About

  • Biology Teaching Office

    If you have any questions relating to teaching in the School of Biology and you are not sure who to ask, you should contact the Teaching Office Team

    School of Biology Teaching Office
    Biomolecular Science building
    Level 2
    North Haugh
    St Andrews
    KY16 9ST

    Email: [email protected]

    Phone: 01334 46 3602

    Open: 9:00am – 5:00pm Monday to Friday

    Contacts in the School of Biology

    RoleNameContact
    Head of SchoolDr Gerald Prescott[email protected]
    Deputy Head of SchoolProf Sascha Hooker [email protected]
    Director of TeachingDr Susan Gurney[email protected]
    Director of Sub-HonoursDr Fran der Weduwen[email protected]
    Director of HonoursDr Verena Dietrich-Bischoff[email protected]
    Student Disability CoordinatorDr Fran der Weduwen[email protected]
    Student Wellbeing OfficerDr Helder Ferreira[email protected]
    Assessments OfficerDr Simon Young[email protected]
    Senior Teaching AdministratorSarah Maynard-Morris[email protected]
    Health and Safety OfficerDr Magnus Alphey[email protected]

  • The School of Biology is located across three main buildings –

    Biomolecular Sciences Building (BMS)

    The Biomolecular Sciences Building on the North Haugh houses research in molecular and cell biology, virology and immunology. The laboratory on the second floor is the location for some Pre-Honours practical classes, as well as Junior Honours practical classes for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

    Also located on the second floor are the Biology Teaching Office and a the Student Hive (a student study and social space).

    The Hive has working spaces with power supplies and wireless internet access. Chairs and sofas for more relaxed conversations and working, as well as a fully equipped kitchen area.

    Lockers are available in the Hive, we encourage you to store all personal belongings here during practical classes. Commuting students in particular are welcome to use this space in between classes.

    Lab coats must not be worn in the Hive.

    Dyers Brae House and the Harold Mitchell Building

    The Sir Harold Mitchell Building and Dyers Brae House (collectively termed HMB) are in the gardens to the south of Queens Terrace.

    This building houses the Centre for Biological Diversity (CBD).  

    Scottish Oceans Institute (SOI)

    The Scottish Oceans Institute (SOI) on the East Sands is a marine research institute. Research takes place on the physiology and ecology of a wide variety of marine organisms.

    The Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) building is also on this site. 

    More information on each location can be found here.

    Please note Biology teaching takes place across many locations both on the North Haugh and across the town.

  • First Year 

    Margaret Laing Bell Prize – awarded for outstanding performance in the field of Environmental Biology

    Margaret Pickering Prize – awarded for outstanding performance in the field of Molecular and Cell Biology

    Tay Salmon Fisheries Co Ltd Prize – awarded to the overall top performing first year Biology student

    Second Year

    Brenda M Schofield Memorial Prize – awarded for performance in the field of Molecular and Cell Biology

    D’Arcy Thompson Prize – awarded for outstanding performance in the field of Organismal Biology

    Margaret Laing Bell Prize – awarded for outstanding performance in the field of Environmental Biology

    Second Year Class Medal – awarded to the overall top performing second year Biology student

    Junior Honours 

    Level 3000 Class Medal – awarded to the overall top performing Biology student at 3000 level

    Margaret Laing Bell Prize – awarded for outstanding performance in the field of Environmental Biology

    Senior Honours

    Level 4000 Class Medal – awarded to the overall top performing Biology student at 4000 level

    Lynn McIlroy Special Achievement Award in Biology – awarded for special achievement

    Andrew Oliver Memorial Prize – awarded to a student distinguished for field studies in Biology

    Margaret Laing Bell Prize – awarded for outstanding performance in the field of Environmental Biology

    Margaret Lang Prizes in Marine Biology (two prizes)- 1. awarded to the outstanding student in SH Marine Biology degree Programme 2. awarded for the best project thesis on Marine Biology 

    Dr John J Durward Prize – awarded to the student with consistently the best record in Biochemistry

    Dr John J Durward Prize (best project thesis) – awarded for the best project thesis in Biochemistry and/or Molecular Biology

  • 2025-26 information coming soon!

    School PresidentAlex Wiseman[email protected]
    1st Year Representatives
    2nd Year Representatives
    3rd Year Representatives
    4th Year Representatives
    5th Year MBiology/MMarineBiology Representative
    5th Year MBioChemistry Representative
    Joint Honours Representative
    Careers and Empolyability Representative
    Sustainability Representative
    Disability and Academic Support Representative
    Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Representative

    BioSoc

    [email protected]