Discovery modules Exploring the Sciences Discovery modules
Please note this webpage is currently undergoing changes ready for the 2026/27 academic year
The benefits of enrolling on an Exploring the Sciences Discovery module
Science, like art, languages, culture, philosophy, religion and politics, is an integral part of humanity. It impacts, and in turn is impacted upon, each of the other major endeavours of humankind. Moreover, science will have a part to play in our addressing, collectively, many of the most pressing global problems facing humanity.
However, you do not need to be a scientist to ‘get’ or ‘use’ science. Science is not just for scientists, it is for everyone.
Within this Theme you will find modules which try to open up scientific ideas to curious minds, regardless of which degree programme you are taking. Collectively, they illustrate the diversity of investigation and the broad societal impact of science. They have been developed to engage you, not to reinforce old stereotypes. To offer you a way into how scientific ideas have impacted our lives and how you, in turn, can appreciate some aspects of what science has to offer.
Some of the Discovery modules in this Theme require a prior acquaintance with certain scientific ideas, but many do not. The emphasis is more on recognising where science fits into today’s world and some of the big issues facing all of us.
You may think that science is about knowing lots of facts. That’s not science, that’s stamp-collecting. You may think science is just about separating what is right and what is not right. That too is not science, but more the realm of lawyers and ethicists. Science, just like all other major human endeavours of thought and activity seeks to understand our world, our place within that world and how best to secure a legacy for humanity which will be of some value to future generations.
For general guidance relating to Discovery modules, contact your parent school. For information relating to a specific Discovery module, contact the teaching school for that module.
Explore Exploring the Sciences Discovery modules
Level 1 Exploring the Sciences modules for the 2026/27 academic year
The Diversity of Life
- Module code: BLGY1124
Read more about The Diversity of Life in the module catalogue.
Biology of the Mind
- Module code: BMSC1200
Read more about Biology of the Mind in the module catalogue.
Introduction to Pharmacology
- Module code: BMSC1216
Read more about Introduction to Pharmacology in the module catalogue.
Topics in Nanotechnology
- Module code: CAPE1700
Read more about Topics in Nanotechnology in the module catalogue.
Introduction to Human Nutrition
- Module code: FOOD1051
Read more about Introduction to Human Nutrition in the module catalogue.
Traditional and Alcoholic Beverages (semester 1)
- Module code: FOOD1071
Read more about Traditional and Alcoholic Beverages in the module catalogue.
Traditional and Alcoholic Beverages (semester 2)
- Module code: FOOD1171
Read more about Traditional and Alcoholic Beverages in the module catalogue.
Dynamic Landscapes
- Module code: GEOG1040
Read more about Dynamic Landscapes in the module catalogue.
Magic, Science and Religion
- Module code: HPSC1015
Read more about Magic, Science and Religion in the module catalogue.
Darwin, Germs and the Bomb
- Module code: HPSC1050
Read more about Darwin, Germs and the Bomb in the module catalogue.
History of Modern Medicine
- Module code: HPSC1080
Read more about History of Modern Medicine in the module catalogue.
The Microbial World
- Module code: MICR1202
Read more about The Microbial World in the module catalogue.
Introduction to Immunology
- Module code: MICR1221
Read more about Introduction to Immunology in the module catalogue.
Introduction to Global Health
- Module code: NUFF1001
Read more about Introduction to Global Health in the module catalogue.
Introduction to Nanotechnology
- Module code: PHAS1500
Read more about Introduction to Nanotechnology in the module catalogue.
Planets and the Search for Life
- Module code: PHAS1510
Read more about Planets and the Search for Life in the module catalogue.
Introduction to Nanotechnology
- Module code: PHYS1311
Read more about Introduction to Nanotechnology in the module catalogue.
Forensic Psychology
- Module code: PSYC1610
Read more about Forensic Psychology in the module catalogue.
Natural Hazards
- Module code: SOEE1034
Read more about Natural Hazards in the module catalogue.
Vertebrate Evolution
- Module code: SOEE1120
Read more about Vertebrate Evolution in the module catalogue.
Atmosphere
- Module code: SOEE1281
Read more about Atmosphere in the module catalogue.
Weather
- Module code: SOEE1401
Read more about Weather in the module catalogue.
Water
- Module code: SOEE1434
Level 2 Exploring the Sciences modules for the 2026/27 academic year
Parasitology
- Module code: BLGY2106
Read more about Parasitology in the module catalogue.
Bioinformatics for Biologists
- Module code: BLGY2202
Read more about Bioinformatics for Biologists in the module catalogue.
Should Scientists Be Activists?: Values, Science and Society
- Module code: IDEA2002
Read more about Should Scientists Be Activists?: Values, Science and Society in the module catalogue.
Understanding Data in the Social Sciences
- Module code: LUBS2095
Read more about Understanding Data in the Social Sciences in the module catalogue.
How Biology Works
- Module code: PHIL2611
Read more about How Biology Works in the module catalogue.
Introductory Oceanography
- Module code: SOEE2110
Read more about Introductory Oceanography in the module catalogue.
Transport, Energy and Environment
- Module code: TRAN2041
Read more about Transport, Energy and Environment in the module catalogue.
Level 3 Exploring the Sciences modules for the 2026/27 academic year
Innovation and Design Principles for Foods
- Module code: FOOD3011
Read more about Innovation and Design Principles for Foods in the module catalogue.
Diet and Cardiovascular Health
- Module code: FOOD3071
Read more about Diet and Cardiovascular Health in the module catalogue.
Biotechnology: Traditional and Leading Edge
- Module code: FOOD3100
Read more about Biotechnology: Traditional and Leading Edge in the module catalogue.
Functional Foods
- Module code: FOOD3330
Read more about Functional Foods in the module catalogue.
Food and Cancer
- Module code: FOOD3340
Read more about Food and Cancer in the module catalogue.
Science Communication: History & Theory
- Module code: HPSC3200
Read more about Science Communication: History & Theory in the module catalogue.
Mind, Brain & Society
- Module code: HPSC3450
Read more about Mind, Brain & Society in the module catalogue.
Public Enterprise and Regulation
- Module code: LUBS3435
Read more about Public Enterprise and Regulation in the module catalogue.
Number Theory
- Module code: MATH3044
Read more about Number Theory in the module catalogue.
Combinatorics
- Module code: MATH3143
Read more about Combinatorics in the module catalogue.
Mathematical Biology
- Module code: MATH3565
Read more about Mathematical Biology in the module catalogue.
Generalised Linear Models
- Module code: MATH3823
Read more about Generalised Linear Models in the module catalogue.
Introduction to Philosophy of Modern Physics
- Module code: PHIL3851
Read more about Introduction to Philosophy of Modern Physics in the module catalogue.
Earth Observations from Space
- Module code: SOEE3190
Read more about Earth Observations from Space in the module catalogue.
Oceanography in the Earth System
- Module level: 5
- Module code: SOEE5617M
Read more about Oceanography in the Earth System in the module catalogue.