MSci (Hons) Natural Sciences specialising in Biology, Chemistry or Physics

Learning by design

Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.

Students who complete this course will be able to:

Biology specialism

• Provide systematic explanations that demonstrate a deep understanding of key biological principles, concepts and theories taken from the origin, evolution, structure, function and development of living organisms through critical evaluations of the scientific literature at the forefront of Biological research.
• Formulate hypotheses, design and execute experiments for the collection, analysis and modelling of experimental biological data, primarily for testing current understanding of biological systems, to produce figures, graphs and tables explained in comprehensive research reports. Use such skills across disciplines.
• Identify and critically evaluate state-of-the-art experimental, analytical, and quantitative techniques and methods by engaging with practical training in laboratories, providing detailed explanations of how these approaches can be used to tackle the major global challenges in Biology of the 21st century.
• Work effectively as an individual, a team member or leader in collaborative groups, by applying logical and critical thinking and reflection to develop creative and innovative solutions to complex problems in biological research, and proactively develop and implement safe, ethical, sustainable, and socially responsible solutions that would benefit humankind.
• Communicate and interpret complex information with confidence, clarity and precision through critical reviews in written, oral and other explanations, questioning dogma and thoroughly evaluating the impact of biological research in real-world and global issues, for expert, professional, business, industrial and/or lay audiences.
• Demonstrate self-direction, originality, creativity, and a critical understanding of cutting-edge practice and technology in biological research, and apply numerical, quantitative, and computer-based transferable skills to a range of working environments including laboratories, fieldwork, education, industry, business, health services, policy, government, and media.
• Exploit the synergies between biological science and other science-based disciplines by using the principles, themes, concepts and methodologies of Biology as appropriate to a Natural Scientist.
• Specialise in research topics through in-depth critique of the literature, acquisition of advanced data analysis skills, sustained independent investigation of a research question, developing interdisciplinary research proposals to solve global challenges, and reflecting on their own and other's research processes and approaches.

Chemistry specialism

• Demonstrate learning and problem-solving skills through the acquisition and application of a broad range of fundamental and advanced chemical principles and knowledge as appropriate to the interdisciplinary ethos of a Natural Scientist.
• Apply fundamental and advanced chemical scientific principles and knowledge with a strong emphasis on chemistry to the in-depth study of chemical science specialisms and the solution of problems at the forefront of the science and chemistry in particular.
• Design and safely conduct chemical experiments. Accurately document and record experiments to enable the effective synthesis of complex chemical compounds and advanced analysis of physical measurements, of both a quantitative and qualitative nature.
• Interpret experimental data by using mathematical skills, advanced scientific knowledge, information technology and scientific conventions.
• Effectively articulate scientific principles, experimental results and research findings in a way that is accessible to a variety of audiences through written, oral and other formats.
• Independently plan, design, and conduct an extended, open-ended investigative research project to extend knowledge and understanding at the forefront of the chemical sciences.
• Demonstrate employability skills such as team working, commercial awareness, self-management and creativity and be equipped to work in a professional manner in their future careers consistent with the expectations of a research chemist in academic, governmental or commercial positions.
• Use advanced chemistry-based principles, themes, concepts and methodologies as appropriate to a Natural Scientist with a view to exploit the synergies between expert level chemistry skill sets and other science-based disciplines all underpinned by experience and exposure to different scientific disciplines.

Physics specialism

• Apply independent learning strategies that incorporate core and advanced physics, mathematics and/or computational knowledge, techniques and understanding to synthesise and evaluate real-world problems that require expertise in physics.
• Plan and execute an extended or complex scientific investigation using the principles of physics in investigating a hypothesis, and interpret outcomes in physical problems.
• Work independently and within a research team and apply group-specific research methodologies, including objective analysis and constructive criticism of research level literature, to extended or complex open-ended problems.
• Communicate succinctly to the general public, scientists and professional physicists through accurate and precise scientific record keeping, scientific report writing and presentations.
• Select and apply sophisticated digital tools for in-depth scientific investigation and in wider societal applications
• Use advanced physics principles, themes, concepts and methodologies as appropriate to a Natural Scientist with an understanding of the possibilities that exist to exploit the synergies between physics and other science-based disciplines as underpinned by experience and exposure to different scientific disciplines.