Interdisciplinarity in Life Sciences
Modules
The School of Life Sciences offers a number of modules that contain elements of biology, chemistry, mathematics and statistics across all years of study.
In Year 3 students are also able to take departmental interdisciplinary modules:
Science Communication which brings in speakers to explore the role of empathy and storytelling in communication, politics, funding, schools, and festivals.
Introduction to Secondary Teaching in Biology which combine seminars, workshops and placement experience to develop teaching skills.
Research opportunities
Many of our students complete summer projects in active research labs in the School of Life Sciences and in other departments through the Undergraduate Research Student Scheme (URSS). These projects are often interdisciplinary in nature.
Other activities
Each year, a team of undergraduate students from the University of Warwick travel to Boston to compete in the Internationally Genetically Engineered Machines competition (iGEM). The competition provides a prestigious and unique opportunity for enthusiastic students to combine their skills in order to solve a real-life problem using synthetic biology.
Student story: Raksha Gohel
What is Interdisciplinarity?
For me, interdisciplinarity is being able to expand your brain and use multiple approaches when tackling a problem. This can apply to academia as well as everyday life. Although it can be overlooked, interdisciplinarity is essential in critical thinking and allows greater creativity which has helped me in my research.
Why Interdiscplinarity?
The Science Communication module really opened my mind as to the universality of interdisciplinarity and has helped shape my career plans. I am also involved in a WIHEA project to introduce interdisciplinarity to Welcome Week so that other students can appreciate the benefits of multi-disciplinary thinking from the start of their degrees.
IATL Modules
Studying on an IATL module gives you the opportunity to work with students and lecturers from right across the university, developing connections between ideas, experiences and practice. These skills, of working with people from different backgrounds and developing complex understandings of concepts, are increasingly valued by both students and employers alike and offer you ways of engaging with some of the big questions facing us today. In an IATL module you are not merely learning about the world, you are working with others to develop new ways of understanding it.
There are plenty of options for both Undergraduate and Postgraduate students to choose from. Speak to your department or fill out a request form to get started.
Warwick Enterprise
Enterprise and entrepreneurship are not just about starting or running a business. It embodies a set of transferable skills that are integral to the experience of every student, and that are sought after by a broad range of employers. Whatever your background, interests and post Warwick ambitions, there are plenty of ways you can have an interdisciplinary experience with Warwick Enterprise.
World at Warwick
Warwick is one of the most vibrant, diverse and global Universities in the UK. Explore learning and extra curricular opportunities available on campus and with Study Abroad that will help push the boundaries of your learning. From events, to study abroad opportunities and intercultural training programme, explore the World at Warwick!