Biology with Science & Society

Biology with science and society is a degree that takes the life sciences seriously as both a scientific discipline and a social force, recognising that what biology discovers does not happen in a vacuum but shapes and is shaped by the cultural, ethical and political contexts in which it is practised. Standard biology degrees rightly focus on the science itself: genetics, cell biology, ecology, evolution, physiology. This degree adds a sustained engagement with the humanities and social sciences, exploring how biological knowledge is produced, communicated and applied, what its consequences are for society, and how different communities and interests engage with it.

At the University of Manchester, this four-year programme includes a foundation year, providing supported entry into this distinctive combination before you progress to the main degree. You will study the core biological sciences, including genetics, molecular biology, ecology and evolution, alongside modules drawing on history and philosophy of science, sociology, ethics and science communication. The degree develops your ability to think rigorously both within biology and about biology, engaging with questions about how scientific knowledge is made, validated and contested, how it intersects with public debate and policy, and what responsibilities scientists have to the societies they work within.

This combination is particularly valuable in a world where biological discoveries about genomics, evolution, ecology and health have immediate and often contested implications for society, and where scientists who can communicate across the boundary between science and the public are increasingly important.

Graduates go on to careers in science communication, journalism, policy, public engagement, research management, education, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and healthcare. Further study in biology, history and philosophy of science, bioethics, science communication or related fields is also common.