School of Biology new student

Information for new students at the School of Biology

Biology new entrants – Orientation Week 2022-23

Monday 5th September

  • Students can find the name of their Adviser of Studies by accessing advising on the student portal, MySaint

Tuesday 6th September

  • Welcome to First Year talk: 9 am – 10 am in Biology Teaching lab in Medical Sciences Building (MBSB), North Haugh.
  • First year Advising appointments with Biology Advisers : 10 am – 5 pm n Biology Teaching lab in Medical Sciences Building (MBSB), North Haugh.
  • Good Academic Practice

Wednesday 7th September

    • Meet Degree Controller and Fellow Students (1st year) at 3:30 pm

Venue:-Field opposite Biomolecular Sciences Building, North Haugh (if weather permits otherwise BMS teaching Labs, Level 2)

Please meet at 15:30 on the field in front of the Biomolecular Sciences Building (behind Gateway/Management building or BMS Teaching labs). You will be introduced to your degree controller and students on the same degree programme. Together you will complete tasks, take photographs and tour sites of importance to your degree.

We look forward to meeting you.

Degree Programme

Degree Controller
BSc Animal Behaviour Prof Susan Healy
BSc Biochemistry Dr Simon Young
BSc Biology Dr David Shuker
BSc Cell Biology Dr Marcus Bischoff
BSc Ecology and Conservation Prof Maria Azeredo de Dornelas
BSc Evolutionary Biology Prof Susan Healy
BSc Marine Biology Dr Julie Oswald
BSc Molecular Biology Dr Susan Gurney
BSc Zoology Prof Susan Healy
Joint Biology Degree Programmes Dr Mike Webster
MBiochem Dr Jacqueline Nairn
MBiology Prof Oscar Gaggiotti
MMarine Biology Dr Simon Northridge
Books & practical class information for BL1101 Biology 1

How to locate and use Biology Teaching Lab

  • How to Locate and Use Biology Teaching Laboratories 2022-23 video

People

Teaching Technicians: Christopher Simmons-Riach, Alasdair Stenhouse, Duncan Laird

Lead Demonstrator: Dr Susan Gurney

Technicians Office: Rm 141, Medical Sciences Building (MBSB), North Haugh

Teaching Office: (Sumit Bains, Sarah Harris) Level 2, Biomolecular Science (BMS) building, North Haugh. email: bioteach@st-andrews.ac.uk

Books

Biology a global Approach (Campbell et al., 11th ed.); Practical Skills in Biology (Jones et al., 6th ed.) Available new at Blackwells Book Store (next to the Student Union, will offer a reduced price for both together). Second hand copies can be found in charity shops (eg. Dr Barnardo’s, Bell Street) and sold by former students – check residence notice boards. Previous 2 editions should suffice, although page references may differ.

Lab coats

Available from the Student Union Shop with or without elasticated cuffs. Please note that students taking Chemistry modules must have 100% cotton lab coats, which can also be used for Biology.

Lab fees

No lab fees will be charged this year.

 

Lab Sign Up

  • Labs are compulsory.
  • Labs take place in the Multi-Purpose Lab (MPL) in the Medical Sciences Building on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (possibly Thursday) afternoon, from 2-5pm.
  • You must select one lab day in either week 2, 3 or 4 and one in week 7, 8 or 9 and sign up to it on MMS (http://mms.st-andrews.ac.uk/) under BL1101.
  • Sign up opens on Friday 3th
  • When choosing a practical day, make sure it does not clash with your other modules – once chosen practical days are NOT transferable.
  • Be aware that Wednesday is the University’s sports day so do not choose a Wednesday for labs if you want to be involved in sports.

Lab Attendance & Etiquett

  • Practicals start at 2pm; be punctual!
  • YOU MUST WEAR A FACE COVERING IN THE LAB, OBSERVE SOCIAL DISTANCING WHERE POSSIBLE AND USE HAND SANITISER.
  • The attendance sheet at the end of the bench must be signed.
  • If you arrive late, please enter the lab quietly.
  • No eating, drinking or chewing gum is allowed in the lab.
  • Lab coats must be worn at all times unless otherwise indicated.
  • Bags, jackets etc. should be tucked under the lab bench. Do not leave anything in the corridor!
  • No open-toed shoes or sandals should be worn.
  • Long hair must be tied back (elastic bands are provided).

Any problems or queries regarding lab attendance should be directed to Dr Susan Gurney