BSc in Natural Sciences

BSc Degrees

The BSc Natural Sciences degree provides a wide choice of subjects to study and does not require applicants to study any particular subject. These subjects are divided into three groups:

Group 1

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Earth Sciences
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Psychology.

At least half of your studies in the second and third years in Natural Sciences must be from the subjects listed in Group 1. Not all subjects can be taken together.

Group 2

• Anthropology
• Business
• Economics
• Geography
• Philosophy.

No more than half of your studies in the second and third years can be from subjects in Group 2. Each of these subjects contributes to at least one Joint Honours degree with the subjects from Group 1.

Group 3

These subjects are Sport and Education (excluding History of Art) and are based in Durham City. None of the subjects in Group 3 contribute to a Joint Honours degree in Natural Sciences (and so no combination with these subjects is guaranteed to work in the timetable) and no more than half of your studies in the second and third years can be made up of subjects in Groups 2 and 3. If you are interested in taking subjects from Group 3, you are strongly recommended to contact the Natural Sciences Admissions Selector to judge the feasibility of combining subjects from Groups 1 and 3.

Typically, first-year BSc Natural Sciences students either take three modules from two subjects or modules from three subjects. Other combinations are possible, but this combination would normally allow you to progress with any or all three of these subjects, as well as starting some new subjects in your second year.

Flexibility and choice

The degree allows you to choose from a wide choice of subjects to include in your degree. It also allows you to delay the choice about the direction of your studies until the end of your first year (and in some cases to the end of your second year). Each year you can normally change your choice of modules within the first three weeks of the academic year.

Depth

The degree requires final-year students to undertake capstone modules that are student-driven and involve independent thought, personal management of the work’s direction and are synoptic of the programs learning outcomes. Typically, these modules will have a very small taught component and staff act as mentors, rather than delivers of information.

Patterns of study

As part of the BSc Natural Sciences degree you may follow one of the following patterns of study:

BSc Honours Natural Sciences Degrees

With this route, you could study the same three subjects each year. You could also build on your first-year studies in one or two subjects and then combine advanced modules in these subjects with a new subject(s) in your second year.

You could then study two or three subjects in your third year, all of which you must also have studied in earlier years. With this route, you would graduate with a BSc Honours degree in Natural Sciences with your main subjects studied listed on the degree certificate.

At the end of year two, the BSc allows you the option of transferring onto either “with Year Abroad” or “with Placement” pathway.  Note that these options are competitive and so applicants cannot apply for these pathways through UCAS.

BSc Joint Honours Degrees within Natural Sciences

With a BSc Joint Honours degree in two subjects, you will study each of these two subjects in all of the three years of study. In the first year, there may be the opportunity to take modules in a third subject, if you wish. If you follow the requirements for a Joint Honours degree you graduate with a BSc Honours degree in A and B within the Natural Sciences program (where A and B are replaced with the relevant subjects).  If a combination is not offered, it might still be possible for you to combine them with a third subject within a Natural Sciences degree that is not a Joint Honours degree. Please contact the Natural Sciences Admissions Selector for further details.  Note that the “with Year Abroad” and “with Placement” pathways are also offered as added extras with Joint Honours degrees. 

Year 1

You must study at least two subjects, but no more than four, which give you a good progression into your second-year subjects. You can specialize by taking up to four modules in one subject.

For instance, students who want to do the BSc Joint Honours degree in:

• Biology and Earth Sciences must do four core modules, which leaves them free to choose any two optional modules from any subject on offer.
• Economics and Mathematics must do five core modules from these subjects leaving them one free module from any subject.

To find out the number of core modules for each subject you are advised to look at the Natural Sciences webpages as a guide.

BSc Natural Sciences students often take two modules from three subjects, although other combinations are possible, this combination would normally allow progression with any or all three of these subjects. The design of the program is constrained by the entry requirements and limits of the University’s academic timetable which is published five months before the start of the academic year.

Year 2

You must study at least two subjects, but no more than three, which gives you reasonable progression into your third-year subjects. You can specialize by taking up to four modules in one subject.

For instance, students following the BSc Joint Honours degree in:

• Mathematics and Physics must do five core modules leaving them free to choose another module from these subjects to achieve an equal balance.
• Biology and Psychology must do six core modules.

Students who are taking the BSc in Natural Sciences have considerable freedom which is only limited by progression and the academic timetable, so in this scenario, they do not need to adhere to the strict Joint-Honours rules. They must build on one or two subjects studied in their first year, but also have the option of starting a new subject by taking a first-year module in their second year.

Year 3

You must study at least two subjects, but no more than three. You can specialize by taking up to five modules in one subject. Students may also take a second-year module during this year.

For example, students following the BSc Joint Honours degree in:

• Chemistry and Earth Sciences must do two core modules in Chemistry and at least two modules from Earth Sciences with the remaining modules from these subjects, which could be none, one or two
• Business and Computer Science must do at least two modules from each subject with the remaining modules from these subjects.

Students taking the BSc in Natural Sciences have continued freedom and are required to take a capstone module. They combine modules in subjects already studied to a higher level. The main subjects studied will be listed on the degree certificate having studied at least 50% science-subjects in years two and three