Biomedical Science

Contribute to our understanding of the human body and our ability to control it during health and disease. If you're thinking about a career in research, this course involves a major research project in your fourth year.

Our four-year MBiomedSci Biomedical Science course is perfect if you're thinking about a research career. It’s all about the human body and our ability to control it during health and disease. You’ll then complete a major research project in your fourth year (known as an integrated masters).

You'll study human physiology, pharmacology, and molecular and cell biology before applying this knowledge to important issues in clinical medicine. You'll discover the basis of genetic diseases, the physiology of health, and take on challenges like how to tackle antimicrobial resistance.

At Sheffield, you’ll be encouraged to be creative, think independently, and express your ideas. You’ll get hands-on experience in our anatomy laboratory, where you’ll have access to real human von Hagen plastinates and our full-size interactive digital Anatomage tables, allowing you to explore the human body layer by layer. Some students spend time interacting directly with patients as part of the course, or develop IT solutions to handle clinical data. You'll even have opportunities to work with scientists from Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust to learn how to diagnose genetic disorders such as cancer or rare inherited disease.

As you progress through your degree, you’ll have the chance to delve deeper into key areas such as stem cells and cancer, neuroscience, physiology and pharmacology, and developmental and cell biology.

No matter what areas of biomedical science you choose to study at Sheffield, you'll develop practical laboratory and transferable skills that make our graduates attractive to employers including project management, problem-solving, communication skills, and data analysis.

All this experience will prepare you for your third-year research project where you could be laboratory-based, focus on computer modelling, science education, or even science communication. Examples of recent student research projects include:

• Investigating the role of extracellular matrix and drug resistance in cancer cells

• Investigating the development of novel biopharmaceutical agents to control inflammatory response

• Anatomy and forensic anthropology

Your fourth year is designed to equip you with advanced laboratory skills, ready for a rewarding career in science. You'll spend the bulk of this year focussed on a major research project in an area of biomedical science of your choice, and graduate with a masters degree.

If you choose to spend a year on a work placement as part of your course, this tends to take place after your second year. It’s a great way to gain valuable experience and test out a career path that you're considering. Our students have found placements in science and non-science-based roles with a range of organisations including Cancer Research UK, Pfizer, and GSK. You can opt into the scheme once you get to Sheffield.

Accreditation

This course has advanced accreditation by the Royal Society of Biology which shows employers that you've developed the scientific knowledge and technical and transferable skills that you'll need for a great career.