Biology

Study Biology and you study life. Biology degree courses explore the full scope of life: from bacteria to blue whales, from enzymes to ecosystems.

The University of Stirling Biology courses train you in laboratory and field skills across the entire scope of biology, from cell biology through to ecology. Biology degree students develop sound practical skills and become involved with our research, giving them the opportunity to contribute to important biological discoveries.

Stirling is the perfect place to study Biology with wild landscapes and habitats on our doorstep. We are a hub for conservation activity in Scotland and link up with many environmental and conservation organisations across the world.

Biology courses

Courses labelled are available for online study only.

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Environmental Science

Graduate careers in Biology

Our Biology graduates progress to successful careers in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and agricultural industries. Many find employment in:

  • biotechnology
  • microbiology
  • conservation
  • environmental agencies
  • civil service
  • forensic science
  • teaching
  • food industry
  • hospital analytical laboratories
  • government and industrial research laboratories
  • zoology

In addition, there is a wide range of more general graduate employment for Biology graduates, which includes:

  • bioinformatics
  • health and clinical sciences
  • medical sales and marketing
  • science journalism
  • teaching

About one third of our recent Biology graduates have continued their studies to obtain a further qualification, such as a Masters degree or PhD.

Partnerships and industry

Our campus is a conservation hub for organisations including the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Scottish Natural Heritage, British Trust for Ornithology and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.

We work closely with these and other organisations, such as the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, in conducting research, arranging placements and field training, and developing our Biology courses.

We also have links with environmental science organisations throughout the UK and overseas, including the International Union for Conservation of Nature, European Environment Agency, Gabonese National Parks Service, and the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research.

We’ve worked with Scottish employers to develop our Applied Biological Sciences course, to help solve skills shortages in the life sciences sector.

Societies and communities

Marine Conservation Society - a student run society that are passionate about saving our oceans. Be a part of conservation efforts through action and education.

Bumblebee Conservation Trust - a conservation organisation based at the University of Stirling Innovation Park. Their vision is to create a world where bumblebees are thriving and valued, so have a mission to increase the number and distribution of bumblebees.

Biology research

We’re world leaders in Biological and Environmental research. We seek to understand the fundamental processes driving the evolution and maintenance of biodiversity – from how environments and ecosystems have changed over time, to predicting and mitigating the future impacts of anthropogenic change and natural hazards.

We’re involved with many international projects around the world, including in Malaysia, Botswana, Nigeria, Iceland, Norway, Greenland, Ukraine, Hungary and China.

We consistently attract major research grant support from the Natural Environment Research Council, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Leverhulme Trust, charitable trusts and industrial sponsors.

Our key areas of research:

  • conservation
  • plant ecology and biogeography
  • evolutionary ecology
  • environmental protection
  • environmental change
  • landscape history
  • biogeochemical cycling
  • terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems
  • environment, heritage and policy

Postgraduate research opportunities

Study for a Biology, Ecology or Environmental Science PhD or MPhil at the University of Stirling and you’ll be supervised by experienced and expert staff. See our PhD and MPhil opportunities in:

Behaviour and Evolution Research Group

The focus is on understanding the interaction between evolved capacities and actions in humans and other animals in the changing world of the 21st century.

Evolving Organisms Research Group

We research how ecological processes affect evolutionary patterns, and how evolutionary mechanisms, such as natural and sexual selection, shape ecological diversity.

Ecosystem Change Research Group

They focus on interdisciplinary research bringing together ecology and social science to model, predict and manage ecosystem change for the benefit of biodiversity and human wellbeing

Healthy Environments: Sustainable Societies Research Group

The group's research provides interdisciplinary evidence to drive innovative management of land, air and water, and policy tools that promote societal well-being and ecosystem resilience.