For many students a Higher National Diploma (HND) best suits their aptitudes and career goals. A key feature of this course is its seamless integration into the BSc Bioscience courses to provide easy transfer for students of appropriate aptitude.

The study of Applied Biology will develop your knowledge of biology for practical purposes. It will provide you with a grounding in biological principles with the opportunity to choose an option in your second year.

Our HND scheme is therefore taught in common with our degree courses, although you may have separate tutorial and practical classes. Transfer to the BSc Bioscience course of your choice may be offered if you show that you can study at degree level. Your second year of the HND programme is designed to provide a coherent course of study for technicians in the bioscience industries.

It is, however, the usual outcome that successful students progress to the Bioscience degree programme and perform comparably to direct BSc entrants.

Course modules

Year 1

• Scientific skills (double module)
• (Bio) molecules (double module)
• Physiology and nutrition (double module)
• Biological principles (double module)

Year 2

Compulsory

• Work placement (single module)
• Project (double module)
• Analytical techniques (double module)
• Biology in industry (single module)
• Option

Plus one optional module from:

• Human evolution, physiology and behaviour (double module)
• Public health (double module)
• Metabolism and molecular microbiology (double module)
• Biological identification and analysis (double module)

Employability and academic progression

This course will give you a firm grounding in the basic knowledge, techniques and practice of biological analysis needed for you to seek employment in a modern biological laboratory, typically as a laboratory technician.

The bioscience industries are rapidly expanding, creating new opportunities in many areas such as: public health; pharmaceuticals; medical diagnostics; pathology; healthcare; food production; and environmental issues.

The course will enable you to develop a wide range of employability skills through the emphasis on a vocational approach to teaching.

If you complete this course, you will be able to apply for further study at undergraduate level.

You may also be able to transfer onto our BSc (Hons) Bioscience course at the end of Year 1 if you show that you can study at degree level.

LSBU is committed to supporting you develop your employability and succeed in getting a job after you have graduated. Your qualification will certainly help, but in a competitive market you also need to work on your employability, and on your career search. Our Employability Service will support you in developing your skills, finding a job, interview techniques, work experience or an internship, and will help you assess what you need to do to get the job you want at the end of your course. LSBU offers a comprehensive Employability Service, with a range of initiatives to complement your studies, including:

• direct engagement from employers who come in to interview and talk to students
• Job Shop and on-campus recruitment agencies to help your job search
• mentoring and work shadowing schemes.