Stemming the flow of drugs into prisons
A multi-disciplinary team from Bath is developing the world's first portable device that detects synthetic drugs.
Department of Life Sciences
The new department aims to deliver excellence in research and teaching across the spectrum of Life Sciences.
A new Life Sciences Department for Bath
A brand new department offering a range of Biosciences and Biomedical degrees, including accredited Pharmacy degrees.
Our cutting-edge multi-disciplinary research spans human health to environmental sustainability and utilises bioengineering technologies and big data approaches.
Find out more about the creation of the new Department
Research with Impact
Our research is helping to change the world for the better. We work in partnership to help create a healthier, more sustainable and connected future for us all.
Our research
Our research spans a diverse range of areas, from drug discovery science and healthcare, to evolutionary biology and biodiversity.
Biotechnology
Advancing knowledge and delivering products and solutions with medical, industrial and agricultural impact, via study and use of molecules, cells and organisms.
Cells, development and disease
Understanding the molecular and genomic processes regulating cell function in development, health and disease.
Evolution and biodiversity
Applying evolutionary concepts to fundamental questions in biology with a drive to address real world challenges through research, education, and outreach.
Diagnostics, Medicines and Patients
Optimising patient and population health outcomes through translational research.
Microbiology, infection, inflammation and immunity
Understanding the role of microbes, and the host response to them, in health and disease.
Undergraduate study
Find out about our undergraduate courses.
Undergraduate pharmacy courses
Train as a healthcare professional in all aspects of medicines use and design.
Choosing between Pharmacy and Pharmacology
Start your career at the forefront of modern healthcare.
Undergraduate pharmacology courses
Play a vital role in the discovery, development and testing of therapeutic agents to improve global health.
Undergraduate biosciences courses
Learn more about our Biology, Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences courses, including entry requirements and course structure.
Postgraduate study
Find out about our master's courses, PhD degrees, and taught postgraduate courses for practising pharmacists.
Master's courses in Life Sciences
We offer a range of master's courses including molecular biosciences, biotechnology and drug discovery.
Clinical pharmacy postgraduate courses, including Prescribing
Part-time, practice-based learning for UK practising pharmacists at all career stages.
Postgraduate research degrees in Life Sciences
Find out about our PhD degrees, funding opportunities and how to apply.
People, equality and diversity
We are firmly committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome a diverse population of both students and staff.
People in the Department of Life Sciences
Find a member of staff in the department.
Equality, diversity and inclusion in the Department of Life Sciences
The Department is firmly committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.
Latest news
Read about the latest research news and press releases from the Department.
Portable device instantly detects illegal drugs with 95% accuracy
An ultraportable, low-cost device invented by researchers at the University of Bath proves highly successful at detecting the street drug Spice.
Nature’s great survivors: Flowering plants survived the mass extinction that killed the dinosaurs
New Milner Centre for Evolution study tracks how “flower power” survived mass extinction 66 million years ago to become the dominant plant type
It’s reassuring to think humans are evolution’s ultimate destination – but we may be an accident
Professor Matt Wills explains in The Conversation how evolution isn't always a "march of progress", with mammals evolving in many different directions.
Fossils of “primitive cousins of T rex” shed light on the end of the age of dinosaurs in Africa
Fossils of two new abelisaurs have been discovered in Morocco, showing the diversity of dinosaurs in this region at the end of the Cretaceous period.
Classroom environmental education doesn’t change attitudes - new research
Researchers at the Milner Centre for Evolution evaluated the effectiveness of conservation educational activities in the Cape Verde Island of Maio.
Bath Nobel Laureate Lecture Series: Professor Sir Richard Roberts
Sir Richard will talk about his research career that led to the discovery of RNA splicing, culminated by the Nobel Prize in 1993.
School outreach activities
Details on how we engage with schools and communities.
Life sciences outreach activities
We offer a range of activities to local schools, colleges and communities.
Campus visits for schools and colleges
During term-time, overnight on-campus accommodation may be available, for those schools/colleges travelling from further afield.
About us
Five cross-disciplinary research themes are prioritised: biodiversity and evolution; biotechnology; cells, development and disease; microbiology, infection & inflammation; and diagnostics, therapeutics and patient care. These themes bridge across the Department, enabling new opportunities for wider collaboration and to define a new vision of Life Sciences.
Contact us
Ask us more details about our courses and research, and keep up-to-date through social media.