Biological Sciences

Sarah Pinard

Qualification: BSc Honours Biology

When starting university I was slightly nervous as to whether I’d chosen the right course (it was a choice between Biology or Performing arts!) but I definitely made the right decision and found doing the biology course rather than a more specialised pathway very useful as I could learn bits from all the different fields including marine biology, microbiology and forensics.

By the end of the second year I knew that microbiology was what I loved most and for my final year project I worked with The Mary Rose Trust (http://www.maryrose.org/) to investigate polyethylene glycol (PEG) degrading microorganisms within the conservation tanks of waterlogged archaeological wood. Doing my project and having more freedom to explore the part of biology that I loved was the highlight of my degree and I am very sad to have finished.

Portsmouth and the social side

Portsmouth is an awesome city with loads of bars and pubs and some good clubs for the night time including the union and if you go to all the student nights it’s stupidly cheep to go out! It’s also a lovely place to be for those few days a year when the sun comes out as Southsea common and the beach are lovely places to go and chill out. And my advice to any new students at Pompey is to make the most of your first year (and partly your second) as it’s a lot different once you get to your final year!!!