University of Sunderland

Biomedical Science

* Exceptions may apply.  Please see Fees and Finance for further information.

Introduction

This programme was awarded the highest grade (24/24) by the Quality Assurance Agency.

Biomedical Science is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and is approved by the Health Professions Council (HPC).

The aim of the programme is to give graduates a thorough grounding in the scientific investigation of human health and disease. In particular, the qualities needed for employment in a range of situations requiring the exercise of professionalism, independent thought, personal responsibility and decision making in complex and unpredictable circumstances (QAA benchmark, Biomedical Science).

Overall Objectives of the Programme

• To integrate a wide range of underpinning science and key subjects in order to understand the causes, diagnosis and treatment of disease.
• To define the role of the laboratory in the diagnosis and monitoring of human disease.
• To produce graduates who are skilled and technically competent at a range of biomedical techniques and capable of expert analysis and interpretation.
• To produce graduates who can work responsibly in accordance with health and safety and other relevant legislation.
• To produce graduates with a range of key transferable and intellectual skills that can be applied to scientific laboratory practice

In addition, students who do integrated clinical placements in an approved clinical training laboratory will be given the opportunity to meet the Practioner Training Programme (PTP) as defined by 'Modernising Scientific Careers'. This will prepare future healthcare scientists to analyse specimens from patients to provide data to help diagnose and treat disease. They should be able to perform a range of complex clinical, scientific and technical procedures and be accountable for their own actions. Students who successfully complete work based learning in a clinical laboratory will graduate with the appropriate discipline specific Healthcare Science degree title.

Successful students may have the opportunity to transfer to

BSc Healthcare Science: Life Sciences routes in the 2^nd year if also successful in obtaining the appropriate discipline specific clinical placement:

• Cell Science
• Infection Science
• Blood Science
• Genetics Technology

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Course Content

Level 1

Scientific basis:

• Laboratory and Analytical Skills
• Human Physiology
• Biological Chemistry
• Cell Science 1
• Molecular Biology and Microbiology
• Clinical Skills

Level 2

Techniques and methods:

• Pathophysiology 1
• Analytical Sciences
• Infection Science
• Blood Science
• Cell Science 2
• Life Sciences Dissertation

Level 3

Application to practice:

• Life Sciences Project
• Pathophysiology 2
• Cellular Pathology
• Clinical Biochemistry
• Molecular Pathology
• Immunology
• Haematology with blood transfusion
• Medical Microbiology
• Human Genomics

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Entry Requirements

Our typical offer will be 260 points from a minimum of 2 A levels/AVCEs or equivalent (e.g. 1 x AVCE double award) including Biology or Chemistry.

We accept a maximum of 20 points from Level 3 Key Skills.

We also require three passes at GCSE grade C or above which must include Mathematics and English Language or a minimum of Level 2 Key Skills in Communication, Application of Number and Information Technology (or equivalent).

Access Course: We would require successful completion of a Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education Access programme and that you would have a minimum of GCSE grade C Mathematics and English Language (or have obtained the equivalent as part of your course).

Scottish Highers: Our typical offer is for 260 points including Biology or Chemistry.

Irish Leaving Certificate: Our typical offer is for 260 points including Biology or Chemistry.

In order to undertake the work-based training part of the programme, students will have to have a satisfactory disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau and a medical check.

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Fees and Finance

The fees for this course are as specified in the table at the top of the page.

Please note that different fees apply to students studying for "Equivalent or Lower Qualifications" (ELQs). For more information about ELQs, please see the page Information for applicants who already have an HE Qualification.

For information about University scholarships and bursaries please see the page Fees and Finance.

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Teaching and Assessment

Teaching methods include lectures, practical work, seminars and other forms of group work. Assessment is by examination and continuous assessment of coursework, through essays, multiple-choice tests, reports, oral and/or poster presentations.

Although the balance varies from module to module the overall split is roughly 40:60 between continuous assessment and examination.

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Work Experience

The programme has strong links with hospital laboratories and many other employers of graduate scientists, both locally and nationally, and visits to working laboratories are an important part of the degree programme.

External industrial advisers help focus the content and currency of the programme, ensuring graduates have the skills and knowledge employers are seeking.

Work-based training is an integral part of the Healthcare Science programme and is subject to training places being provided by the regional healthcare providers.

The Department of Health is in the process of establishing new professional bodies that will approve and validate the BSc Healthcare Science programmes. These professional bodies will play an important part in registering clinical physiologists so that they can be allowed to practice in the NHS.

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Career Opportunities

The majority of our graduates, more than 75% choose careers that relate directly to their studies, for example, as biomedical scientists in the NHS, medical research institutions or universities, in clinical laboratories, drug companies, veterinary work, laboratory forensics, scientific writing, medical sales and clinical trials.

Others begin careers in the Health Service Diagnostic Pathology Service, forensic science laboratories, Health Protection Agency and molecular biology companies, or work with pharmaceutical companies, either as research scientists or clinical research associates managing clinical trials for new pharmaceutical products. Graduates also become management trainees with a wide range of companies.

A number extend their studies and go on to study Masters, PhDs or take up careers in medicine, dentistry or pharmacy while others go into teaching.

We take students with a basic science background and help them to evolve into specialist scientists in a variety of complex fields, such as medical microbiology, immunology, haematology, cellular pathology and clinical biochemistry.

The new Healthcare Science programmes are offered through UCAS as a training route to be a Healthcare Scientist in the NHS. Currently salaries offered by the NHS for Healthcare Scientists range from £20,710 to £79,031 per year and 89% of biology and health care science graduates go straight into employment and/or further study (DLHE survey 2008) making this an attractive choice for students.

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Supplemental Information

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science was awarded the highest grade (24/24) by the Quality Assurance Agency.

Study Abroad
Students will be encouraged, though not required to spend a semester studying in the United States in Level 2. We have a number of reciprocal links with Universities in the US and Canada. These studies are credited to the American Studies programme.

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Facilities

We have invested £7.5 million in Phase 1 of the new Sciences Complex which opened in September 2010. This provides high quality teaching and learning facilities and social learning spaces for staff and students.

The building also includes multi-disciplinary science laboratories including new equipment for drug discovery, pharmaceuticals and health related sciences.

In 2011 a new integrated industry-standard Analytical Services Lab and scientific imaging suite will open. As well as the new Lab there will also be an attractive landscaped public realm space as part of a new university square.

*World Class Web/Design Tools*

The University of Sunderland has made a significant investment in providing students with access to the latest releases of Adobe products.

Selected PCs within the St Peter's and Murray Libraries have been pre-loaded with the Creative Suite 4 (CS4) Adobe Design Premium Suite for your exclusive use.

CS4 Creative includes key products such as Indesign, Illustrator, Dreamweaver as well as Photoshop and a range of many others.

Further information is available from:

http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/creativesuite/design/
For information regarding locations of PC or Macs within your own faculty that have access to Adobe products please contact your Faculty IT Support.

If you are interested in purchasing Adobe products for your own PC/Mac Adobe offer significant savings for student purchases via any of its approved re-sellers.

Please visit:

http://www.student-software.co.uk/

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Related Courses

• Physiological Sciences*

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