UBSCHBIO-2024-5-O - L-Università ta' Malta

Course Title

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biology

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

3 Years

180 ECTS

Mode of Study

Full-time

Information for International applicants

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

An Advanced Level pass at Grade C or better in Biology and an Intermediate Level pass at Grade C or better in Chemistry.

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The B.Sc.(Hons) focuses on a single area with a duration of three years. Students write a research-based dissertation or project in the final stages of their studies.

Applications for our February and October intakes have been officially open since the third week in November. You can submit your application online. The deadlines for submission of applications vary according to the intake and courses. We encourage all international applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. This is especially important if you require a visa to travel and eventually stay in Malta.

You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage. Access more information about our admission process and English language requirements.

The University of Malta has student accommodation on campus called Campus Hub. Campus Hub is just a 2-minute walk from the main campus. For more information, visit the accommodation website.

Our dedicated team at the student recruitment office is here to support you every step of the way. From the moment you start your application to the moment when you receive your decision letter, we're here to assist you. If you have any questions or need further information, don't hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us at info@um.edu.mt, and our team will be more than happy to help.

After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, accommodation and other related issues.

The BSc (Hons) degree in Biology has been tailored to equip you with the necessary knowledge and training in the various areas of the biological sciences, and ensures coverage of the latest and most essential knowledge of biology at tertiary level that are in line with international undergraduate degrees. Apart from core subjects such as biochemistry, cell biology, ecology, ethology and evolution, plant and animal biology, diversity of plants and animals, conservation biology, plant and animal biology, and animal form and function, the three year course also covers a broad diversity of other subject areas including field biology, research methods for the biological sciences, marine biology, microbiology, parasitology and immunology, bioinformatics and genomics, biotechnology, and aquaculture and fisheries biology. The programme of studies is also designed to provide eventual graduates in biology with the opportunity to take up a research programme within one of these subject areas at M.Sc. level.

Communication and Academic Skills Programme

The communication and academic skills programme complements students’ main course of study. It introduces them to writing and presenting as situated within academic contexts sensitive to specific disciplines and develops their competences for future careers.

Students following the BSc (Hons) Biology programme of studies are required to take a number of study-units other than in biology. Such study-units are designed to provide additional skills and knowledge required within the training of a general biologist.

Most study-units in Biology take the form of a number of lectures (sometimes supplemented by seminars) as well as practical laboratory or field work. The practical work component is considered as essential.

Students are informed that regular lecture attendance is obligatory. A grade may be awarded to a particular study-unit only if the student’s attendance to lectures and practical sessions has been regular, and all other course requirements as indicated in the detailed study-unit descriptions have been satisfied.

In addition to the compulsory study-units, students are required to choose one study-unit to the value of 2 ECTS credits from the elective study-units on offer during the year.


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

BIO1010	Cellular and Biochemical Basis of Life	5 ECTS	(NC)
BIO1020	Diversity of Life: Animals	5 ECTS	(NC)
BIO1041	Laboratory Techniques and Reporting in Biology	4 ECTS
BIO1500	Introductory Applied Biology	2 ECTS
BIO2040	Ecology and Ethology 1	8 ECTS	(NC)
BIO2070	Biochemical Strategies of Life	5 ECTS	(NC)
GSC1000	Introduction to Earth Science	2 ECTS
SOR0210	Data Treatment and Probability	2 ECTS

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

GSC1200	Introduction to Physical Oceanography	2 ECTS
GSC1300	Introduction to Science of the Atmosphere	2 ECTS


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

BIO1030	Diversity of Life: Non-Animals	5 ECTS	(NC)
BIO1070	Perspectives and Research Methods in Biology	2 ECTS
BIO1080	Microbial Diversity	5 ECTS	(NC)
BIO1090	Introduction to Conservation Biology	2 ECTS
BIO2020	Plant Biology	7 ECTS	(NC)
CHE1015	Environmental Chemistry for Scientists	4 ECTS

Requirement for regular progression to Year 2: 60 ECTS credits


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

BIO2500	Design of Biological Investigations	4 ECTS	(NC)
BIO2520	Bioinformatics and Genomics	4 ECTS
BIO2530	Ecology and Ethology 2	3 ECTS
BIO3022	Parasitology	2 ECTS
BIO3060*	Field Biology - Coastal and Marine Habitats	4 ECTS	(NC)
BIO3080	Introduction to agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and other biological Resources	4 ECTS	(NC)
BIO3130	Genetics and Developmental Biology	6 ECTS	(NC)
* Study-unit BIO3060 is an intensive study-unit held over seven consecutive working days which is scheduled for mid-September, prior to the beginning of the academic year (i.e. prior to the start of Semester 1 for continuing students).

Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

BIO2030	Animal Form and Function 1	6 ECTS	(NC)
BIO2510	Field Biology - Terrestrial Habitats	4 ECTS	(NC)
BIO3023	Microbiology and Immunology	5 ECTS	(NC)
BIO3030	Evolution, Phylogeny and Adaptation	4 ECTS	(NC)
BIO3040	Biotechnology 1	6 ECTS	(NC)
BIO3070	Studies in Conservation Biology	4 ECTS	(NC)
BIO3100	Marine Biology	4 ECTS

Requirement for regular progression to Year 3: 60 ECTS credits


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

BIO3110	Final Year Project in Biology	18 ECTS	(NC)
SCI3502	Professional and Technical Skills for Scientists	6 ECTS


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

BIO3050	Animal Form and Function 2	5 ECTS
BIO3090	Environmental Applications, Informatics and Management	4 ECTS
BIO3300	Biotechnology 2	6 ECTS	(NC)
SCI3501	Academic Writing and Statistical Techniques for Scientific Research	4 ECTS


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

BIO3510	Conservation Genetics	2 ECTS
BIO3520	Natural History of the Maltese Islands	4 ECTS	(NC)
BIO3530	Environmental Pollution	4 ECTS	(NC)
BIO3550	Plant Systematics	4 ECTS
BIO3560	Management of Biological Resources	3 ECTS

Requirement for successful completion of Year 3: 60 ECTS creditsRequirement for the award of B.Sc.(Hons) in Biology: 180 ECTS credits

This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Undergraduate Awards, 2019 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of Bachelor of Science – B.Sc. - and Bachelor of Science (Honours) – B.Sc.(Hons) - under the auspices of the Faculty of Science.

On completing the programme of studies, you will be able to identify and explain the main concepts and principles underlying:

biological features and processes, at the organism and sub-organism (organ, tissue, cell, and molecular) levels;
the evolution and adaptations of species, and of their intra- and inter-specific interactions, and their interactions with the environment;
the exploitation, and management of biological resources;
techniques, procedures and tools used in biotechnology, as well as in other areas of applied biology;
biodiversity and its importance, as well as measures to conserve it; and
techniques, procedures and tools used in the study of environmental biology.

Non EU Applicants:

Fee per academic year: Eur 10,800

You are viewing the fees for non EU nationals. Switch to EU nationals if you are a national of any country from within the EU/EEA.

As a holder of this degree, you will be able to further your studies locally or abroad by reading for a postgraduate degree at M.Sc. and PhD level. In this respect, you will eventually also have the opportunity to further your studies at postgraduate (M.Sc. and PhD) level within the same department (Department of Biology at the University of Malta).

The opportunities for employment are numerous, given the availability of both long-standing careers such as ones involving teaching and laboratory work, as well as of new career opportunities such as those within the field of applied biotechnology in industry and research, and of environmental biology in research, planning, management and monitoring of living resources and the environment. Potential employers in Malta include industry (in particular, ones dealing with biotechnology and pharmacology), the aquaculture sector, private environmental consultancies, and governmental entities and authorities, such as the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department of the Ministry for Sustainable Development, the Environmental and Climate Change.

Every effort has been made to provide information that is current and accurate. However, as the content is being constantly updated, users are advised to verify the details contained in these web pages with the relevant University office or authority before making decisions based on the published information.