Course summary

Develop your appreciation of biology on this four-year course, which includes a year spent with an approved university in Spain. You'll examine the behaviour of living systems from the level of cells up to whole organisms and ecosystems. Through this work, you'll gain a detailed knowledge of the relationships, evolution, and key features of various organisms as you explore the diversity of life on earth. The language element of this course will see you explore the theory and practice of translation. This includes opportunities to analyse the history, politics, science and technology of Spanish-speaking countries. Your studies will be complemented by a dedicated Life Science Skills programme. This provides training in quantitative skills, programming, statistics, and scientific writing and presentation. The second year offers you the chance to specialise across a series of optional modules, in areas including ecology, molecular biology and stem cells. Laboratory, computational and field work will help you acquire the skills to design, carry out and analyse data from biological experiments. With access to the thriving research environment at Imperial, you'll be taught by world leaders as you learn how to solve complex real-world problems. Your third year will be spent at a Spanish-speaking university, where you will attend lectures and conduct a research project as you experience a different cultural environment. Your final year sees your studies culminate with an extensive research project. This work will enable you to progress your personal and professional identity as a life scientist. Please note: this course is not suitable for native or near-native Spanish speakers. Normally only students who are on track for at least a 2:1 by the end of their second year, will be eligible to spend their third year abroad. The structure of the Department's courses means that transfer between different Biological Sciences degrees is usually possible up until the end of the first year. If you are an international student, transferring to a different course could have an impact on your Tier 4 visa, but our International Student Support Team are here to help advise and support you. As well as your main Imperial degree, you will also receive the award of the Associateship of the Royal College of Science (ARCS) on completion of this course.