This joint honours degree enables you to develop knowledge and skills through an exploration of the science and philosophy of living things, as well as a historical understanding of how these fields of study have evolved over time.

You’ll combine practical lab work with classroom-based learning, developing a broad set of biological knowledge and skills, whilst exploring the history of scientific thought, the links between magic, science and religion and the nature of scientific knowledge.

A combination of compulsory and optional modules will enable you to improve your understanding of key topics such as philosophy of science, cell biology and genetics and gain specialist knowledge in areas like philosophy of biology, behavioural ecology and animal development biology.

Course details

A joint honours degree allows you to study compulsory topics from each single honours course, but you’ll take fewer options and discovery modules so you can fit in both subjects.

Compulsory modules in your first year introduce you to key topics and approaches in biology and history and philosophy of science, from the history of science and the scientific method to genetics, cell biology and research skills in biology.

You’ll also be able to choose from optional modules in areas such as history of medicine, the history of interactions between magic, science and religion, the philosophy of race, and the philosophy of mind. You can also take discovery modules from across the wider University.

From this foundation, you’ll build your knowledge and skills over the next two years through a broader range of study, with the opportunity to specialise in your final year. You’ll choose from a variety of modules, curated for the course, including animal and plant life, ecology, genetics, conservation, philosophy of science, philosophy of biology, and science communication.

Throughout the degree you’ll build an impressive breadth of subject knowledge, and develop qualitative, quantitative and analytical research skills. In your final year, you’ll have the chance to showcase these skills when you focus on a subject of your choice to undertake a research project in either of your subjects.

If you decide to take a project in the history or philosophy of science, you’ll have a choice between two different kinds of research project – both offer you the guidance of an individual supervisor, but one also offers the scaffolded support of an associated module on the topic of your project, while the other allows you the freedom to pursue an independent research project of your own design.

You’ll have the opportunity for genuine research-led teaching throughout the degree, especially at upper levels. Some of the upper-level optional modules are currently in the process of revision, but the list below will give you a flavour of what will be available on this course.