Biological Sciences at Edinburgh uni?

Hey i'm a first year biosci student so have only done a semester but i can tell you a bit about that! workload is fine, we have 9 lectures a week (3 for each module) in 1st semester most people take 3 core modules, one which is broad biology, one chemistry and one mathsy/physicsy in the context of biology with a bit of neuroscience in there too (ikr?). for the biology module we had 1 practical a week (3 hrs) and one tutorial every 2 weeks. for the chemistry module a 3hr lab every 2 weeks and one tutorial a week and for the mathsy one a tutorial every other week and about 4 labs over the semester.
in broad, the course is biological sciences for 2 years, and in 3rd year you start to tailor your modules toward a specialism and then 4th year solely your specialism is done, so although you say you're doing molecular genetics (i think?) you're actually not really for another couple of years, and although this is good because it's flexible and you've not got to specialise too early, it's something i didn't properly know before coming here and it may affect your decision..
hope this helps and quote me if you have any questions

Heyy thanks for your answer!
Just a couple of questions :P
For the module are there different options? I don't mind maths but its not my strongest subject :P
What are the lecturers like?
You'll be mostly in the kings buildings right? Do you find it ok being further away from the main area or is it a bit annoying?

Ok, more than a couple, but yeah :P

Hi I have an unconditional for biological sciences (molecular genetics) at Edinburgh but I'm not sure if its my first choice. The course looks great in the prospectus but I found the open day really dull and not informative at all :/
Has anyone done this course and wants to share their experiences? What are the facilities like, the workload, the teaching, how is the course structured, it is interesting and enjoyable etc ???

Any advice or information would be really appreciated. I've looked up statistics and stuff online but I want to hear real people's opinions, y'know?


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I am a fourth year student at Edinburgh uni doing Molecular genetics. I love it. In the earlier years you have fewer courses to choose from, but in 1st 2nd and 3rd year you take 3 courses each semester. I will tell you about 4th year even though you didn't ask because I'm feeling alturistic.

In 4th year semester 1 you take 4 ten credit courses, you will have exams on these in December. Semester 2 you take another 10 credit course and work 6 weeks part time in a lab then 8 weeks full time. I can't wait to get into the lab. You write your project on your work you complete in that time. We have our dissertation title set for us at the beginning of semester, and is due at the end of January.
You tend to generally mix with the cell bio, molecular bio and genetics honours students. In week 2 of 4th year you go on a field trip to Firbush outdoor activity centre. It's so fun! really nice to get to know your year group even better. (They should do it in 1st year really I think)
1st year is a bit of a doss if you did maths/sciences at A level or highers level. Looking back I should probably have gone into 2nd year directly, but I don't regret it because it's is a time for finding your feet, enjoying Edinburgh and student life in general. Work hard from the beginning and start thinking about careers prospects sooner rather than later. Get involved in societies, build up your CV and consider a summer studentship in the summer of your 3rd year if you are considering advancing to say do a PhD after graduation.

Workload steadily increases, 1st year for me was about the same if not slightly easier than last year at school, ( I took maths, bio, chem and physics to A-level and worked pretty hard)

ps edinburgh is a fab city. I've fallen in love with it and the people. Sorry this message is a little sporadic - I'm on the phone.