Biomedical Informatics with Foundation and Placement

This Biomedical Informatics degree allows you to develop knowledge and understanding of modern bioscience and informatics (the study of computational systems) with a specific emphasis on everyday healthcare solutions.
With the rapid advancement of digital technology in the healthcare industry, there is an ever-increasing demand for healthcare workers with specialised skills in applying information technologies in healthcare.
Throughout the Biomedical Informatics course, you will benefit from:
• being part of a learning community conducting research into areas such as cancer, genomics, microbiology, food safety, ageing and memory, and translation medicine
• access to brand-new facilities including equipment used in modern pharmaceutical, nutritional and clinical laboratories
• option of a placement year to develop your employability and career prospects
• final year research project - allows you to focus your studies on your specific interests and career goals.
A wide array of optional modules allow you to shape your studies to match your own interests and career ambitions.

What you'll study
Integrating practical and theoretical aspects of using information technologies in healthcare and medicine, this Biomedical Informatics degree delivers a thorough understanding of the key concepts and principles of informatics.
The course aims to integrate practical and theoretical aspects of using information technologies in healthcare and medicine whilst promoting an awareness of the ethical, moral and social implications.
The interdisciplinary nature of this biomedical course is reinforced by broad departmental expertise and research interests, particularly in areas of:
• bioinformatics
• cell biology
• microbiology
• pharmacology
• person-centred health and social care.
Year One: You will cover a range of core modules introducing you to anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and bodily systems. You will also gain an overall picture of the human organism and its essential functions, including microbiology, the structural features of all cells that make up the living system, fundamental genetic mechanisms essential for the evolution of life and function, and the genetics and molecular biology underpinning human biology and health.
Year Two: You will build on your knowledge from the first year by exploring how information technologies can be applied to medicine to improve human health and treat diseases. To this end, three core modules are included at this level to introduce you to some important concepts and principles in informatics, such as medical imaging, computer programming, and computational statistics.
Year Three: You will continue to develop your knowledge and understanding of biomedical informatics through two core modules on healthcare informatics and the choice of two optional modules on diagnosis and treatment of human diseases. This is reinforced by a research project which allows you to explore unique topics of interest.
Placement Year*
You can choose to study a placement year module to develop your employability skillset and enhance professional development and career prospects. The module requires you to undertake 45 weeks of full-time employment relevant to Biomedical Sciences. The industrial placement year aims to enhance your employment prospects by developing industry-related skills in a real work environment. It also aims to enhance and develop your personal and interpersonal skills, knowledge and practical abilities through an individually negotiated portfolio of activities.
*There is no guarantee that you will be successful in securing a placement. If you choose a course with a placement route and a placement opportunity does not arise, the University will automatically transfer you to the non-placement route. This is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree. The placement route for this course is open to UK students only.
This course includes a foundation year.