Department of Life & Environmental Sciences

We are a multi-disciplinary team of biologists, ecologists, geographers, forensic, medical and environmental scientists. Our wide-ranging specialist interests include human evolution, biology and genetics, microbiology, sustainability, paleoecology, remote sensing, coastal and terrestrial geomorphology, the ecology of plants and animals within terrestrial, freshwater & marine environments and forensic science covering crime and disaster events.

In a biodiversity hotspot, close to iconic environments such as the New Forest National Park, Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, we’re ideally situated to study and research life and environmental sciences.

On campus, our forensic science students have access to our dedicated Crime Scene Training Facility and external facilities such as Streetwise where you can participate in large-scale simulated crime scenes and disaster scenarios. Our purpose-built medical science facilities include cell culture labs and the latest industry-standard equipment.

Our courses

Undergraduate courses

BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences

This hands-on BSc offers you the chance to examine the interaction of biological systems alongside developing the specialist skills needed to apply biological concepts to the solution of practical problems in the field of human biology, biomedical sciences and environmental sciences.

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences

Biomedical sciences forms an important component of medical science, informing, supporting and improving human healthcare and medicine. It is a broad-based degree providing students with a graduate-level understanding of how to effectively analyse and interpret results to support the diagnosis, monitoring, treatment and prevention of disease.

BU research has helped to preserve Madagascar’s plants and wildlife

BSc (Hons) Ecology & Wildlife Conservation

There’s a growing demand for professionals with skills in the areas of wildlife protection, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem management. This course has been specifically designed to address that need, providing you with a solid scientific grounding in field study of species, ecological interactions, wildlife conservation, habitats, and landscape processes.

BSc (Hons) Environmental Science

This BSc degree, accredited by The Institution of Environmental Sciences, integrates the natural sciences and examines how a wide range of factors can affect the environment. It has been developed to provide a solid overview in the discipline of environmental science, as well as looking at how humans shape the world around us and humanity can tackle the issues arise from this.

BSc (Hons) Geography

Geography covers a variety of topics that examine the natural, social, economic and political factors that influence our rapidly changing world. Our accredited BSc will help you understand ways of managing our environment sustainably and deal with social and environmental conflicts that affect the world we live in. As the course covers both human and physical geography, you can tailor the course to your interests by choosing appropriate units from year two.

BSc (Hons) Marine Ecology and Conservation (Top-up)

This top-up degree will build on Foundation courses in Marine, Freshwater or Coastal Conservation to provide a university experience and opportunity to co-create research with academics in the discipline. It provides new legislative contexts for conservation, as well as further fieldwork opportunities and chances to learn about ecology of charismatic megafauna.

BSc (Hons) Medical Science

On this course, students study a comprehensive range of topics within medical science, gaining an in-depth understanding of how our bodies work, how disease is treated and how new technology is evolving in this exciting field.

BSc (Hons) Forensic Biology

This degree, taught by leading academics, experienced practitioners and a range of professional guest lecturers, will help you develop a comprehensive grounding in forensic biology. It includes mock crime scenes and disasters, and the use of sophisticated lab and field equipment to collect and analyse biological evidence, write detailed logs and reports, and even collaboration with staff on current forensic research projects.

BSc (Hons) Forensic Investigation

Designed specifically for those interested in the investigative side of forensics, this course deals with the theoretical and practical aspects of forensic investigation of crime scenes and disaster investigations, and is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

BSc (Hons) Forensic Science

Exploring crime scene science, toxicology, chemistry, and molecular biology, amongst other fascinating subjects, this degree, designed to be one of the most modern and relevant of its kind, has been engineered to give you a broad understanding of the theory and practice of forensic science.

Postgraduate courses

MSc Biodiversity Conservation

On this course you’ll learn about the latest developments in conservation science and practice, hone your ability to communicate effectively and develop your skills in identifying flora and fauna. When you graduate, you’ll have developed an in-depth knowledge of the science and practice of biodiversity conservation – equipping you with the skills required for a career in this area.

Biodiversity, Environmental Change & Green Economy

MSc Green Economy

The development of a green economy, or an economy that is environmentally sustainable, has become a political and socio-economic imperative. It is highly inter-disciplinary, drawing from ecology, geography, social science, psychology and technology – and, in keeping with the ethos of the course, is studied by distance learning.

Our accreditations

In 2019, the department successfully applied for an Athena Swan Bronze Award, recognising achievements and commitment to improving gender equality in Higher Education, while accreditations received by our courses include the Institution of Environmental Sciences, the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) and the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.