Undergraduate study in biology

• Lab-based study

  In Year 1 and Year 2, you will gain skills in laboratory-based practical classes. These skills include:

  • good lab practice
  • experimental design
  • microscopy
  • handling cells
  • electrophoresis
  • biomolecule isolation and characterisation.

  In the process of developing your laboratory skills, you will also build your range of transferable skills such as report writing, sourcing relevant information, data handling and presentation, and teamwork.

  This early training will prepare you for advanced laboratory-based studies in Year 3 and Year 4, and will equip you with the skills sought by employers and postgraduate study.

• Field-based study

  In Year 1 and Year 2, you will develop the skills needed to conduct field-based studies in and around the St Andrews area. These skills will include:

  • good lab practice in the field
  • field sampling methods
  • fixing and preserving specimens
  • measuring structures using microscopes
  • species identification and using dichotomous keys.

  In the process of developing your field skills, you will also build your range of transferable skills such as report writing, sourcing relevant information, data handling, data presentation and teamwork.

  This early training will prepare you for field courses beyond the St Andrews area in later years of study, and will equip you with the skills sought by employers and postgraduate study.

  Previous field study locations

  In previous years, Biology students have been able to attend field trips to the following locations: 

  • Kindrogan Field Station in the Scottish Highlands to hone sampling and species identification methods.
  • Maldives scientific research station for those with diving qualifications to learn how to gather robust scientific data underwater, witness first hand the fragile and diverse ecosystem of tropical coral reefs, and have the chance to propose, develop and lead a significant underwater research project. 
  • Orielton Field Station on the Pembrokeshire coast for a field-based exercise.
  • Antarctica vessel-based expedition to gain an appreciation of and insights into the diversity, complexity, scientific and management challenges of the Antarctic ecoregion.