Degrees Offered

• BSc Honours Human Biology (UCAS Code: B100)

Contact Information

For entrance requirements
E: admissions@qub.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)28 9097 3838

For course information
Centre for Biomedical Sciences Education
School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences
T: +44 (0)28 9097 2043/2122
E: biomedsci@qub.ac.uk
W: http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/bms

Entrance Requirements

• A-level
  AB (in any order in Biology/Human Biology and Chemistry) B + GCSE Mathematics
  OR
  A (Biology or Chemistry) AB including a second science subject + GCSE Biology and Chemistry or Double Award Science + GCSE Mathematics
• Irish Leaving Certificate
  AB2 (in any order in Biology and Chemistry) B2B2B2 + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade C in Mathematics

For students whose first language is not English
An IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information on other acceptable English Language qualifications is available here

If you are an international student and you do not meet the entrance requirements, you should consider a preparation course at INTO Queen's University Belfast, which will prepare you for successful study on these degree courses. INTO Queen's University Belfast is based on the University campus and offers a range of courses including:
International Foundation in Engineering and Science

The Subject

Human Biology is the integrated study of human anatomy and physiology, including the study of the body in health and disease.

Course Content

Level 1
At Level 1 our students will receive a solid foundation in the core subjects of:

• Genetics and Molecular Biology
• Human Structure and Function (Anatomy, Micro-anatomy and Physiology)
• Mammalian Biochemistry
• Micro-organisms

Levels 2 and 3
At Levels 2 and 3, students have a wide range of module options in, for example:

Haematology
Human Evolutionary Biology
Immunobiology
Microscopy
Neuroscience
Nutrition
Pharmacology
Science Teaching
Scientific Methods and Statistics

In their final year, each student will complete their own two-module laboratory research project as part of a team within the School. In addition to the specific degree programme content, there is an emphasis in our study modules on teamwork and communication skills, as well as problem-solving and IT skills, which should assist graduates in careers beyond those immediately related to medicine.

Click here for more information on modules

Learning and Teaching

The Human Biology degree is underpinned by the core disciplines of Anatomy, Microanatomy and Physiology (the study of the function of the human body).  In addition, it provides a solid foundation in Mammalian Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology, and Microbiology.  The course is designed to allow a greater degree of flexibility in the choice of modules, in comparison to the degree in Biomedical Sciences.  Specialist subject areas which can be studied in detail include: pharmacology, topographical anatomy, exercise and applied physiology, developmental studies and science teaching.  Within these subject areas we provide a range of learning experiences. 

• Lectures are given in large groups and introduce students to new topics to provide direction and inspiration for private study. 

• Practicals:  are generally given to smaller group sizes and are designed to allow students to see how some of the principles introduced in lectures can be observed in living organisms.  This type of class also provides the opportunity to develop technical skills and since they are assessed, receive formative feedback on academic progress. 

• Tutorials:  help to engage students with the learning process, since they involve the formation of small groups to problem solve and disseminate information to the rest of the class. 

• E.Learning:much of the resources to support lectures and tutorials are provided through a Virtual Learning Environment called Queens Online, which uses a range of e-learning experiences including interactive group workshops and podcasts. 

• Work-related learning: Between second and final year students are given the opportunity to take a year out to work in a research laboratory in the USA, a significant learning and employability enhancement opportunity.

• Supervised Projects:  In final year, a supervised research project on a topic of your choice, makes a significant contribution to the final degree classification and provides valuable skills and insight into the world of academic research.

• Tutors: Students are assigned an Advisor of Studies who can offer advice on both personal and academic matters.  Students will also be assigned to a tutor in one of the School’s Research Centres to gain experience working with research teams in a laboratory setting

Assessment and Feedback

Assessment:  The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the Learning objectives 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.  Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction.

Feedback (general):  As you progress through your course you will receive general and specific feedback about your work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and your peers.  As a university student, you will be expected to take a greater role in reflecting on this and taking the initiative in continuously improving the quality of your work.  Feedback may be provided to you in a variety of forms including:

• Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted. 
• Face to face comment.  This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
• Placement employer comments or references.
• Online or emailed comment.
• General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
• Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid.  In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time. 
• Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
• Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Once you have reviewed your feedback, you are encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work. 

Careers

This new and diverse degree programme 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.  Many students go into further study after their degree, completing masters and PhDs and a significant proportion of graduates gain entry to a Medical degree both here and abroad.

 Placement Links:

We have established links with two Universities in the US, The University of Nevada in Reno and the University of Vermont.  Students are given the opportunity to work in Research Laboratories in these institutions for a year between second and final year, and some students have been offered a PhD place in the US on completion of their degree.

You should also take a look at www.prospects.ac.uk for further information concerning the types of jobs that attract Human Biology Graduates.

Other Career-related information:  Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group and, therefore, one of the 20 universities most-targeted by leading graduate employers.  As a Queen’s student, you will be advised and guided about career choice and through the Degree Plus initiative, you will have an opportunity to seek accreditation for skills development and experience gained through the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer. 

Our full employability statement can be viewed at: http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/filestore/Filetoupload,284878,en.pdf

Degree Plus and other related initiatives:  Recognising student diversity, promoting employability enhancements and other interests is part of the developmental experience at Queen’s.  Students are encouraged to plan and build their own, personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including; recognised Queen’s Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Erasmus study options elsewhere in Europe and learning development supports as well as involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies,  and sports. 

Queen’s actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students).  Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts.  As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers.

Overall, these initiatives, and Degree Plus in particular, reward the energy, drive, determination and enthusiasm shown by students engaging in activities over-and-above the requirements of their academic studies.  These qualities are amongst those valued highly by graduate employers. Further information is available at www.qub.ac.uk/degreeplus

Special Features

Facilities: the School has excellent research facilities as well as strong links with clinical departments.

Research-led Teaching: our teaching staff combine enthusiastic teaching with world-class research in the Biomedical Sciences.