A course suitable for those interested in human health and wellbeing
Our BSc (Hons) Human Biology course covers a wide range of topics for those interested in learning about how to determine human illnesses and disease. It opens doors to a variety of opportunities including published articles, working abroad and impactful careers, as well as letting students excel in a specific area and pursue research interests.
Harsha Rajeev was looking “for a course that offered a wide range of opportunities and a comprehensive understanding of human health. When I found the Human Biology course at the University of Derby, it stood out to me because it provided core modules in human biology alongside optional modules, allowing students to tailor their studies based on individual interests. The course is also accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, which added to its appeal. In addition to the course structure, the University’s TEF Gold status and its ranking were major factors in my decision. The positive reviews about the personal tutor system, academic support and wellbeing services, along with the peaceful and pleasant location, made Derby an ideal choice for me.”
For Robert Flynn, the facilities on offer drew him to study here. “The facilities at Derby are phenomenal. The main atrium as you first enter the University has the wow factor. There are a range of modern lecture theatres for larger classes, classrooms for smaller groups that are brilliant for discussions, and various top-quality laboratories and suites to support practical learning in a multitude of subjects. The library spans three floors and is an excellent space that contains thousands of textbooks, many computers to access online materials and journal articles, and quiet spaces so that you can concentrate on your work without disruption.”
Robert is really happy that he made the decision to study Human Biology at the University of Derby as “not only do I now have a top degree that will help me to stand out to employers, I have also received additional support from the academics and the careers employment service to further develop my personal and technical skills that have made me a much more rounded individual.”
Work experience abroad
The course is designed to ensure that graduates feel confident and prepared to enter the world of work by ensuring each individual gains hands-on experience in a range of facilities, equipment and work settings. Petros Kourlios shared that he gained “hands-on experience in various lab settings in which I developed essential technical skills that were meant to prepare me for real-world laboratory work”, which he could then apply in his work placement out in Greece. Petros worked at a general regional hospital in Greece and whilst there he rotated through three different laboratories: biochemistry, microbiology and haematology. His role involved assisting with various laboratory tasks, such as sample preparation, analysis and data recording, under the supervision of experienced laboratory professionals. Through his placement he realised that “having gained invaluable hands-on experience in diagnostic laboratories during my placement in Greece and through my studies, I've developed a deep passion for applying scientific knowledge to improve patient care.”
The teaching team encourage students to undertake work placements and internships. Harsha said, “The career guidance and skill development tools have given me a clearer understanding of what it takes to pursue a career and provided valuable insight into the professional world.” After taking a year-long industry placement, at MCS Laboratories Ltd as a Technical Assistant, she was able to perform preservative efficacy tests unsupervised and was responsible for training new employees on logging samples. This led to a change in confidence and drive for self-improvement.
Hear from industry experts
The academic staff are also passionate about enabling students on this course to realise their career prospects. They arrange for guest lecturers in the field to present to classes and share their experiences and provide guidance. Harsha said she “frequently attend seminars led by guest lecturers and researchers specialising in various fields. These sessions are not only informative but also incredibly inspiring. The speakers often share insights into their career journeys and provide a deep dive into the topics they have spent years researching. Despite the advanced nature of these topics, they are fascinating and broaden my understanding of the cutting-edge technologies and methods driving progress in science.”
Success is acknowledged
The enthusiasm of the teaching team encourages students to push themselves and their boundaries so they achieve great things. Jenni Chambers received a Dean’s Award during her first two years of the degree for her academic achievements, and an Outstanding Achievement in Human Biology award at graduation. She also had an article published in her third year of her degree which she described as “a true highlight”.
Harsha also received the Dean’s Award in her first year. “I was truly amazed when I received it, and I believe it was due in part to the incredible support I felt during that time.”
Another student who excelled was Robert who graduated with first class honours. “On the same day that I graduated, my independent study project was published in a scientific journal article. This was an incredible honour and quite unexpected at the time. At graduation I was a multiple prize winner, including the Final Year Project Prize for Human Biology, the Royal Society of Biology Top Student Award, and the Vice-Chancellor Prize for outstanding contribution to the College of Science and Engineering.”
Enhancing CVs through these additional opportunities and awards allows our graduates to stand out in the job market.
The course also enables students to realise their potential, just like Jenni and Robert who have progressed to a PhD and are both working on topics they are passionate about. Jenni’s work follows on from an epigenetics project she completed in the third year of her undergraduate degree programme, and Robert has successfully secured a PhD position specialising in family interventions to improve the motor skills of children during early childhood.
