Course summary

There are complex relationships between molecules, cells and systems that require precise control to allow optimum function within living organisms. Alterations in these relationships can lead to disease and an understanding of such events can provide the foundation for the use of drugs to treat disease. Physiology is the study of study of the functions and mechanisms within living systems from the ionic level up to the whole animal. To maintain healthy function, all of these aspects must operate optimally, including adapting to changes in the internal or external environment. This course will develop your understanding from the ionic level through to the integration of whole systems to sustain life. This will provide a foundation for understanding how often subtle changes can underlie disease, how we are able to treat disease and how future generations of scientists may develop improved and new treatments. You will also study pharmacology, which allows us to understand how molecules from outside or inside the body interact with their molecular targets to influence their behaviour. This is key to our understanding of how drugs are used therapeutically and also how they can be abused, for example, for recreational purposes or to seek sporting advantage. The course is delivered in modules, allowing you some flexibility to focus on areas that align with your developing interests. Over the programme, in addition to subject-specific knowledge, you will gain important transferable skills that will make you an attractive prospect for future employers. This course is identical to the first three years of the MBiolSci in Biological Sciences (Physiology with Pharmacology). What's the difference? At the University of Leicester, we offer seven Biological Science subjects and four Medical Bioscience subjects, all as both BSc (three years) and MBiolSci (four years), plus a Foundation Year option, giving you an impressive range of 23 different courses to choose from. Biological Science covers major aspects of biology and molecular science across a wide range of organisms from bacteria and fungi to humans and plants. All 14 courses share a common first year so you can change to a different degree before the end of Year 1. Medical Science allows you to select specialist modules that focus more closely on the application of biological principles to medicine. All eight courses share a common first year so you can change to a different degree before the end of Year 1. It is possible to switch between a Biological Science course and a Medical Bioscience course during the first half of your first year, but after that the two fields diverge.