Research-led teaching at School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex

The School of Life Sciences at the University of Sussex sees research as the path to progression. Findings here are internationally-acclaimed – in fact, in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2014), 87 percent of the School’s research in biological sciences was rated internationally-excellent or higher, while 48 percent was rated as world-leading.

Meanwhile, in the Times Higher Education Table of Tables 2018, the University ranked firmly within the UK top 20.

Speaking of international excellence, this School collaborates with global organisations, engaging with problems in fields as varied as cancer biology, drug discovery, neuroscience and biodiversity, enabling synergistic collaboration across subject boundaries.

When exploring your options for undergraduate or postgraduate studies in the Life Sciences, this cutting-edge school should be at the top of your list.

Source: University of Sussex

If you’re deciding on your path through higher education, the School of Life Sciences offers the following diverse and research-led undergraduate courses:

• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Biomedical Science
• Chemistry
• Ecology Conservation and Environment
• Foundation Year (Biosciences)
• Genetics
• Neuroscience
• Pharmacy
• Zoology

Many undergraduate programmes here offer the chance to study abroad or pursue a placement year, through which you’ll gain insight into the research of a leading university in another country, or have the chance to gain crucial workplace experience to support your post-graduation job hunt.

The School also offers exciting opportunities to take your studies to the next level, offering the following postgraduate courses:

• Genetic Manipulation and Molecular Cell Biology MSc
• Cancer Cell Biology MSc
• Neuroscience MSc
• Global Biodiversity Conservation MSc
• Animal Behaviour MRes
• Conservation Biology MRes
• Evolutionary Biology MRes
• Neuroscience MRes

You may even find yourself eligible for student loans and funding through the university’s international scholarships, PhD studentships or its flagship scheme for first-generation students. This institution’s dedication to easing students’ financial burden is one of its major perks.

Source: University of Sussex

The University of Sussex has long been at the forefront of life sciences research. Professor Dave Goulson, for example, was part of the team that brought the reality of the catastrophic loss of flying insects to light. This issue has been called ‘impending ecological Armageddon’, since the population of flying insects has plunged by three-quarters over the last thirty years, which has serious implications for life here on Earth.

The story made headlines all over the world, and Professor Goulson’s study was named the sixth-most publicised journal article in the world and the most discussed in the UK in 2017. Politicians took note, too; Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, cited the university’s research as a key reason for the UK’s support of a recent ban on neonicotinoids – a type of pesticide – by the EU.

The School has also made great advancements in the field of medicine and genetics. Take Professor Louise Serpell’s work as Alzheimer’s as a prime example. By gaining a detailed understanding of how this devastating disease develops at a molecular level, Serpell has helped us get one giant step closer to developing effective Alzheimer’s treatment.

A collaborative research team, led by Professor Serpell, is experimenting with a range of cutting-edge approaches to determine the molecular changes that happen in the brain as Alzheimer’s progresses. For this, they focus on two proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease: Amyloid Beta and Tau.

By investigating these proteins and gaining a thorough understanding of the cause, the Serpell group can uncover specific targets that will assist in the design of appropriate drugs that could potentially combat the disease. By understanding the biological principles behind Alzheimer’s, research can now be directed towards much-needed therapies.

Dr Mahmoud Maina is a great role model; as well as his valuable research, Mahmoud is passionate about increasing the public understanding of science, and works to inspire the next generation of African scientists. He founded the outreach programme for @TReNDinAfrica, an education NGO that runs a wide range of education activities and supports the creation of top-level scientific facilities across the continent. Working with scientists from 10 African countries he has organised science outreach programmes that have reached thousands of African citizens, including students, teachers and government officials.

Source: University of Sussex

The interdisciplinary and collaborative Life Sciences faculty has close links with organisations such as The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Cancer Research UK and the Wellcome Trust. This means that if you choose Sussex, you’ll study topics based on the latest research findings, from biodiversity to cell regulation and cancer. This type of ground-breaking collaborative research influences and shapes teaching so you’ll always be at the forefront of the field.

The University of Sussex is located at Falmer on the outskirts of Brighton. It is just nine minutes from Brighton, one of the top-10 city beach destinations in the world (Lonely Planet) and an hour away from Central London by train and 30 minutes from London Gatwick, one of the UK’s major international airports.

Outside of the discipline, student life here looks good, too. Brighton was ranked England’s happiest student city in a survey by Student Living by Sodexo, with 93 percent of University of Sussex and University of Brighton students surveyed saying they were ‘very happy’ with their education and city life.

Choosing the University of Sussex will also strengthen your job prospects, since 96 percent of Sussex Life Science graduates find work or further study six months after graduating (HESA EPI, Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education 2017). Furthermore, courses such as Ecology Conservation and Environment rank 4^th in the UK for graduate prospects in the Complete University Guide 2019.

Don’t pass up the opportunity to take your studies to the next level. To stand at the forefront of research into your Life Sciences field, choose the School of Life Sciences at the University of Sussex.

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