Teaching and Learning
How will I spend my time?
As a Life Sciences student you will have plenty of contact with the staff who teach you. In your first year you should expect around 10 lectures a week and a taught tutorial with your personal tutor and 6-7 of your peers. You will normally have up to 12 laboratory sessions over Terms 1 and 2. Independent learning, reading, and preparation, including assessments work, will occupy the rest of your study time.
Lectures
Our lecture theatres are equipped with the latest equipment and different lecturers adopt different teaching styles in order to provide you with the knowledge and understanding required to be successful in your chosen area of study.
Our Lecture Capture system allows you to re-access lectures to aid your understanding and revision. Assessment of the knowledge gained through lectures is undertaken by in module multiple-choice tests and exams.
According to the National Student Survey (2021), 92% of our students said 'Staff are good at explaining things'.
Laboratories
Laboratory based practical work is an integral part of all degrees in Life Sciences, providing you with the practical skills required as a modern scientist.
You will follow a programme of taught labs in your first and second year and complete a laboratory or data analysis research project in the final year. Students progressing onto the integrated Master's programme extend their lab experience by completing a longer, 6-month project within the School or a 12-month industrial placement.
Assessment of laboratories is undertaken through the production of scientific lab reports and data handling tasks.
Taught tutorials
Weekly tutorials in your first year and fortnightly in the second and final years, provide the opportunity to interact regularly with your personal tutor and a small group of peers. Tutorial sessions develop a range of scientific and transferable skills and ensure that you gain regular feedback on your academic progress. Your personal tutor stays with you throughout your degree and is your point of call for any academic or welfare support. Assessment of tutorials includes the production of a scientific poster, analysis and discussion of academic papers and seminar presentations.
Projects & research placement opportunities
All degrees include a research project in the final year.
You can choose from a range of laboratory-based and data analysis projects offered by academic staff in a wide range of diverse areas. During your project you are closely supported by a member of staff and carry out your research in the School’s state-of-the-art facilities.
During your time at Warwick, you have the opportunity to apply for and obtain research experience during the vacations, when you can work alongside PhD students, technicians and postdoctoral staff in our research laboratories or outside the University in a range of other organisations. These vacation projects attract a variety of bursaries including the Warwick URSS scheme.
Full information on student research with the School of Life Sciences.
Field courses
Field courses are an important part of learning in Life Sciences. A range of optional field courses are currently available in the second year:
- Pembroke, Wales
- Brazil (subject to availability of host institute)
Ensuring your success
Alongside your studies there are a range of things available to enhance your experience within the School and ensure that you are fully supported:
Student Staff Liaison Committee
The Student Staff Liaison Committee is made up of student representatives from all undergraduate courses and members of staff. The committee provides a space for students to discuss anything related to teaching, learning and student support, and to get involved with the running of the School.
According to the National Student Survey (2021), 90% of our students said 'I have had the right opportunities to provide feedback on my course'.
BioSoc – Warwick students’ Biology Society
Friendly, innovative and open to anyone, the society is a focal point for all biology students.
The student-led society run peer support sessions, socials and events throughout the year.
Being part of BioSoc is also a great way of meeting new people and making friends on your course.
Senior Tutors
Each year group has a dedicated Senior Tutor.
As a team, the Senior Tutors are responsible for the welfare of students in the department, which means they are always looking to improve your learning experience.
Quantitative Biology Centre (QuBiC)
QuBiC provides an opportunity for you to obtain support with the data handling skills that are important for Life Science research and a range of careers. The Centre provides drop-in sessions for students at all levels within the School.
BioCafe
Run by students for students, BioCafe offers weekly peer-support sessions covering writing lab reports to revision techniques.
Science 101
Science 101 is a skills-based module for Year 1 students to help you transition from school to university study. It provides you with the key skills required to enable you to develop as an independent learner.
BioMed Grid
To support your study you have full access to the BioMed Grid based on Gibbet Hill Campus. This is a learning environment for biologists, with reference books, careers information, video editing, SMART boards, plasma screens and presentation rooms.
Interactive Computational Learning Suite
Learning in our interactive suite of 120 iMac computers gives you the opportunity to develop a high standard of bioinformatics and computational skills, essential for modern biology.