Medical Physiology

The human body works through complex interactions between ions, atoms, molecules, cells and systems. Whilst allowing maintenance of diverse functions in health, even subtle changes can result in disease. Understanding how these components operate in normal physiology and how they malfunction in disease provides the opportunity to understand how we target disease and how new therapies might be developed.

Course description
Physiology is the study of study of the mechanisms and functions within living systems from the ionic level up to the whole animal. To maintain healthy function, all of these aspects must operate optimally, including adapting to changes in the internal or external environment. This course will develop your understanding from the ionic level through to the integration of whole systems that are required to sustain life. This will provide a foundation for understanding how often subtle changes can underlie disease, how we are able to treat disease and how future generations of scientists may develop improved and new treatments.

The course is delivered in modules, allowing you some flexibility to focus on areas that align with your developing interests.

Over the programme, in addition to subject-specific knowledge, you will gain important transferable skills that will make you an attractive prospect for future employers.

This course is identical to the first three years of the MBiolSci in Medical Biosciences (Physiology).

This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting (in part) the academic and experience requirement for the Membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol). Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and key skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of employers. The accreditation criteria require evidence that graduates from accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills.

What's the difference?
At the University of Leicester, we offer seven Biological Science subjects and four Medical Bioscience subjects, all as BSc (three years) and most as MBiolSci (four years), plus a Foundation Year option, giving you an impressive range of different courses to choose from.

Biological Science covers major aspects of biology and molecular science across a wide range of organisms from bacteria and fungi to humans and plants. All 14 courses share a common first year so you can change to a different degree before the end of Year 1.
Medical Science allows you to select specialist modules that focus more closely on the application of biological principles to medicine. All eight courses share a common first year so you can change to a different degree before the end of Year 1.
It is possible to switch between a Biological Science course and a Medical Bioscience course during the first half of your first year, but after that the two fields diverge.