Why study Biology in the United Kingdom?
Firstly, few places have influenced human thought more in terms
of science and technology than this small collection of islands.
In the United Kingdom, the student biologist can retrace the steps
of Darwin, White of Selborne, Robert Hooke and a host of others,
who did so much to establish the fundamentals of the subject. You
have heard of the tri-carboxylic acid, or Kreb’s cycle; so
to seek out its origins, go to Sheffield. You have heard of the
first chlorination of water; this single, deceptively-simple measure
occurred following regular cholera epidemics in London - one step
that saved more lives than all the antibiotics which were also first
to be found here. Matchless collections, assembled by pioneer British
biologists, from all parts of the world, are here to study. Names
like Banks, Wallace and Hooker are to be seen on countless herbarium
pages, or on the jars of preserved type-specimens on the shelves
of UK museums. Where do you think are the papers from HMS Beagle
or the journals of Captain Cook?
So what of the present? The UK continues to absorb peoples and
cultures from all parts of the world, its’ universities adapting
themselves in an unbroken tradition that stretches back for nearly
eight hundred years. Over 90 universities, within a total of about
140 higher educational institutions, award a first or Bachelor’s
Degree. Of these, the vast majority advertise courses in Biology,
in all its forms, which remains the most popular science. Postgraduate
work, beyond the Bachelor’s Degree, encompasses Diploma courses,
studies at Masters’ level and the Degree of Ph.D. As you can
see from the familiar terminology, British qualifications are recognised
worldwide.
Study in the metropolis of London, or in the wider spread of England
beyond. Choose the mountains and open spaces of Scotland or Wales.
Take in the distinctive atmosphere of Ulster. Wherever you decide
to go, you can be sure to find a rewarding and stimulating course.
But what about the standards? How can you distinguish between course
literature from so wide a range of institutions? How can you trust
that what is advertised is actually true? The answer is Quality
Assurance, via a government agency, which can inspect all courses,
be that at undergraduate or postgraduate level.
The Degree of B.Sc. (Applied Biological Sciences), for example,
is expected by its students to cover more or less the same fundamental
ground and with similar academic goals, wherever it is taught. Traditionally
too, British universities inspect each other, via a system in which
external examiners from other similar UK institutions participate
in the examination process. The assessment of students must be seen
to be unbiased and all standards must be seen to be maintained.
In fact, Quality Assurance has been so successful that the process
is now being copied in many other parts of the world!
What of variations in course content? Biology, always at the forefront
of human endeavour, continues to evolve. UK universities do their
utmost to keep pace with all new developments, for this is the tradition
by which they survive.
Subdivision of Biology courses into subject areas, such as Biochemistry,
Biotechnology or Genetics, often makes it possible for students
to select single specialized routes for further study. By contrast,
the same modular-based course system means that other students can
develop their own more broadly-based Biology Degrees. For graduates
seeking opportunities for research, many institutions offer Diploma,
Masters’ or Doctorate level work. Not surprisingly, a larger
university will possess a greater subject range, whilst the smaller
institution may pride itself on lower student numbers and closer,
more personal supervision. Greater diversity contributes to the
strength of the whole.
Under the UK system, work is intensive. Three-year Bachelor and
Ph.D. Degree programmes tend to be the norm in which people need
to study efficiently and quickly. The wider world outside awaits
their talents and the contribution that UK-based Degrees can make.
Finally, you read this article in English, not in German, and not
in French. English is indisputably the language of science, technology,
business and commerce. The UK is the place where so much begins…
Author: Martin Whalley, Manchester Metropolitan University
This article first appeared in TransWorld Education
