university of york field trips? biological sciences

i know this is SUCH an unimportant question but i was reading up stuff about biological sciences in sheffield and they (apparently) do regular field trips to like zoos and aquariums etc and realised there is NOTHING about this on the uni of york website which is the uni i currently was starting to consider again (mind you i am VERY indecisive so it changes all the time but yknow i've got two weeks)
also! compared to sheffield at york there are about 6 core modules for first year is that not stressful?? i dont get how uni works but like that sounds SO stressful?? at sheffield there are two cores and then you have optional ones and just help

also! compared to sheffield at york there are about 6 core modules for first year is that not stressful?? i dont get how uni works but like that sounds SO stressful?? at sheffield there are two cores and then you have optional ones and just help

i know this is SUCH an unimportant question but i was reading up stuff about biological sciences in sheffield and they (apparently) do regular field trips to like zoos and aquariums etc and realised there is NOTHING about this on the uni of york website which is the uni i currently was starting to consider again (mind you i am VERY indecisive so it changes all the time but yknow i've got two weeks)
also! compared to sheffield at york there are about 6 core modules for first year is that not stressful?? i dont get how uni works but like that sounds SO stressful?? at sheffield there are two cores and then you have optional ones and just help

I hear you. It is an important question. We'd want you to have the information you need before making a decision.
I am Prof. Richard Waites from the Biology Department at the University of York. In Biology, I am the Director for Students. I am always happy to answer questions about our courses.
We offer a variety of field trips and courses in the first, second and third years. BioSoc - our student society in the Biosciences - also arrange trips to zoos and aquariums from time to time. We also have several nature reserves close to campus and plenty of green spaces for wildlife. If you are lucky, you might spot an otter in a lake on campus. There is also the Yorkshire Museum in York.
That is correct, Biology students take six modules in the first year - three in each semester. That means students can choose four of their six modules in the second year. There is a broad set of modules from across the Biological Sciences to choose from. You would also be able to choose four modules in the third year. Again, this is from a broad set of modules from ecology to immunology. During the first year, we are here to help you make decisions about the modules you'll study in the second and third years.
We do a lot to make the transition to University seem less stressful. I teach in two modules in the first semester of the first year. In the Life on Earth module, students work together in their supervisory groups of 6 to 7 students. That means you quickly get to know other students in your course. Working in small groups also helps you to get to know the staff teaching the modules. We have weekly workshops where we'll chat with each group throughout the first semester.
I hope this information is both useful and helpful.

I hear you. It is an important question. We'd want you to have the information you need before making a decision.
I am Prof. Richard Waites from the Biology Department at the University of York. In Biology, I am the Director for Students. I am always happy to answer questions about our courses.
We offer a variety of field trips and courses in the first, second and third years. BioSoc - our student society in the Biosciences - also arrange trips to zoos and aquariums from time to time. We also have several nature reserves close to campus and plenty of green spaces for wildlife. If you are lucky, you might spot an otter in a lake on campus. There is also the Yorkshire Museum in York.
That is correct, Biology students take six modules in the first year - three in each semester. That means students can choose four of their six modules in the second year. There is a broad set of modules from across the Biological Sciences to choose from. You would also be able to choose four modules in the third year. Again, this is from a broad set of modules from ecology to immunology. During the first year, we are here to help you make decisions about the modules you'll study in the second and third years.
We do a lot to make the transition to University seem less stressful. I teach in two modules in the first semester of the first year. In the Life on Earth module, students work together in their supervisory groups of 6 to 7 students. That means you quickly get to know other students in your course. Working in small groups also helps you to get to know the staff teaching the modules. We have weekly workshops where we'll chat with each group throughout the first semester.
I hope this information is both useful and helpful.

I can answer this bit: it's the same amount of work at either, one is not more stressful than the other. It's just that Sheffield grants you more choice by the sounds of it. I'm picking a number: 4. Let's say you have to take 4 modules in each Semester (semester is half a year in uni speak). At York, you will probably be given 3 core modules to take, and you can choose your fourth from a short list. Edit: York have updated to confirm that you must take all 6 compulsory modules in first year with no additional choices. Interesting set up.

At Sheffield (from your research) it sounds like you will be given 1 core module to take and can choose 3 from a short list to take as optional modules. You do the 4 modules, then you do another 4 in the second half of the year and that's first year done. Same amount of work, but one offers greater choice (perhaps because it has a larger department? This is usually the reason).

First year at most unis for most courses will have more general content, then it gets more specialised into second year and by third year you are choosing far more of your modules.

Does that help?

so, if you were me, what would you opt for? sheffield because you get more choice from the get-go ?

I'm not going to answer that clearly I'm afraid.

Both are large, city universities, both have large biology departments:
- 340 (total) staff at York https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/people/ (including Richard at the bottom)
- 120 lecturers in Sheffield https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/2024/biological-sciences-bsc#department

Advice to you would be visit both on open days, get a feel for the campus, get a feel for the department and make a judgement based on what is more suited to you.

aw maan i'm terrible at decision making :'( but thank you very much lol

I hear you. It is an important question. We'd want you to have the information you need before making a decision.
I am Prof. Richard Waites from the Biology Department at the University of York. In Biology, I am the Director for Students. I am always happy to answer questions about our courses.
We offer a variety of field trips and courses in the first, second and third years. BioSoc - our student society in the Biosciences - also arrange trips to zoos and aquariums from time to time. We also have several nature reserves close to campus and plenty of green spaces for wildlife. If you are lucky, you might spot an otter in a lake on campus. There is also the Yorkshire Museum in York.
That is correct, Biology students take six modules in the first year - three in each semester. That means students can choose four of their six modules in the second year. There is a broad set of modules from across the Biological Sciences to choose from. You would also be able to choose four modules in the third year. Again, this is from a broad set of modules from ecology to immunology. During the first year, we are here to help you make decisions about the modules you'll study in the second and third years.
We do a lot to make the transition to University seem less stressful. I teach in two modules in the first semester of the first year. In the Life on Earth module, students work together in their supervisory groups of 6 to 7 students. That means you quickly get to know other students in your course. Working in small groups also helps you to get to know the staff teaching the modules. We have weekly workshops where we'll chat with each group throughout the first semester.
I hope this information is both useful and helpful.

Although just need to figure out if I can still apply for accommodation without having firmed just yet, it doesn't say anywhere.

I realize I read everything a while ago but somehow forgot to thank you apparently, so just wanted to say thank you for the response and I'm actually now planning on firming York . Although just need to figure out if I can still apply for accommodation without having firmed just yet, it doesn't say anywhere.