Why study this course?
From understanding how molecules and cells work to the study of entire ecosystems, Biology covers all aspects of the natural world. A joint degree with Earth Sciences, this programme will also help you to understand the changing environment of our dynamic planet.
Normally modules available for joint degree programmes are the same as the single honours degree. However, the Biology and Earth Science BSc (Hons) degree has a specifically tailored set of available modules, which is described below.
All other aspects of the programme, including teaching format, are the same as those listed on the Biology BSc and Environmental Earth Sciences BSc webpages.
For more information on joint honours degrees contact Ask Admissions.
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How it's taught
Teaching
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The University's services and support teams can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long-term medical conditions or learning disabilities, as well as many other difficulties and challenges students might face while studying.
Modules
Course information may change. Module information and course content, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at the University of St Andrews. We display the most up-to-date information possible, but this could be from a previous academic year. For the latest module information, see the module catalogue.
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In first year, modules introduce you to core subject material relevant to your degree. Students will take the following compulsory first-year modules:
- Understanding Planet Earth: Provides a foundation in the study of the Earth, introducing key elements of geological and environmental sciences.
- Earth's Resource Challenges: Introduces the critical roles Earth and environmental scientists play in society, addressing issues including natural resources, the hydrological cycle, natural hazards, and solutions to the climate crisis.
- Biology 1: This module provides an introduction to molecular and cellular biology. It covers cell diversity and the origins of life, evolution, cellular structures and fundamental processes.
- Biology 2: This module provides an introduction to the diversity of life on Earth and addresses key elements of organismal, behavioural and ecological aspects of life.
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In second year, you will continue to study modules tailored to your degree combination. Students will take the following compulsory second-year modules:â¯
- Research Methods in Biology: this module develops essential academic and transferable skills, with major emphasis on quantitative skills and problem solving. This is achieved through a combination of interactive lectures, independent data-handling workshops and group work on a mini research project.
- Ecology: introduces essential concepts in population and community ecology and how they relate to biodiversity.
- Dynamic Earth: The Earth System: this module covers the Earth's behavior, its interaction with the atmosphere and biosphere, and its evolution from an early lava planetmagma oceans to the present. It includes a variety of training in palaeontology, isotope dating geophysical methods and processes like erosion acting near Earth's surface
Students will also select one from each pair of modules listed below:
- Evolutionary Biology: gives an overview of the history and major principles of modern evolutionary biology.
- The Oceans: introduces basic concepts in biological and physical oceanography, and provides an understanding of how physical processes such as circulation patterns, waves and tides affect plants and animals living in the different ocean biomes.
- Vertebrate Zoology: explores the diversity of vertebrate animals, providing a detailed look at the defining characteristics of the body plans and lifestyles of the key vertebrate group
- Biochemistry: a number of central metabolic pathways and their control are studied in detail, alongside examples of their importance in disease and recent metabolomic studies.
- Dynamic Earth: Earth Surface Processes: this module focuses on low-temperature processes in Earth's outer envelopes, including oceans, atmosphere, and the Critical Zone. It explores their impact on climate and the environment, with a focus on developing fieldwork and statistical skills.
- Dynamic Earth: Magma, Minerals and Metamorphism: this module covers Earth's geology, rock formation, and how interior processes shape the surface. It explores minerals, volcanic, and metamorphic processes through plate tectonics. A key component is an independent field mapping course.
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In your third and fourth years, you will continue to specialise in your joint subjects via a wide range of modules covering core topics. Modules that have been offered in previous years include:
- Evolution
- Methods in Aquatic Biology
- Rewilding and Restoration Ecology
- Biology of Dinosaurs and Other Extinct Vertebrates
- Geochemistry
- GIS and Spatial Analysis for Earth Scientists
- Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
- Special Topics in Climate Science
In fourth year, students also undertake a final-year research project on an area of combined Biological and Earth Sciences which will allow students to pursue a topic of personal interest in depth. This project develop skills in experimental design, the evaluation and interpretation of data, and communication.
Fees and funding
- Scotland: Tuition fees are yet to be confirmed by the Scottish Government.
- England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man: £9,535 (yet to be confirmed by the UK Government)
- EU and overseas: £33,250
More information on tuition fees can be found on the undergraduate fees and funding page.
Accommodation fees
Find out about accommodation fees for University accommodation.
Funding and scholarships
The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to undergraduate students each year.
Entry requirements
The University offers different entry requirements, depending on your background. Find out more about Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.
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- Standard entry grades:
- AAAB, Including Biology (or Human Biology) and one other subject from the following: Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics.
- Minimum entry grades:
- AABB, Including Biology (or Human Biology) and one other subject from the following: Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics.
- Gateway entry grades:
- Applicants who have narrowly missed the minimum entry grades, but meet the University's contextual criteria, may be interested in one of the University’s Gateway programmes.
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- Standard entry grades:
- AAB, Including Biology and one other subject from the following: Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics.
- Minimum entry grades:
- ABB, Including Biology and one other subject from the following: Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics.
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- Standard entry grades:
- 36 (HL 6,6,5), including HL6 in Biology and HL6 in one of the following subjects: Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics.
- Minimum entry grades:
- 36 (HL 6,5,5), including HL6 in Biology and HL5 in one of the following subjects: Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics.
General entry requirements
All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to the specific entry requirements for individual programmes.
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SQA National 5 (B) in English and one SQA National 5 (B) from the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing science
- Geography
- Applications of Mathematics
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology.
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GCSE (5) in English language or English literature, and one GCSE (5) from the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing Science
- Geography
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology.
Other qualifications
We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes. Please see our entry requirements for more information.
More information on how to apply via other entry routes or accreditation of prior learning and experience can be found on the University's entry requirements web page.
Do I need to have studied this subject before?
Students must have studied Biology (or Human Biology) at SQA Higher, GCE A-Level or equivalent. Most students who enrol on this course have not studied Earth Sciences at school, and choose Earth Sciences based on a love of the environment, the outdoors, and science. Preference will be given to candidates offering strong science qualifications over and above the stated minimum requirements.
International applicants
If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability.
What to do next
Online information events
Join us for one of our information events where you can find out about different levels of study and specific courses we run. There are also sessions available for parents and college counsellors.
Undergraduate visiting days
We encourage all students who are thinking of applying to the University to attend one of our online or in-person visiting days.
Contact us
- Phone
- +44 (0)1334 46 3602
- bioadmissions@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Address
- School of Biology
Biomedical Sciences Research Complex
North Haugh
St Andrews
KY16 9ST
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