Biological Sciences at Leicester
We offer a range of courses in Biological Sciences, including specialisms in Biochemistry, Genetics, Microbiology, Zoology and Physiology with Pharmacology. We also offer medically-related degrees, including Medical Biochemistry, Medical Genetics, Medical Microbiology and Medical Physiology. For more information see Undergraduate Courses.
The University is ranked 3rd and 4th in the UK for Biosciences in the 2012 University Guides published by the Sunday Times and the Guardian, respectively; it was also ranked 1st for Genetics in the 2011 National Student Survey. This is mainly due to the quality of the academic programmes and of the teaching staff, with 50% placed in the top 1% in their research field.
The School's teaching is delivered by five departments:
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Cell Physiology & Pharmacology
- Genetics
- Infection, Immunity & Inflammation
The departments collaborate on teaching and research. Our ability to offer a wide range of degrees gives our students both breadth of vision and specialised knowledge across the whole range of the modern biological sciences.
Biochemistry at Leicester
The Department of Biochemistry is one of four Departments within the School of Biological sciences which operate within the College of Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology. The Department comprises around 30 academic staff and is housed in the new Henry Wellcome Building. It offers excellent facilities for research from structural biology at the atomic level through to in vivoanalysis by transgenic methods. Research is based around a number of broad themes, but there are extensive collaborations both within these areas and with other research groups in the University and elsewhere.
Animal and Plant Biology at Leicester
The Department of Biology is a research-led department engaged in a wide range of research activities, including Plant Cellular and Molecular Biology, Molecular Cytogenetics, Behavioural and Evolutionary Biology, and Neurophysiology.
Cell Physiology and Pharmacology
The Department of Cell Physiology and Pharmacology was created to bring together existing research strengths in cellular and molecular aspects of physiology and pharmacology within the University Medical School. Situated on the main University campus it occupies space in the Maurice Shock Building, Hodgkin Building and the new Henry Welcome Building.
The main research focus of the Department is in cell surface receptors, ion channels and intracellular signalling pathways, particularly their function in the normal and diseases cardiovascular system, respiratory system and nervous system.
Our world class research activities inform our undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes providing a stimulating and cutting edge environment for learning.
Genetics at Leicester
The Department, world-renowned for the discovery by Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys of the technique of DNA fingerprinting, is an international centre for pioneering research into genetics. Our diverse research, encompassing humans, mice, fruit flies, and microbes, addresses fundamental genetic questions in evolution, disease, behaviour and development.
Infection, Immunity and Inflammation at Leicester
The department is located on the main University campus, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building and within the University Hospitals of Leicester.We are a research-led department engaged in internationally competitive research. With strong links with the NHS, the department brings together basic and clinical scientists with established strengths in microbial sciences, respiratory sciences, nephrology and immunology.
