Course modules
BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science
Year 1 (national level 4):
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Clinical and Academic Practice (30 credits)
What skills do you need to succeed in healthcare and science? In this module, you’ll explore the key skills that shape careers in science and healthcare. You’ll learn how to care for patients, write clearly about science, and understand how rules and safety laws affect work in labs. From hands-on clinical practice to reflective writing, this module helps you build the skills needed for the NHS and beyond. It’s designed to prepare you for further study and a wide range of professional roles.
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Molecular Basis of Life (30 credits)
In this module, you’ll explore how chemical reactions power the body and how molecules like DNA, proteins, fats, and sugars work together to keep cells alive. You’ll learn about acids and bases, how energy is made in mitochondria, and how cells send and receive messages. Topics include protein synthesis, transcription, and how cells stay in balance. You’ll also develop lab skills like titration, spectrophotometry, chromatography, and flow cytometry to support your learning.
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Cell to System Physiology (30 credits)
How do cells build the human body? In this module, you’ll discover how cells, the body’s building blocks, develop into specialised tissues, organs, and systems. You’ll explore what happens inside cells, including how they divide, function, and die. You’ll then study the major organ systems, such as the lungs and heart, and learn how they work together to keep us alive. Practical sessions will give you hands-on experience with techniques like measuring lung function, helping you link theory to real-world science.
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Infection, Immunity and Disease (30 credits)
How do tiny microbes affect our health? In this module, you’ll explore the world of viruses, bacteria, and fungi and how they can help or harm the human body. You’ll learn how these microbes grow, survive in different environments, and cause disease. You’ll study how the body defends itself using the immune system, including natural barriers and antibodies. You’ll also look at how antibiotics are developed and used to fight infections. In the lab, you’ll learn how to safely handle microorganisms using aseptic techniques and practise key microbiology skills.
Year 2 (national level 5):
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Pathogenesis and Diagnosis of Disease (30 credits)
How do microbes and tissues help us understand and treat disease? In this module, you’ll explore how microbes like bacteria and viruses cause infection and how we treat them using biomedical science and bioinformatics. You’ll study how organ systems are built and learn how examining tissue samples under a microscope helps us diagnose and treat disease. This module shows how tiny organisms and cells reveal big insights into human health.
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Blood Science and Immunology (30 credits)
In immunology, you’ll dive into how the immune system fights infections and how we use vaccines and immunotherapy to help patients stay healthy. You’ll explore the different specialisms within a modern NHS blood sciences department. You’ll learn how clinical biochemistry uses blood and other fluids to diagnose disease. You’ll study how blood is made, blood transfusions, and how blood components are used in treatment.
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Molecular Medicine (30 credits)
How do molecular technologies help us understand health and disease? In this module, you’ll explore the molecular technologies that power modern diagnostic and research techniques. You’ll study clinical genetics and learn how bioinformatics helps apply this knowledge to healthcare. You’ll also learn the basics of research, including how to analyse data using statistics. Additionally, you’ll study drug metabolism, monitoring, and toxicology, and how these affect patient outcomes.
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Contemporary Clinical Research (30 credits)
How does research shape our understanding of biomedical and clinical science? Dive deep into a current area of biomedical or clinical research and develop the skills to write a detailed literature review on a specific topic, learning how to critically evaluate published research and the methods used. You’ll also study the peer review process and focus on the research techniques that drive the discoveries in your chosen area of study.
Placement year (optional):
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Clinical Placement (120 credits)
What’s it like to work in an NHS lab? In this module, you’ll gain real experience in an NHS laboratory related to your area of study. You’ll start developing the skills, knowledge, and professional behaviours needed for safe and effective scientific practice. You’ll learn why quality checks, teamwork, and good communication are essential for delivering high-quality, patient-centred care. This module supports your progress toward becoming a registered Biomedical Scientist, following the standards set by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the NHS Practitioner Training Programme (PTP).
Final year (national level 6):
Core modules
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Healthcare Science Research Investigation (30 credits)
How can you apply your learning to real-world research? In this module, you’ll use the knowledge and skills you’ve gained so far to design and carry out your own research project. This will help you grow as an independent scientist and showcase your ideas. Your project could focus on scientific or clinical research, translational research, policy or service development, or even innovation in the biosciences.
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Employability Skills for Biosciences (15 credits)
How can you prepare for a successful career in biosciences? In this module, you’ll explore the key skills and strengths you’ve developed during your programme and learn how to communicate them effectively for job applications. You’ll also discover the wide range of career opportunities available to biosciences graduates. Personal development will be a key focus, with an emphasis on student-led learning and self-reflection to help you get ready for the world of work.
Optional modules (choose five):
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Cellular Pathology (15 credits)
In this module, you’ll study pathological specimens and learn how tissue histology helps in diagnosing diseases. Using case studies and interactive learning, you’ll explore each disease from the perspectives of both patients and clinicians. You’ll also gain an understanding of how diseases show up at the clinical and cellular levels.
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Clinical Biochemistry (15 credits)
How do we diagnose disorders of metabolism and body balance? In this module, you’ll study disorders related to acid-base balance, electrolytes, and the endocrine system. You’ll learn about clinical tests used in paediatric biochemistry, neonatal screening, and cancer detection. Through case-based learning and practical labs, you’ll evaluate the procedures used in biochemical investigations. You’ll also learn to interpret clinical and lab data to diagnose biochemical diseases.
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Human Genetics and Genomics (15 credits)
In this module, you’ll explore the human genome and how gene activity is regulated. You’ll learn about the genetic causes of diseases and how this knowledge is leading to new treatments like gene therapy and genome editing. You’ll also study key advancements in clinical genetics, such as whole-genome sequencing and its role in personalised medicine. The module will cover how genetic testing helps predict drug responses, improving treatments for patients.
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Medical Microbiology (15 credits)
How do microbes cause infection and how can we fight them? In this module, you’ll explore the molecular basis of how bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses cause infections. You’ll study how antibiotics work and why some bacteria become resistant. You’ll also learn how infections are diagnosed using both traditional and modern methods, and how bioinformatics tools are used in medical microbiology. The role of epidemiology and public health in controlling outbreaks will be covered, along with safe lab practices for handling harmful microorganisms.
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Clinical Immunology (15 credits)
In this module, you’ll explore how the immune system decides between fighting infections and maintaining tolerance. You’ll study how the immune system interacts with cancer and how infections can lead to allergic and autoimmune diseases. You’ll also learn how to assess strategies that modulate the immune response to improve human health. Through lab work, you’ll test and analyse data to diagnose immune system defects.
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Haematology and Transfusion Science (15 credits)
How do blood and bone marrow disorders affect health? You’ll study diseases caused by problems with the bone marrow or blood cells, such as anaemia, cancer, and bleeding disorders. You’ll learn about the safe preparation of blood products and how they’re used in treatment. Through practical work and case-based learning, you’ll explore lab procedures for blood investigations and transfusion science. You’ll also interpret clinical and lab data to diagnose blood-related diseases.
Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.
