Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Natural Sciences with Placement Year

at University of Bath United Kingdom

Gain sought-after skills in applied mathematics, programming, statistics and data analysis.

This course is for you if you have an analytical mind, enjoy visualizing and interpreting data and thrive on a challenge. You'll learn how to use your mathematical skills to formulate problems and discover patterns, and apply these techniques to analyse data from many different sectors.

Computing is an essential tool in data science and you'll develop strong programming skills with the ability to implement mathematical algorithms on large data sets. You’ll learn how data science is used in a wide range of industries and gain an understanding of machine learning and artificial intelligence at the cutting-edge of data science.

Year abroad

Broaden your horizons with a year studying at a university abroad. You’ll experience another culture whilst studying a course that complements your studies at Bath.

We have links with universities in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and Europe. This includes Binghamton University, National University Singapore, University of Canterbury, Stellenbosch University and the University of Helsinki.

Vital in addressing global health and environmental challenges, biochemistry explores the chemical processes of living organisms at a molecular level.

Combine your interests in biology and chemistry by applying chemical knowledge and techniques to study biological processes. You’ll learn what’s happening inside cells, how they communicate with each other, and use this to predict how molecules will interact.

Tailor to your interests

In year one you’ll gain a broad grounding in biosciences to help work out where your interests lie. Then from year two, you'll choose optional units in specific areas, such as developmental biology, genomics, neuroscience, cancer biology and microbiology.

And to keep your options open further, you'll even have the flexibility to switch between our biology and biochemistry courses after the first year.

Placement Year

You may gain a competitive edge in the graduate job market by taking a placement year. You’ll work full-time in a role that might be undertaken by a graduate, where you’ll broaden your experience and transferable skills.

There are a wide range of opportunities, from working in marketing for a pharmaceutical company to a lab-based role at a research institute. We have links with some of industry's leading companies. Recent employers include Lilly, Field Studies Council, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Oxford Gene Technology, AstraZeneca, Genesys and LifeArc.

Become an innovative computing professional with the skills needed for a career in the fast-growing field of AI.

This course is for you if you’re keen to learn about current Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, specialising in this field from the start of your degree whilst still gaining a broad grounding in computer science. AI is becoming an ever more important part of a wide range of sectors from medicine to marketing, so this course will help prepare you for continued demand in the job market.

You'll gain the skills and knowledge to apply the latest AI technologies and methods to a wide range of problems, studying topics such as machine learning, algorithms and complexity, and visual computing.

Tailor to your interests

In the first year, you’ll learn the basics of computer science, including mathematics and programming skills, along with an introduction to the theory and practice of AI. In the second year, you’ll continue to develop your AI skills, with a focus on machine learning. In the final year, you’ll choose optional units alongside an individual project in a specific area of AI. You can specialise in areas such as robotics, natural language processing, intelligent agents or computer vision. You’ll regularly meet with an academic who’s an expert in your chosen field.

Year abroad

Broaden your horizons with a year studying at a university abroad. You’ll experience another culture while studying a course that complements your studies at Bath.

We have links with universities in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe, currently including Binghamton University, University of Nebraska, University of Canterbury, TU Vienna and National University Singapore.

Develop your knowledge of biomechanics, physiology and psychology. You will understand how humans function in sport, physical activity and health environments.

This degree has three core strands running throughout the course:

• Biomechanics will explore how humans create and control movement including athletes’ technique
• Physiology will cover the structure, function, regulation and performance of bodily systems
• Psychology will examine the role of thoughts, feelings and behaviours in sport and exercise settings

Through these core disciplines you'll apply your knowledge to sports performance and exercise participation and understand the relevance of sport and exercise science to current practice.

Use specialist facilities

As a student on one of our sport, exercise and health courses you'll have access to facilities that support your learning, including laboratories with specialist equipment and the latest technology, including:

• Applied Biomechanics Laboratory
• Applied Physiology Laboratory
• Biochemistry Laboratory
• Metabolic Research Laboratory
• A dedicated movement analysis suite

Specialise in vehicle design, performance, analysis and systems. Develop the engineering skills for a career in automotive and motorsport industries.

Our course is for engineers who want to apply fundamental mechanical engineering knowledge to the challenges of the automotive industry including areas such as cost, emissions, performance and materials.

Your first two years of study introduce you to the foundations of mechanical engineering. Using physical science, mathematics and computing, you'll learn how to assess engineering systems. You’ll study vehicle design, manufacturing processes and component analysis in the context of the automotive market. A range of specialist units in your final year allows you to choose where you want to advance your knowledge.

Studying an MEng degree gives you an in-depth study experience through advanced taught units and project work, and it fulfils the educational requirements you need to become a Chartered Engineer.

Develop a deep understanding of the fundamental principles of physics, expand your knowledge with flexible options and get involved in our high-level research.

This is our broadest physics degree and gives you the opportunity to explore a wide range of areas in physics, from the nanoscale to the most energetic processes in the Universe.

As well as gaining a deep knowledge and understanding of physics, you’ll graduate with strong experimental, mathematical and computational expertise. You’ll gain powerful problem-solving, analytical and critical thinking skills, preparing you for careers in physics and many other fields as well.

Placement Year

As an MPhys student, you can choose to undertake a research placement in the final year of the course. You’ll spend six months (July to December) working in a research organisation of international standing, before returning to the University for the final semester. We have links with leading research organisations, including CERN, NTT Basic Research Laboratories (Japan), European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (France) and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.

Develop skills in mathematics and theoretical computer science, preparing you for roles involving computational analysis, modelling and simulation.

This joint degree is for you if you enjoy and excel at computing and want to combine that with a very strong interest in mathematics.

By combining our computer science degree with pure mathematics, probability and statistics, you’ll be prepared for careers in data science relying on a combination of mathematical and computational modelling.

Tailor to your interests

In the first two years, you’ll study a mix of mathematics and computing units, including computational approaches to finding patterns in data. You'll also share lectures with Mathematical Sciences students to study fundamental algebra and mathematical analysis. In the final year, you can choose to specialise in areas of numerical computer science and mathematics.

Computer scientists with good mathematical knowledge are in great demand worldwide. On graduation, you can apply what you’ve learnt to roles in software development relying on a combination of mathematical and computational modelling, such as data analysis and forecasting.

Placement Year

Going on placement gives you the opportunity to apply your skills and knowledge during a year working in industry. You’ll be employed full-time in a role to match your future career ambitions, broadening your experience and transferable skills. This could give you a competitive edge when applying for graduate jobs.

We have links with some of the industry’s leading companies. Recent placement employers include Accenture, Imagination Technologies, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft and Google.

Learn how engineering, manufacturing and management work together in industry. Gain expertise in product creation processes from design to end manufacture.

Our course develops your understanding of the sciences and disciplines relating to manufacturing. You’ll study engineering, manufacturing and management to understand their role in production processes.

We draw on our links with industry to build your knowledge of the integrated systems, processes and technologies used in advanced manufacturing. Learning about the latest engineering developments will inspire you to explore ways to produce high quality products at a low cost.

Your first two years give you a grounding in core mechanical engineering principles. You'll combine this with physical science, mathematics and computing to analyse engineering systems.

The modern world needs thoughtful, politically-conscious, questioning economists. Become a professional who understands how economics and politics intertwine.

In this course, you’ll examine the challenges facing individuals, countries and the international community. You will develop an understanding of government and society through core concepts such as power, justice, conflict, accountability, obligation, sovereignty and decision making. You will develop strong analytical skills which will aid your understanding of the institutional, UK and global context within which economic decisions and policy formation takes place.

In your first year you'll study key concepts in microeconomic and macroeconomic theory. You'll explore political theory and analysis, introducing central subjects such as power and the state, democracy and the climate crisis.

In your second year you'll continue with more advanced study of political and economic theory. You'll study the exercise of power in societies and economies through an engagement with themes such as democratic theory, populist and nationalist politics, and the politics of race and gender.

In your final year you'll explore your interests through a range of optional units in both economics and politics.

By the end of the course, you will have an appreciation of the interface between economics and political science.

Placement Year

Taking a placement in your third year enables you to use the theory you have learned in a practical context. You will learn about an organisation and its area of work in the UK or overseas. This is an excellent opportunity to test potential career paths. Sometimes permanent jobs are offered to our students. You’ll develop skills such as teamwork, planning, problem-solving, decision making and project management.

Employers value a year of professional work and you’ll gain an advantage in the job market. Sometimes it is possible for you to acquire additional professional qualifications, particularly in accountancy, whilst on placement.

Placement opportunities can’t be guaranteed but you will receive tailored support from our specialist team to help you secure a placement.

Year abroad

On this course you'll combine a work placement with studying at a university overseas. Broaden your horizons and experience another culture whilst studying a course that complements your studies at Bath.

Study abroad locations include the National University of Singapore and Stellenbosch University (South Africa), as well as others. We seek to further expand on these. Study abroad opportunities are limited and are subject to availability at our partner institutions.

Develop core knowledge of systems engineering across both mechanical and electrical engineering to boost your career prospects in industry.

Our course gives you a unique chance to balance an understanding of mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering sciences with a focus on systems engineering. You’ll develop a comprehensive knowledge of mechanics, materials, electrical and electronic systems and circuits. And you’ll explore the theory and practice of the latest mechanical and electrical technologies.

Being able to apply what you’ve learnt is an important part of your study at Bath. You’ll use theory in coordinated projects and laboratory work where you’ll design and develop products and systems.

Placement Year

Going on placement gives you the chance to apply your theoretical knowledge to the workplace and learn about the technologies and processes used in industry. You’ll develop your skills in a professional environment and learn about sophisticated engineering systems. Having professional experience can benefit the rest of your degree as well as improve your career prospects. It can also be an opportunity to earn a salary during your degree.

Our students have worked at companies including OC Robotics, Renishaw, BAE Systems and Jaguar Land Rover.