Biomedical Science

UCAS code: B940

Here's what De Montfort University says about its Biomedical Science course.

Biomedical Science staff are key members of healthcare – 70% of diagnoses in the NHS are based on pathology results provided by scientists in the lab. As a Biomedical Science student, you will explore the cutting-edge application of scientific investigation to human health.

A rapidly evolving and growing field, you will study and research a range of biomedical topics from organs systems and disease, right down to molecular biology. Throughout the course, you will explore the analytical skills needed for research and investigation, develop an understanding of the role biomedical science plays in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, and apply your knowledge and practical skills to a variety of clinical lab settings.

You will study key healthcare topics, such as infectious disease, cancer, and heart disease, building towards the final year, where we focus on clinical laboratory specialists, informed by current working professionals. Students also complete independent research projects in areas they are interested in, supported by leading academics in topics ranging from Alzheimer’s to Zika virus!

Students also have the option to undertake an additional placement year in a clinical or industry laboratory. As we are an IBMS accredited course, completing a clinical lab placement enables students to gain the necessary registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which is a requirement to become an NHS Biomedical Scientist.

A Biomedical Science degree is highly sought after in NHS clinical laboratories, research institutions, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, as well as an ever-expanding range of healthcare related professions.

Key features

• This course is professionally accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS).

• You can become eligible to apply to the HCPC Register, by completing an HCPC approved Certificate of Competence portfolio with the IBMS, (this can be completed as part of your optional placement year).

• You will study a wide range of current and cutting-edge topics in Biomedical Science, including anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology and the analytical skills of modern biomedical science.

• Gain industry experience during an optional placement year. Our students have worked in a number of NHS laboratories, as well as in research laboratories at organisations including the London School of Hygiene, Tropical Medicine and Public Health England, even working internationally.

• Our Health and Life Sciences facilities have received substantial investment – Biomedical Science students will benefit greatly from recently refurbished teaching laboratory space, with attached cell culture facilities.

• Our students benefit from an international experience through our DMU Global programme, which has seen students conducting Biomedical Science workshops on topics including malaria, sickle cell disease, and diabetes to school students in Zimbabwe and Bermuda.

• Our graduates have gone on to work in diagnostic laboratories in both the public and private sectors, NHS laboratories, research institutions and the biotechnology industry, in roles as biomedical scientists, laboratory assistants, associate practitioners, pharmacology technicians and more.

• Benefit from block teaching, where most students study one subject at a time. A simple timetable will allow you to really engage with your learning, receive regular feedback and assessments, get to know your course mates and enjoy a better study-life balance.

• The Biomedical Science BSc programme has a large and diversely skilled teaching team. Specialist areas of research expertise include cancer, immunology, genetics, toxicology, microbiology, chemical synthesis and drug design, musculoskeletal biology and medical physics. Staff are very research active, which directly informs many aspects of your teaching at UG and PG level.

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive and nurturing community. That’s why most students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You’ll benefit from regular assessments - rather than lots of exams at the end of the year - and a simple timetable that allows you to engage with your subject and enjoy other aspects of university life such as sports, societies, meeting friends and discovering your new city. By studying with the same peers and tutor for each block, you’ll build friendships and a sense of belonging.

FIRST YEAR: Block 1: Professional & Practical Skills Block 2: Chemistry & Biochemistry Block 3: Anatomy & Physiology Block 4: Microbiology

SECOND YEAR: Block 1: Genetics & Molecular Pathology Block 2: Emerging Techniques Block 3: Organ Systems Physiology Block 4: Human Health & Immunity Optional Sandwich Placement Year: Students may apply for a supervised placement in a clinical, industry, or research laboratory, to gain valuable work experience, or (clinical labs only) to complete their IBMS training portfolio to become eligible for later HCPC registration.

THIRD YEAR: Block 1: Research Projects Block 2: Blood Science Block 3: Infection & Immunity Sciences Block 4: Cell Sciences

Each module will be taught over a 7-week period, allowing you to focus on one topic at a time, before building on the next topic sequentially.

Each module will include its own schedule of taught sessions including lectures, tutorials, and workshops, practical sessions in the lab, and time for your own independent study.

Each topic or module will have a main assessment at the end of the module block. Assessments are based on real-world application of your skills, to try and best prepare you for the world of work, and include portfolios, presentations, case studies, lab reports, research papers, as well as quizzes and exams.

Contact hours in a typical week will depend to some extent on the optional modules you choose to study. However, typically you will have up to 20 contact hours of teaching.