Course Offered:

• BA (Hons) in Biological Sciences

Current Fellows and Lecturers

Dr Nathalie Seddon (Tutorial Fellow)
Dr Ian Moore (Lecturer)

The Course 
Biological Sciences at Oxford is organised by the Departments of Plant Sciences and Zoology, which are a short walk from Wadham, but tutorial work is arranged by the College.

In the first year students follow courses in Organisms, Cell Biology and Genetics, and Population Biology. In the second year all students study Evolution, Quantitative Methods and three other modules chosen from a list of five, two of which are taken to a more advanced level in the third year. Undergraduates can bias their degree towards either plant or animal biology. An important part of the assessment in the third year is a research project, which is independent work undertaken in the field or in the lab, and two extended essays. The final degree class is based on a combination of second year examinations, coursework, and the final examinations.

There is a compulsory one-week field course in the first year, and students specialising in Plant Biology can also attend a field visit to Portugal. Students may also have the opportunity to join a University expedition, and some use data collected in this for their research project. 

Teaching Structure 
Students generally receive one tutorial a week in their first year, normally in groups of 2 or 3. Thereafter they have a variety of weekly assignments, including at least one tutorial or seminar class, each week.

The Tutors
The College's Tutorial Fellow in Biological Sciences is Dr Nathalie Seddon.  She is assisted by Dr Moore, and those areas not covered by tutors in College are dealt with by tutors with relevant expertise in other colleges.

Further Information
Further information can be found on the Department website or in the University's Undergraduate Prospectus.

Student Profile

Sarah Marks

I chose to study Biology as, not only do I find it an extremely interesting subject, it is an area of science that is currently attracting much attention throughout the world.  Studying Biological Sciences at Oxford puts you at the forefront of learning in such ‘hot topics’ as climate change, genetic engineering and many other areas of research.  The Biological Sciences course allows the study of a massive range of subjects and disciplines in the first year, giving you a taste of what all the many areas of biology are like.  This broad start then enables you to make informed decisions when you narrow down your options choices in the second and third years. 

I chose to apply to Wadham as, apart from the obvious benefits of having a centrally located college, I was drawn by its liberal reputation and its beauty.  The college has definitely lived up to my expectations; life at Wadham is varied and exciting.  Biology is a strong subject at Wadham, with the college having two Biology tutors.  Work generally consists of one essay a week, culminating in a tutorial with a college tutor, or another specialist in a particular area.  Tutorials are usually challenging, yet enjoyable events where you are both stretched and helped simultaneously to give you a full understanding of a particular area.  In addition to the work side, Biologists also have fun at Wadham; with Biology dinners and BBQs organised by our tutors!  There is also plenty of time to participate in many other activities; I have managed to fit in playing on the college netball and badminton teams, and being the Welfare and Housing Officer on the College Student Union!