Biological Sciences

Biological Sciences is an exciting and rapidly developing subject area, with many applications in fields as diverse as conservation biology and molecular genetics. The study of living things has undergone tremendous expansion in recent years, and topics such as cell biology, neuroscience, evolutionary biology and ecology are advancing rapidly. These developments will have a considerable impact on society, in areas such as medicine, the environment and agriculture. The rapid expansion has been accompanied by a blurring of the distinctions between disciplines: a biologist with an interest in tropical plants may well use many of the tools and techniques that are indispensable to a molecular geneticist.

Oxford has large departments of both Plant Sciences and Zoology, with extremely well-equipped modern laboratories. In addition, there are extensive zoological and botanical collections in the Zoology and Plant Sciences Departments, University Museum of Natural History, Botanic Garden, Herbarium, Arboretum and University Parks that support work on the animal and plant kingdoms. The departments also have access to nearby Wytham Woods and the Food Animal Initiative site at the University Field Station that are used for fieldwork. The Oxford course permits a flexible combination of molecular and whole-organism biology with opportunities to specialise in particular areas.

A significant proportion of Oxford biologists embark on a professional, scientific or technical career after graduating, whilst more than one third go on to further study such as a research doctorate, or a postgraduate course in an applied field. Others will take up careers in fields such as industry or finance, where their scientific problem-solving skills are excellent training.

Recent Biological Sciences graduates include an occupational therapist and a scientist within a multinational pharmaceutical firm. Hannah, who graduated in 2007, is now a research assistant at the Royal Veterinary College. She says: ‘My degree gave me a keen interest in my subject and the skills to pursue it. So far I have tracked rhinos across deserts, chased birds across oceans, and am currently working with chickens!’