Biological Sciences

Course structure

The Biological Sciences degree course is taught principally by staff from the Departments of Zoology and Plant Sciences. It aims to provide a comprehensive survey of all the most exciting areas of contemporary biology, while allowing students to specialize in parts of the subject they find of greatest interest as the course progresses.

The first year of the degree course covers the complete breadth of modern biology, with emphasis on the most important current themes in all areas of the subject. All undergraduates take the same lectures and practicals in the first year, which are organized into three main themes: Cells & Genes; Organisms; and Ecology. The course deals with fundamental concepts in cell and molecular biology, genetics, many aspects of the organismal biology of animals, plants, fungi and microorganisms, and various topics in population biology, environmental biology and evolution. There is also a (non-examined) series of classes in Quantitative Methods, which provide essential skills in computing and data handling. The intention is that the first year should be accessible to students whatever their previous educational backgrounds, and that it will provide a good basis for subsequent specialization in the second and third years of the course.

From the second year onwards, undergraduates can exercise an increasing degree of choice and specialization in their course. The second year is underpinned by two compulsory courses: one on Evolution, on the grounds that evolution is the central theme running through the whole of biology, and the other on Quantitative Methods, which provides valuable training in statistics. The remainder of the second year is organized into the following six themes, from which students choose three or four for more detailed study: Adaptations to the Environment; Animal Behaviour; Cell & Developmental Biology; Disease; Ecology; and Plants & People. In the final year of the degree course, a series of up to 24 specialist options are offered, which cover advanced topics reflecting current research being carried out in the departments. Students will typically select six to eight of these specialist options for detailed study. This will include the opportunity to conduct an extended experimental research project on a subject of your choice, in consultation with an academic adviser, and to undertake two prepared course assignments (such as an extended essay or review, or formulating a research proposal). This means that, in the second and third years of the degree course, students are able to specialize progressively in the parts of biology they find of greatest interest.

In addition to lectures and practicals, students typically have one tutorial per week throughout the three years of their degree course. There is also a one-week residential field course in the first year organized as part of the Ecology course. Depending on the particular options chosen, there are further opportunities for field work in parts of the second and third years of the course. New field courses to Spain and to Borneo are being launched from the academic year 2011-12 onwards for students specializing in ecology. In addition, quite a number of undergraduates participate in expeditions overseas during the summer long vacations, so there is plenty of scope for fieldwork and travel for those who are interested in these parts of biology.

Number of students admitted

Magdalen is one of the largest colleges in the University for Biology and we typically admit six or seven Biologists each year. We work hard to ensure that we find places at other colleges for good candidates we are unable to admit ourselves. Biological Sciences operates an inter-collegiate ‘pool’ system, which is designed to ensure that the most deserving candidates receive an offer of a place at the University, even if their first-choice college happens to be oversubscribed that year.

Tuition

Magdalen is particularly well placed to teach this degree course, with three tutors and lecturers contributing to Biological Sciences. Between us we cover a wide range of topics: Andrew Smith is a plant biologist specializing in cell physiology, biochemistry and adaptations to environmental stress; Kevin Foster is an evolutionary biologist specializing in the genetic basis of cooperation in bacteria and other organisms; and Bruce Winney is a geneticist working on the population biology of disease. In addition, the Sherardian Professor of Botany and Keeper of the Botanic Garden, Liam Dolan, is a Professorial Fellow of Magdalen and gives some tutorials to our biologists.

Entry requirements

In line with the University entrance requirements for Biological Sciences, our standard conditional offer for candidates taking A-Levels is grades A*AA, with the A* being in a science or Mathematics. We welcome candidates taking other qualifications (e.g. International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers, etc.); for these qualifications, we ask for equivalent scores following recommendations provided by the University Undergraduate Admissions Office (e.g. typically 38–40 including core points for IB, AA/AAB for Scottish Advanced Highers, etc.). We are happy with any combination of science A-levels and regard Biology, Mathematics and Chemistry as almost equally important, although candidates are expected to have Biology (or Human Biology) to A-level, Advanced Higher or Higher Level in the IB, or the equivalent. We frequently accept candidates who have taken other combinations of subjects, sometimes including a mixture of science and arts subjects. If you have any doubts about the suitability of your A-level combination or entrance qualifications, please contact us.

Entry procedure

We do not ask for written work to be submitted as part of the admissions process. Instead we rely on achieved and predicted examination results, the school reference and the personal statement in your UCAS form, as well as on the interview itself. During the interview, we typically ask candidates about areas of biology they have found of particular interest and have covered in their education to date. Candidates may be asked to comment on biological specimens, or perhaps on an excerpt from a scientific article they have been given time to read. However, we do not expect candidates to be able to identify specimens, but use these simply as prompts for wider discussions around general themes in biology.

Deferred entry policy

Occasionally candidates apply for deferred entry, and we consider such candidates on their merits. We will need to be convinced that clear and useful plans have been made for the gap year. We would, however, encourage potential applicants in this category to consider applying post-A-level, as we are then able to make a firm decision on admission at the time of interview. If you would like to discuss the relevance or timing of your gap year plans, please contact the Admissions Secretary.

Contact for further details

There are College and University Open Days every year when we will be happy to answer questions in person. If you cannot make an Open Day, please write to us or send an e-mail message to:

Prof. J.A.C. Smith, Magdalen College, Oxford, OX1 4AU

External links