BSc (Hons) - Medical Biosciences

Year one

• Introductory Biochemistry
  Discover the essential molecules that support life. You’ll learn how proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids function within cells and how these chemical processes underpin human biology. This module provides the foundation for understanding metabolism, cell communication, and disease mechanisms.
• Cell Biology
  Explore how cells are organised and how they grow, divide, and specialise to form tissues. You’ll study key cellular components and how they work together to maintain life. You’ll also examine how mistakes in these processes can lead to cancer or developmental conditions.
• Human Anatomy and Physiology
  Gain a clear understanding of how the human body is structured and how it functions. This module focuses on major systems such as the musculoskeletal, nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. It provides essential background for understanding how diseases affect different parts of the body.
• Introductory Immunology and Microbiology
  Learn about microorganisms—including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites—and their roles in health, disease, and industry. You’ll also be introduced to how the immune system protects the body from infection. You’ll begin to understand how vaccines work and why infections spread differently in different environments.
• Molecular Biology
  Explore the fundamentals of genetics and inheritance, including how DNA mutations arise and how they contribute to disease. You’ll also gain insight into techniques used to study genes. This module prepares you to understand topics such as genetic testing, cancer biology, and biotechnology.
• Practical Laboratory Science
  Start developing the lab skills every biological scientist needs. You’ll learn how to carry out experiments, use scientific equipment safely, and begin interpreting your own results. These skills will support all your other modules and prepare you for more advanced lab work in future years.

Year two

• Exploring Research
  Develop the skills needed to design, conduct, and interpret scientific research. You’ll explore both quantitative (numerical) and qualitative (descriptive) methods used in biomedical studies. This module prepares you for your final-year research project and helps you critically evaluate published scientific work.
• Human Genetics
  Study how the human genome is organised and how genetic differences between people can influence health. You’ll explore how specific mutations are linked to diseases and inherited conditions. This module introduces the basis for modern genetic testing, including personalised medicine and genetic counselling.
• Infection and Immunity
  Learn how the immune system recognises and responds to infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. You’ll also explore what happens when the immune system malfunctions, as in allergies or autoimmune diseases. This knowledge is vital for understanding vaccines, global pandemics, and immune-based therapies.
• Medical Microbiology
  Discover how infectious diseases are caused, spread, and treated. You’ll study the biology of major pathogens, how they interact with the body, and how we diagnose and prevent infections. You’ll also explore real-world issues such as antimicrobial resistance and hospital-acquired infections.
• Pharmacology and Physiology
  Learn how medicines work in the body and how the nervous and hormonal systems control vital functions. You’ll study how drugs interact with receptors and affect processes such as heart rate, breathing, and digestion. This module links basic science to clinical treatments, helping you understand how drugs are used to manage disease.
• Cellular and Molecular Pathology
  Explore how cells and tissues are examined in the lab to diagnose disease. You’ll learn about sample collection, tissue preparation, and how changes at the cellular level can reveal disease processes. You’ll also gain insight into what happens to cells after death and why tissue preservation is so important in pathology.

Year three

• Integrated Biomedical Science
  Bring together everything you’ve learned to understand how different laboratory specialities work together in diagnosing and managing disease. This module emphasises the importance of teamwork across disciplines such as biochemistry, microbiology, and pathology. It helps you see how the different areas contribute to patient care in real clinical settings.
• Clinical Biochemistry
  Study how blood and other body fluids are analysed in the lab to diagnose and monitor disease. You’ll explore markers of organ function, hormones, and metabolic imbalances. This module shows how lab results help guide doctors in making treatment decisions for a wide range of conditions.
• Haematology and Transfusion Science
  Explore the structure and function of blood and how it changes in disease. You’ll study how we diagnose blood disorders and how blood is safely matched and prepared for transfusion. This is essential knowledge for anyone interested in hospital laboratory work or blood donation services.
• Dissertation module
  Carry out an independent research project on a biomedical topic of your choice. You’ll design experiments, analyse data, and write a scientific report with guidance from an academic supervisor. This module helps develop your skills in critical thinking, time management, and scientific communication—key for both careers and postgraduate study.
• Parasitology (Optional)
  Learn about the biology and impact of parasitic infections affecting humans and animals. You’ll study important parasites, how they are transmitted, and how they can be treated or prevented. This module is especially relevant for those interested in global health or tropical medicine.
• Toxicology (Optional)
  Explore how chemicals and drugs can be harmful to humans and the environment. You’ll study how toxic substances affect organs, how poisons are detected, and how safety levels are assessed. It’s ideal for students interested in environmental health, pharmaceuticals, or forensic science.
• Advanced Genetics (Optional)
  Study how modern genetics is applied in healthcare, biotechnology, and forensic science. You’ll explore how gene editing, molecular diagnostics, and personalised medicine are transforming patient care. This module also highlights the latest breakthroughs in genetic research and the ethical challenges in the field.