Applied Biomedical Science

Biomedical scientists conduct laboratory and scientific tests to support the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

They are critical to the running of diagnostic laboratories, A&E, operating theatres, many other hospital, GP and outpatient departments and NHS Blood and Transplant services.

Based in a laboratory, you’ll investigate a wide range of medical conditions from blood disorders and cancer to hepatitis and meningitis.

Your work will be extremely varied and demand both analytical and practical skills.

You’ll screen for diseases and be expected to identify diseases caused by bacteria and viruses, while monitoring the effects of medication and other treatments.

Confidence with technology is important as you’ll work with computers, automated equipment, microscopes and other laboratory instruments.

You’ll have the opportunity to specialise often in one of four areas:

• Infection sciences

• Blood sciences

• Cellular sciences

• Genomic or genetic sciences

The BSc (Hons) in Applied Biomedical Science takes a multidisciplinary approach to the study of human disease.

It examines the causes of disease, and the effects of disease on the normal structure and functions of the human body. You’ll gain a firm understanding of the scientific basis for laboratory investigation, diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease.

The programme also develops and applies new technologies that help improve patient care.

In year 3, you will specialise in one of the following pathways:

• Genetics

• Cellular Sciences

• Infection Sciences

• Blood Science

Each pathway contains a work-based training placement, which is integrated with the academic content. This provides invaluable applied experience, developing your skills and boosting your employability. Every effort will be made to accommodate your preference of specialist pathway. This is, however, dependent on placement provision available at the time.

On graduation you’ll be able to practice as a HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist in NHS Pathology laboratories.

Professional accreditation

This course is also accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and has approval from the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This means you could be eligible to register with HCPC as a Biomedical Scientist following successful completion of the course.

The NHS England National School of Healthcare and Science (NSHCS) accredits this programme for the Life Sciences Practitioner Training Programme. This means you could be a qualified Healthcare Science Practitioner in your specialism after finishing your course and may be eligible to join the Academy for Healthcare Science register as a professional.

Course Modules

Year 1:

Cell Biology (20 credits, core) |

Molecules of Life (20 credits, core) |

Human Physiology  (20 credits, core) |

Work based learning and Professional Practice 1 (20 credits, core) |

Introductory Microbiology  (20 credits, core) |

Genetics (20 credits, core) |

Year 2:

Clinical and Analytical Biochemistry (20 credits, core) |

Medical Microbiology and Infection Science (20 credits, core) |

Immunology, Haematology and Transfusion Science  (20 credits, core) |

Work-based learning and Professional Practice 2 (20 credits, core) |

Pathology (20 credits, core) |

Molecular Biology (20 credits, core) |

Year 3:

Blood Science

Pregnancy and Paediatric Blood Science (10 credits, core) |

Advanced Topics in Haematology and Transfusion Science (20 credits, core) |

Work-based learning and Professional Practice 3 (30 credits, core) |

Research Project for Applied Biomedical Science (40 credits, core) |

Diagnostics in Biochemistry and Immunology (20 credits, core) |

Cellular Science

Clinical Diagnostics in Reproductive Science (20 credits, core) |

Applications of Cytopathology  (10 credits, core) |

Research Project for Applied Biomedical Science (40 credits, core) |

Work-based learning and Professional Practice 3 (30 credits, core) |

Diagnostic Histopathology  (20 credits, core) |

Genetics

Applied Genetics  (10 credits, core) |

Clinical Genetics and Genomic Medicine (20 credits, core) |

Research Project for Allied Biomedical Science (40 credits, core) |

Work-based learning and Professional Practice 3 (30 credits, core) |

Biology of Disease (20 credits, core) |

Infection Science

Infectious Disease: Establishment, Treatment and Control  (20 credits, core) |

Parasitology and Fungal Infections (10 credits, core) |

Research Project for Applied Biomedical Science (40 credits, core) |

Work-based learning and Professional Practice 3 (30 credits, core) |

Diagnostic Microbiology (20 credits, core) |

A wide range of teaching methods are used to deliver the programme, which include a combination of blended learning undertaken mainly on campus.

To accommodate both the academic requirements and work-based training, the programme will require extended periods of study in years 1 and 2, beyond the standard 30 weeks.

All students have three semesters of study, with semester 3 being the work-based learning opportunity.

A number of self-directed components of Work Based Learning (WBL) is carried out whilst working in the placement laboratory, alongside the development of the Institute’s registration training portfolio.