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Introduction
Why choose this course?
Benefit from Education 2030, where a simplified ‘block learning’ timetable means you will study one subject at a time and have more time to engage with your learning, receive faster feedback and enjoy a better study-life balance.
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 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, lectures, researchers, or further graduate study such including Medicine, Dentistry, and Advanced Masters courses.
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.
Overview
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.
Modules
Year 1
Year 1 provides students with the fundamental framework of biomedical science in human health.
Professional & Practical Skills
An introduction to clinical lab skills, from benchwork, to professionally analysing and communicating your findings.
Chemistry & Biochemistry
Starting at a molecular level, this module examines the basic principles of chemistry and biochemistry that apply to healthcare, such as genetics and mechanisms behind diagnostic tests.
Anatomy & Physiology
Building on the molecular knowledge, this module covers the basics of key organ systems and relevance in human health and disease.
Microbiology
Microbiology goes beyond human cells, and starts to cover bacterial and viral cells, covering global infectious disease.
Year 2
Building on the topics from first year, in second year students start to appreciate the deeper complexities of biomedical science, exploring state-of-the-art research techniques and the role of biomedical science in diagnosis, preventing, and treating disease.
Genetics & Molecular Pathology
This module will integrate genetics and genomic into the context of human health, laboratory techniques, and inheritance.
Emerging Techniques
Introducing the principles, operation, and application of research and diagnostic techniques essential for biomedical research and diagnostics.
Organ Systems Physiology
Building on from the Anatomy & Physiology module, students will further explore diagnostic tests and organ systems, focusing on disease states.
Human Health & Immunity
Combining an introduction to immunobiology and inflammatory processes and disorders, this module develops students understanding of a number of disease processes and therapeutic approaches.
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.
Year 3
In third year, modules are designed in line with the clinical specialties of biomedical science laboratories, allowing students to combine and apply their knowledge with real-world relevance.
Research Projects
Pursuing a topic of their interest, students will be supported to design and conduct their own research project, generating, interpreting, and presenting their research.
Blood Science
Students will apply biochemistry and cell physiology to the diagnosis and monitoring of blood related disorders and disease.
Infection & Immunity Sciences
Covering microbiology, public health, and the immune system, students study the related diagnostic techniques and therapeutic strategies employed in this field.
Cell Sciences
Giving students an appreciation of clinical genetics and cellular pathology, this module will develop students’ understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in underlying disease processes.
Teaching and Assessments
Teaching
You will benefit from teaching methods including:
Lectures
Tutorials
Seminars
Computer-based learning
Extensive laboratory-based work
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.
Assessment
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.
Programme Study
The accredited programme of study is usually taken over three years with an opportunity to spend an additional year (between years 2 and 3) either in industry or in an NHS laboratory.
Students pursue their own research interests in a final year project working closely with staff at the university, or out on project placements, for example in local hospital laboratories.
A subsequent MSc in Advanced Biomedical Science programme is available for BSc graduates or for experienced biomedical scientists covering major pathology specialities who require a postgraduate qualification for career advancement.
Teaching Hours
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 and this will break down as:
Personal tutorial/small group teaching: approx. 6 hours of tutorials (or later in the year, project supervision) each week.
Medium group teaching: approx. 6 hours of practical classes, workshops or seminars each week.
Large group teaching: approx. 8 hours of lectures each week.
Personal study: approx. 15 hours studying and revising in your own time each week, including some guided study using hand-outs, online activities, etc.
Academic expertise and accreditation
Academic expertise
The Biomedical Science BSc programme has a large and diversely skilled teaching team, whose expertise spans all areas of biomedical science. 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.
Accreditation
The Biomedical Science BSc programme is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science
Entry Criteria
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
If no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Entry criteria
GCSE
Five GSCEs at grade 4 or above, including Maths and English
Plus, one of the following:
A-Level
A minimum of 120 UCAS points from at least two A levels. One A level must be at grade C or above in either Biology, Chemistry or Human Biology
T Levels
Merit in Science (with optional module in Laboratory Science only)
BTEC
BTEC National Diploma Science - Distinction/ Distinction/ Merit
BTEC Extended Diploma Science - Distinction/ Distinction/ Merit
Alternative qualifications include:
Access to HE Diploma
122 UCAS Tariff Access to HE Diploma ‘Science’ with Distinctions in science specific modules not in generic learning modules.
English and Maths GCSE required at grade 4 (C) or above as separate qualifications.
We will normally require students to have had a break from full-time education before undertaking the Access course.
International Baccalaureate: 28+ with six higher level points in Chemistry or Biology
Interview: No
Work experience: No
Personal statement selection criteria
Clear communication skills, including good grammar and spelling
Information relevant to the course applied for
Interest in the course demonstrated with explanation and evidence
If relevant for the course - work and life experience
We welcome applications from mature students with non-standard qualifications
English language requirements
If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with 5.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential.
English Language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.
UCAS Tariff changes
Students applying for courses starting in September will be made offers based on the latest UCAS Tariff.
Assessment
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Career Opportunities
Placements
Students on the course benefit from a dedicated placements team, as well as having the opportunity to apply for funded summer projects and work experience.
You will have the opportunity to complete a paid placement which offers invaluable professional experience. Placements are typically provided by the NHS at an approved NHS pathology centre, or a research or industrial laboratory.
Previous opportunities have included placements with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Public Health England, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Glenfield Hospital in Leicester and St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in London.
Our Careers Team can help you secure a placement through activities such as mock interviews and practice aptitude tests, and you will be assigned a personal tutor to support you throughout your placement.
Graduate careers
Our graduates are highly sought-after by NHS pathology centres and have gone on to work in diagnostic laboratories in both the public and private sectors, as well as research institutions for a research career or PhD study, and the biotechnology industry in roles such as biomedical scientist, laboratory assistant, associate practitioner and pharmacology technician.
Vivian Nwagboso landed a role as a biomedical scientist at Hull Royal Infirmary after graduating. She credits the course’s professional accreditation with helping her land a placement, which in turn contributed to her securing a full-time job.
She said: “I am very grateful to DMU for opportunities to develop so many transferable skills. It was unbelievable that I got a job even before writing my final exams.”
You can also pursue a range of postgraduate courses which offer opportunities to build your skills and enhance your knowledge, including our Advanced Biomedical Science MSc and Physician Associate Studies MSc courses.
To help students prepare for specific careers choices, not only do we have a professional careers team, careers conferences, and employment talks, but an initiative where alumni give their advice for students following in their footsteps, including students who have gone on to postgraduate medicine and dentistry, research, and clinical laboratory careers.
DMU Global
This is our innovative international experience programme which aims to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons – helping you to become a global graduate, equipped to meet the needs of employers across the world. Through DMU Global, we offer a wide range of opportunities including on-campus and UK activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.
Students on this course have previosuly undertaken DMU Global trips to places such as Kentucky in American, where they helped to raise awareness of type 2 diabetes, and Bermuda, where they taught science to schoolchildren.
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