Biomedicine with Advanced Pathways

This integrated MSci Biomedicine with Advanced Pathways comprises the three-year BSc Biomedicine and one year of Master’s-level study in your chosen area of specialism. It is designed to provide you with advanced knowledge, skills and hands-on research experience to launch your career in research science.

Why choose this course?

• This course explores the vital link between basic science and advances in the treatment of human health and disease while providing you with a wide range of advanced practical and theoretical skills.

• In your third year you will have the chance to develop your skills of working independently in a lab environment undertaking a week-long daytime, practical project.

• In your final year you will gain experience carrying out an independent research project supervised by an academic member of staff actively working in the field.

What you will learn

This course offers you training in practical skills and lab work, including microscopy, DNA manipulation and protein handling. You will also gain a solid grounding in key biomedical topics including:

• biochemistry

• cell biology

• chemistry

• drugs and drug discovery

• genetics

• immunology

• microbiology

• molecular biology and physiology.

In Years 3 and 4 you will specialise in an area of your choice by selecting from different option modules and working on an independent research project, preparing you for a career in research intensive environments.

How you will learn

This MSci is taught via lectures and classroom activities combined with practicals, tutorials and problem-solving classes. By the end of the course you will have completed two different research projects.

This course is available to study full-time with classes in the daytime and evening.

Highlights

• Birkbeck offers you state-of-the-art, specialist laboratories and facilities for studying biological sciences in the heart of academic London.

• In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), in a joint submission with UCL, Biological Sciences at Birkbeck were ranked 11th in the UK.

• You will be taught by internationally distinguished experts who work with governments and institutions around the globe to extend the boundaries of knowledge.

• Working in close collaboration with the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, a joint institute between Birkbeck and UCL, we are recognised for the excellence and international impact of our research.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this MSci Biomedicine with Advanced Pathways, you will have an array of important transferable skills, including:

• a wide range of laboratory skills

• analysis and critical evaluation of data and complex ideas

• the ability to work independently in a laboratory environment

• team-building and creativity that drive scientific innovation

• communication

• development and testing of hypotheses.

Graduates can pursue career paths in scientific research, public health or the health sector more generally. Possible professions include:

• laboratory scientist

• healthcare scientist

• medical research scientist

• microbiologist.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Course modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Types of assessment include short-answer tests in class, computer-based tests (accessed remotely or in class), practical reports, essays, problem-solving and data analysis assignments, oral communication and poster presentations, internet surveys, and unseen, or open-book, written examinations.

Core technical laboratory skills are also assessed during lab-based modules.