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Life Sciences and Global Sustainable Development BASc (C1L8)

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Explore our Life Sciences and Global Sustainable Development degree at Warwick

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GSD (Single Honours and Joint Courses)

88.6% Overall satisfaction for Global Sustainable Development students at Warwick (The National Student Survey 2021)

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We have revised the information on this page since publication. See the edits we have made and content history.

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C1L8

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Bachelor of Arts and Sciences (BASc)

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3 years full-time or 4 years full-time with intercalated year

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26 September 2022

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Global Sustainable Development

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University of Warwick

3a

Expand your knowledge of sustainability as you study the natural world through scientific analysis and practical activity on our BASc Life Sciences and Global Sustainable Development degree. As the course progresses, you will have the opportunity to choose either a Biological Sciences or Ecology route. Your chosen route will allow you to study modules tailored to your interests and career aspirations.

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What challenges does the natural world face in the wake of unprecedented human impact upon the environment? How might new research and innovations in Life Sciences work to secure the future of sustainable societies by countering infectious disease and biodiversity loss?

By choosing to study a Life Sciences and Global Sustainable Development (GSD) degree, you will be encountering these questions daily.

You will gain valuable lab and analytical experience whilst studying with Life Sciences. You will apply that knowledge to our current understandings of climate change, social justice, and food security. At the end of the first year, you will choose either a Biological Sciences or Ecology route, allowing you to study modules tailored to your interests and career aspirations.

By studying GSD, you will take a transdisciplinary approach and confront issues from a diverse array of perspectives. You will need to be ready to think creatively and embrace new opinions from your peers from across the world. We will challenge you to become an active participant in your own learning.

You can enhance your skills and studies through optional work placements, study abroad, and certificates.

3c

Teaching on this course is usually split equally between the GSD Department and the School of Life Sciences, regardless of your chosen route.

In the first year you will study core GSD modules designed to provide a critical understanding of the ‘three pillars of sustainable development’: 

You will also study the core Global Sustainable Development Project module, giving you the chance to see how the principles of GSD apply to a real case affecting a local community.

For the Life Sciences half of the workload, you will take three core modules: 

You will also choose one module from the following optional core modules: 

At the end of the first year, you will select a route for the remainder of your degree, either Biological Sciences or Ecology.

In the second year, in GSD you will have the opportunity to engage with a key issue in sustainability, studying one optional core module from the following: 

You will also choose optional modules with a GSD focus either from within GSD or from other departments across the University. 

In the second year on the Biological Sciences route, you will study three core modules:  

You will also study one optional core module from the following:  

In the second year on the Ecology route, you will study two core modules: 

You will also study one optional core module, either: 

Biological Oceanography

Plant Molecular Development

In addition, you will study one optional module, either

Evolution

Clinical Microbiology

You may choose to study abroad for part of your second year at Monash University. In Term One at Warwick, you will study an optional core GSD module, an optional module with a GSD focus, and Life Sciences modules within your chosen route. The remaining study will consist of pre-approved modules at Monash University.

In the final year you will take one core GSD Dissertation module, plus further relevant modules with a GSD focus from within or outside of the School for Cross-faculty Studies. 

In the final year, students on both routes can choose to do a Research Project and two optional core modules from a defined list, offered by the School of Life Sciences. Or, you can choose to study four optional core modules from a defined list, offered by the School of Life Sciences.

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In the GSD Department you will be taught by a range of academics from different disciplines. They will communicate their expertise on a specific issue and describe their methodology for addressing it. We expect you to bring together these various approaches and to develop your own informed stance on each issue.

Throughout the course you will:

Attend lectures and take part in seminars, workshops and tutorials.
Work with other students in teams on topical problems that pose significant sustainable development questions.
Undertake fieldwork, archival research and engage in peer discussion to propose alternative solutions.
Review the work of other students.

Discover how you will learn in GSD modules

In the School of Life Sciences you will be taught through a combination of tutorials, lectures, laboratory work, and independent group research.

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First-year core GSD modules have between 20 and 25 hours of contact time. Each module consists of lectures, workshops and, for the 'Global Sustainable Development Project' module, group supervision sessions.

Second-year optional core GSD modules have up to 45 and 50 contact hours.

The final-year core GSD dissertation module currently involves eight lectures and eight supervision sessions across three terms.

Optional modules in the GSD Department are available with between 25 and 50 hours for scheduled contact time, depending on the module. Some modules have lectures, workshops, film screenings and research supervision, whereas others only have lectures and workshops. Some modules may also include field trips.

Module offerings in other departments may involve more or less formal teaching time per week than the GSD modules.

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Life Sciences

For Life Sciences, in your first year there are currently no formal exams for the core Life Sciences modules. The optional first-year Life Sciences modules are currently 100% assessed by examination.

In the second year and final year, assessment methods in the Life Sciences modules will depend on your chosen route.

In the final year, you can choose from a range of optional core and optional modules offered by Life Sciences. Your choice of modules will determine the proportions of coursework to formal examination.

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A level typical offer

AAB, to include A level in Biology. You will also need grade B or grade 6 in English and Mathematics at GCSE.

We make differential offers to students in a number of circumstances at ABB, to include A level in Biology, plus grade B or grade 6 in English and Mathematics at GCSE.

A level contextual offer

General GCSE requirements

Unless specified differently above, you will also need a minimum of GCSE grade 4 or C (or an equivalent qualification) in English Language and either Mathematics or a Science subject. Find out more about our entry requirements and the qualifications we accept. We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.

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IB typical offer

36, to include Biology at Higher Level 5, and Mathematics and English.

IB contextual offer

We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is 34 including 5 in Higher Level Biology. If you do not have a grade B in GCSE Mathematics, you will need a grade 5 in Higher Level Mathematics or 6 in Standard Level Mathematics. See if you're eligible.

General GCSE requirements

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We welcome applications from students taking BTECs alongside one or two A levels, including A level Biology.

You will also need grade B or grade 6 in English and Mathematics at GCSE.

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Year One

GSD

Economic Principles of Global Sustainable Development

This module aims to introduce you to various economic concepts and perspectives related to global sustainable development. In particular, you will consider the relationship between economics and policy, and you will become familiar with the way in which economists address real-world dilemmas.

Environmental Principles of Global Sustainable Development

This module allows you to investigate a range of perspectives on Sustainable Development from the perspective of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary Environmental Studies. It aims to equip you with the capacity to engage in academically-grounded and critical discussion of the world’s most pressing environmental issues, as well as associated policy responses at a range of geographical scales. Furthermore, it aims to establish skills for the creation and the persuasive presentation of environmental policy to key decision makers specifically through the creation of a Policy Briefing paper and a Policy Pitch.

Social Principles of Global Sustainable Development

This module addresses the social and political principles of GSD. Its teaching methods range from Stimulus to Simulation in order to allow students to engage with theoretically complex concepts through practical activities. It is taught in a combination of lectures and seminars and involves group activities as well as online collaboration.

Global Sustainable Development Project

This module requires students to engage actively in understanding the real-life application of the theories they studied in their first year modules. The problem we investigate is sustainable transport: this is obviously a broad area of study, and one that has a wealth of qualitative and quantitative data to be examined / critiqued. The module aims to provide students with opportunities to examine the Economic, Environmental and Social arguments that have been advanced in relation to the case.

Life Sciences

Quantitative Skills for Biology

All biological scientists need to understand and analyse quantitative data. So, this module will see you learning to use statistical methods for analysing and summarising experimental data (for example, from your lab classes), and learning the basic principles for modelling biological populations.

Molecules, Cells and Organisms

You'll study this module as the essential foundation for most other modules taught in the School of Life Sciences. You'll gain the basic knowledge you need of molecular and cellular aspects of biology, and also become familiar with whole-organism and developmental biology, in the context of evolution.

Tutorial Programme

At the end of your first year you’ll choose either a Biological Sciences or Ecology route.

Animal and Plant Biology

Drawing on zoology and botany, on this module you'll broaden your biological knowledge to support your learning on second-year modules. By analysing and studying our current understanding of animal and plant evolution, diversity and physiological activities, you'll be able to integrate your organismal and molecular knowledge in a broad, evolutionary context. You'll also have opportunities to practise your skills in presentation and communication.

Environmental Biology

On this module, you will gain foundational knowledge in the study of the natural and managed environment and start to understand the pressures on the planet that result from anthropogenic activities. You will also look in more depth at how society responds to the challenges posed by environmental change.

Agents of Infectious Disease

You will start by gaining a thorough foundation in microbiology and virology, using infectious diseases as a common link to promote your understanding. Through your study of epidemiology, you will learn to appreciate the way that diseases spread and the methods used to investigate this spread. On completion, you can expect to understand the role of various structures associated with the bacterial cell in causing a range of diseases, and appreciate the structure of viruses and how this relates to their capacity to cause disease and the host response to viral challenge. This will equip you with the necessary theoretical foundations to underpin your future studies.

Year Two

GSD

Health and Sustainable Development

Viable and equitable solutions in health and sustainable development require interdisciplinary and critical thinking. The first part of the module will introduce you to fundamental concepts of global health governance and health systems, and acquaint you with key global health priorities like drug resistance and mental health from the perspective of GSD. The second part of the module will focus on issues that relate to policies and behavioural change, and are also applicable beyond health, for example in areas like education or technology transfer. Alongside the module content, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your analytical skills to make independent, critical, and constructive contributions to Health and Sustainable Development.

Security, Sovereignty and Sustainability in the Global Food System

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), agreed in 2015, commit the international community to a set of 17 goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity. Of these, Goal 2 specifically aims to end hunger, end all forms of malnutrition, and ensure sustainable food production systems by 2030.

The pressing need for such initiatives is stark: we inhabit a world where at least 800 million people are chronically undernourished. The world population is projected to increase to a staggering 10 billion people by 2050, yet who will be responsible for ensuring all these mouths are fed? And can we ever produce and consume food for so many people without causing an unsustainable impact on our environment?

Food security, sustainability and sovereignty are thus crucial issues confronting the world today, and it is these issues which this module seeks to introduce and evaluate. The module is taught in collaboration with active researchers from across various disciplines at Warwick, especially those involved in the University’s Global Research Priority on Food.

Inequalities and Sustainable Development: Inclusion and Dignity for All

This module focuses on how inequalities shape our societies, economies, environments and politics. Starting with the question ‘does inequality matter?’, you'll critically reflect on the UN's decision to integrate inequalities into the Sustainable Development Agenda. You’ll then explore six different dimensions of inequalities (work, politics, environmental justice, societal discrimination, automation and globalisation, opportunities and empowerment) and gain an understanding of the complexities of these problems. Finally, you’ll appreciate the challenges faced by today’s policy makers who aim to address issues of inequalities while taking into consideration all three pillars of sustainable development.

Final Year

GSD

GSD Dissertation/Long Project

In this final-year module you’ll bring together all of your learning and experiences on the course – the theoretical concepts and principles and your practical know-how – in order to address a specific sustainable development problem of your own choosing. This will be a problem that concerns you most and which you’d like to tackle.

You’ll be supported by an academic supervisor to devise a suitable project and to undertake research to explore the issue, taking a transdisciplinary approach to your investigation in order to produce an original research output. This may be a concept paper, a practical project, a film production, a long essay, an advocacy campaign etc. – use your creativity!

You’ll design a strategy for disseminating your findings (for example at a conference presentation, via online publication or an article in a journal or at a public meeting that you’ve arranged). This provides you with an opportunity to get your voice heard in a forum where it matters and could have lasting impact.

5b

Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules include:

GSD

Please see here for a full list of optional modules offered by the GSD Department.

School of Life Sciences

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