The modern biomedical scientist needs to be familiar with a wide range of subject disciplines. This is why our Biomedical Sciences degree provides all students with a sound grounding in compulsory subject areas.

The course also allows you to develop good practical, analytical and transferable skills applicable to a wide range of employment opportunities such as medicine, MSc and PhD study, pharmaceutical research, pathology and diagnosis, clinical trials and data management. You will be encouraged to exercise leadership, initiative and responsibility, and to appreciate the need for continual professional development.

In recent years, graduates have found employment with a wide range of companies, in both the public and private sectors. Some examples include:

• Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
• Home Office Forensic Science Service
• Laboratory of the Government Chemist
• Hospitals and NHS Research Centres
• Celltech Ltd
• Shell Ltd
• National Institute for Medical Research
• Unilever Research Ltd
• Bass Breweries
• Novartis
• Chester Beatty Research Institute
• Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology
• GlaxoSmithKline
• Parexel International.

Over 40% of our graduates go on to obtain higher degrees by research (taught MSc courses, MPhil and PhD) or by study for further qualifications such as medicine, dentistry, ophthalmology or teaching.

For those wishing to pursue a career as an NHS medical laboratory scientific officer, please note that this course is not IBMS accredited.

Specific interests often emerge as students progress through a course, which is why we offer flexibility to transfer between pathways at the end of Level 1.

Optional study blocks at Levels 2 and 3 allow you to follow a degree programme which reflects your interests and strengths. In addition, by selecting a particular pathway, you can gain specialist knowledge in your chosen subject area.

All our undergraduate courses are comprised of study blocks and assessment blocks. To obtain an Honours degree you will complete 120 credits of study and assessment at each level, including a 40 credit research project at Level 3.

Level 1 is compulsory for all pathways, and gives a background in cellular and biochemical processes. Practical lab skills and research skills (IT, communication, information retrieval/analysis, etc) are included to prepare you for the practical nature of the subject, and to give you an introduction to the various pathway options.

At Level 2, we will introduce more formally the biochemical and molecular processes which are altered in various human diseases. The Career Skills study block develops employability skills alongside further practical skills needed by biomedical scientists

At Level 3, you are given as much choice as possible to allow you to follow your interests. Topics are studied to a greater depth than in earlier years. All students must undertake a research project, which allows you to bring together the skills developed at Levels 1 and 2. This will probably be the greatest challenge of your degree, but also the most rewarding. You are usually associated with one of our research centres and your project will normally be clinically-related.

Level 1
Compulsory

• The Human Body: Principles of Anatomy and Physiology
• Biochemistry: Structure and Function
• Research Skills
• Practical Skills in Biomedical Sciences
• Biology of the Cell
• Critical Thinking 1 
  

Level 2
Compulsory

• Career Skills
• Critical Thinking 2
• Molecular and Cellular Biology
• Genetic Engineering and Immunobiology
• Principles of Human Disease
• Genetics and Development

Options

• Analytical Biochemistry
• Medical Microbiology
• Metabolic Regulation

Sandwich Placement
Professional Experience

Level 3
Compulsory

• Gene Therapy and Related Technologies
• Final Year Project*

Optional

• Genomic Medicine
• The Biology and Treatment of Cancer
• Cellular Pathologies
• Endocrine Disorders
• Medical Immunology
• Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology

• GPA 5.0 or 80%

75% is required in any specific subjects that are stated in GCE A-level entry requirements above.

• IELTS: 6 (min 5.5 in all areas)
• Pearson: 51 (51 in all subscores)
• BrunELT: 60% (min 55% in all areas)