Biomedical Science BSc(Hons) (with integrated foundation year)

Course structure 

You will learn through lectures, fieldwork, group work, practical classes and independent study. Assessment involves the use of essays, exams, presentations, practical exercises and communication exercises, which vary between different modules.

Foundation year 

During your foundation year you’ll be introduced to key concepts in biology, chemistry and data handling to prepare you for study at undergraduate level. You’ll also develop your skills in problem solving, analysis and communication.

Modules

• Foundation Biology
• Foundation Chemistry
• Data Handling
• Study Skills

Year 1 

You will learn the foundations of biomedical science and be introduced to lab techniques used in professional practice.

Modules

• Essential Skills for Bioscientists

  This module will introduce you to the principles of the scientific method and a variety of study and communication skills that you’ll need utilise and develop during your degree. You’ll develop mathematical and statistical skills and apply them in the context of bioscientific data presentation and interpretation.

• Introduction to Genetics and Molecular Biology

  This module will provide you with a conceptual and procedural understanding of the modern evolutionary synthesis of natural selection, Mendelian inheritance and population genetics culminating in the emergence of modern molecular biology. The recognition of DNA as the archetypical material responsible for information transfer, the discovery of the mechanisms of information flow in biological systems (eg. transcription and translation) and the development and application of modern recombinant DNA techniques are also studied.

• Introduction to Biochemistry and Bioanalytical Techniques

  This module will introduce you to the fundamental concepts of biochemistry and the principle techniques that are employed in biochemical analysis. You will learn about the different classes of biochemical compounds and the structure and function of the macromolecules that are created from them. The structure and function of enzymes will be covered, as will the principle metabolic pathways. Additionally, you’ll explore the theory and practical use of the most commonly used biochemical techniques.

• Introduction to Human Physiology

  This module will introduce you to human physiology, including anatomical structure, function, the principal of homeostasis, neurological and hormonal control of the human body, its component parts and major systems, with appropriate examples of disease pathophysiology.

• Introduction to Infection Sciences

  This module will introduce to microorganisms and the components of the immune system. You will also learn about the main laboratory techniques used to grow, enumerate and identify microorganisms and to detect and identify components of the immune system. Programmes which screen healthy people for disease will also be investigated.

• Introduction to Biomedical Science

  The module will introduce you to the biomedical science profession in the UK, including the organisation of subject specific disciplines and the professional and regulatory structures. This will be set in the context of a broad perspective of biology of disease and techniques used in laboratory investigation in the pathology disciplines. There will be a focus on principles underlying selected laboratory techniques in Haematology and Clinical Biochemistry to investigate disease.

Year 2

You will build on knowledge gained in your first year, broaden your research and professional development skills, and explore topics that include diet and exercise, infection and immunity, human physiology, molecular cell biology, genetics and genomics, human biochemistry and metabolism.

Modules

• Research Skills and Professional Development
• Diet and Exercise in Health
• Infection and Immunity
• Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics and Genomics
• Intermediate Human Physiology
• Human Biochemistry and Metabolism

Placement year

An optional placement year in an accredited NHS training lab allows you to work towards the IBMS Certificate of Competence and the Registration Training Portfolio. Other placement opportunities prepare you for work in a range of scientific areas and postgraduate research.

Our students have secured placements in organisations such as GlaxoSmithKline, Public Health England and Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust.

Final year

The focus is more on the clinical aspects of biomedical science, including blood sciences, cellular pathology, clinical immunology and microbiology, and innovations in bioscience research. You will undertake a project linked with one of our research groups.

Modules

• Blood Sciences
• Cellular Pathology
• Innovations in Bioscience Research
• Clinical Immunology and Microbiology
• Biology Experimental Project

Facilities 

Our facilities include a dedicated microbiology lab with its own technical support team and preparation area, primary cell/tissue and secondary cell culture facility, molecular biology lab with access to rtPCR equipment and an Image Analysis Suite that houses electron microscopes, a confocal microscope and atomic force microscopes.

You will also benefit from access to a genomics/proteomics facility, allowing for analysis of cell genes and proteins.

Click to view a virtual tour of some of our biosciences facilities.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme for Medicine

All of the students on this course who fulfil the eligibility criteria are guaranteed an interview with the Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) if they want to pursue a degree in medicine.

Two versions of the scheme are available: the first allows you to transfer after year 1, and the second allows you to transfer after your final year. Both require you to take the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) in the year you apply.

Entry requirements (after year 1)

• GCSE grade B or equivalent in maths and English
• If English is not your first language, an overall IELTS score of 7.0 with at least 7.0 in all sections
• AAA at A-level, all obtained in one sitting (both chemistry and biology need to be passed at A-level with grade A; neither General Studies nor Critical Thinking are acceptable)
• If you took the International Baccalaureate, 36 overall with grade 6 in Higher level chemistry and biology
• Excellent term 1 class attendance record
• A 70% average for term 1 modules

Entry requirements (after the final year)

• GCSE grade B or equivalent in maths and English
• If English is not your first language, an overall IELTS score of 7.0 with at least 7.0 in all sections
• At least an upper second class degree
• A 70% average for year 2 modules

You also need to:

• take the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) in your year of application
• make a UCAS application to BSMS by 15 October in your year of application
• show evidence of healthcare-related work experience in your UCAS personal statement and
• have an excellent record of class attendance (80%) and assignment submission by deadline (if applying after final year).

Staff profile

Peter Bush, Course Leader

"I joined the University of Brighton in 2008 to lecture physiology. Now, as Biomedical Science course leader, it is my responsibility to make sure the degree remains relevant for the biomedical sciences, and provides our students with the opportunity to fulfil their potential and have varied and successful careers.

Alongside my academic duties I have a number of research interests, which help to keep my lectures informed and up to date. My research encompasses most things related to cartilage, including cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis, and the mechanisms of bone lengthening by growth plate cartilage. Our final year project students have the opportunity to be directly involved in these areas of study."

International requirements

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Why choose an integrated foundation year?  

This integrated, preparatory course is suitable for applicants with a wide range of backgrounds and qualifications who, for a variety of reasons, may not feel ready to begin study at undergraduate level. This may apply to mature students who have had a break from education and may have vocational experience in addition to academic qualifications. Students who do not have the subject-appropriate A-levels or equivalent qualifications for the undergraduate course may also benefit.

Course fees

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2019–20.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Local area

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Moulsecoomb campus map