you prepare, you’ll learn about a range of advanced research and statistical methods, and wider professional skills for research biologists.
  

  Teaching

  Teaching methods typically include lectures and practicals, with some seminars.

  

  45%: Lecture
  10%: Seminar
  45%: Practical

  Assessment

  Assessment methods typically include written pieces, reports, problem sets, individual and group presentations, group written submissions, online tests, dissertations, oral exams, and exams that require longer answers and data analysis.

  Contact hours and workload

  This year of study includes approximately 1,200 hours of work. This breaks down into about 80 hours of contact time and about 1,120 hours of independent study.

  Engage and actively participate throughout your studies to get the most out of your course. 

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.