Veterinary Biosciences Queen's University Belfast

Overview

This Veterinary Biosciences degree from  Queen's University Belfast is designed for students passionate about understanding the biological and physiological processes that underpin animal health and veterinary medicine and how this knowledge can be applied to improve animal health and welfare, public health, and biomedical research.Through a combination of lectures, laboratory work, field studies, and research projects students will explore key areas such as animal physiology, immunology, infectious diseases, genetics, pharmacology, and comparative pathology. The curriculum integrates both theoretical foundations and practical skills, enabling students to investigate the mechanisms of disease, the science of diagnostics, and the principles behind disease prevention and treatment in animals.

Students will learn from experts in veterinary medicine, molecular biology, animal welfare, parasitology and biotechnology, gaining hands-on experience with modern research techniques, diagnostic tools, and ethical frameworks that guide veterinary and biomedical science. There is also a strong emphasis on the One Health approach, recognising the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health and the conservation challenges met in the modern world. The societal impact of animals will also be examined.

Careers

Graduates are qualified to take up both scientific and non-scientific careers. These positions encompass areas of innovative research and development of new products, advisory and consultancy work, particularly in companies or organisations concerned with animal, public and plant health, environmental management, pharmaceutical products and biotechnology.Graduates pursue careers in teaching, nature conservation and laboratory-based posts in biomedical, industrial, pharmaceutical, academic and government institutions as well as in universities and colleges of higher education. The remainder undertake further training in areas such as computing, administration and management or medicine (human or veterinary), developing their skills from a sound scientific background. Further training also helps them to find employment in a variety of non-biological careers, including public service administration, industrial management, banking, accountancy and computing. Employment in these areas is critical to address current global issues including climate change, food security, and sustainability, biodiversity loss, antibiotic resistance, emerging zoonotic diseases and global health issues.