School of Biosciences

Biomedical Science - course outline


*Biomedical Scientists work in a dynamic profession with long term career prospects in the specialised laboratory disciplines of medical microbiology, clinical chemistry, transfusion science, haematology, histopathology, cytology, virology and immunology, and also management, research and education. Biomedical Science offers an opportunity to put scientific knowledge into practical use and to perform key roles within medical healthcare.

Your first year modules will provide a broad survey of the various biological disciplines and will include aspects of human health as disease. As you progress through the degree programme the modules will become more specialised focusing on such topics as infectious disease, immunology, physiology, pharmacology, haematology and transfusion science. In you final year your choice of option modules will allow you to study some of these areas in more detail. If you choose the accredited route you will have additional compulsory modules to provide the skills required for State Registration.

Stage 1
Stage 1 is the first year of your degree programme, the core modules are the same for the accredited and non-accredited routes. All the core material is presented using lectures, supervisions, assignments and laboratory classes.
The core modules are:
  • Introduction to Biochemistry
  • Enzymes and Introduction to Metabolism
  • Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • Skills for Bioscientists.
  • The Microbial World
  • Human Physiology and Disease
  • Fundamental Chemistry for Chemists and
    Bioscientists
Plus one option from:
  • Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry
  • Fundamental Human Biology*
  • Chemistry for Biologists#
  • General and Biological Psychology
  • Plant and Animal form and function

#students without A level Chemistry must take this module
*students without A level Biology must take this module

Stage 2
Stage 2 is the second year of your degree programme. There are eight core modules for the accredited route and six for the non-accredited route:
The core modules are:
  • Catabolic and Biosynthetic Processes of Life
  • Infection and Immunity
  • Physiology of the Microbial Cell
  • Physiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Skills for Bioscientists II

Plus two options from:

  • Gene Expression and its Control
  • How Enzymes Work
  • Cell Biology
  • Medicinal Chemistry
  • Introduction to Laboratory Medicine A*
  • Introduction to Laboratory Medicine B*

*compulsory for accredited route

Stage 3
Stage 3 is the final year of your degree programme, all modules are compulsory for either route
Core modules:
  • Research project (double module)
  • Pathogens and Pathogenicity
  • Advanced Immunology
  • Integrated Endocrinology and Metabolism
  • Skills for Biomedical Scientists II

Plus two options from:

  • Cell Communication
  • Haematology and Blood Transfusion*
  • Biological Membranes
  • Protein Structure and Function
  • Introduction to Laboratory Medicine C*

* Required for the accredited programme

Download PDFs: Subject leaflet (266KB) or view the prospectus.

The Biomedical Science degree programme (both accredited and non-accredited) may also be taken with a Sandwich Year. This year away occurs between the second and third years of study and is suitable for students who achieve a good level of attainment at Stage 1 and who wish to experience biomedical science in a working environment.

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Enquiries: Phone: +44 (0)1227 827580 Fax: +44 (0)1227 763912

School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NJ

Last Updated: 01/07/2011