Biomedical Science – BSc (Honours)/MSci

At a glance

You gain a fundamental knowledge of how the body works and what goes wrong in various diseases. Case studies are used to link theory and practice. You also develop skills in the techniques that are used in the diagnosis and research into diseases on our extensive laboratory programme. There is an opportunity to apply your skills and knowledge on placement in a professional environment such as a hospital laboratory or in industry.

Key points
• Gain the IBMS-accredited degree which is a requirement to work as an NHS biomedical scientist.• Develop extensive laboratory skills on an unique laboratory programme and during a final year project.
• Gain work experience by applying for a placement year in hospitals or in industry to build your CV.
• Develop attributes valued by employers such as the ability to communicate and problem solve.

What is biomedical science?
Biomedical science is the application of biological science to medicine. Many biomedical scientists work within the NHS pathology service providing laboratory diagnosis of disease working in partnership with doctors and other healthcare professionals in order to determine the cause of and how to treat a patient’s condition. They specialise into one of several disciplines for example, medical microbiology where the diagnosis of, and research into infectious disease is carried out. Other biomedical scientists work in medical research where they may investigate not only the mechanisms of disease but also possible ways to prevent and treat disease.

For more information go to the Institute of Biomedical Science website.

This course

Gain the skills, knowledge and preliminary qualifications currently required to become an NHS biomedical scientist. You learn how to apply the latest biological science to fields such as medical diagnosis of disease and illness and research into causes of disease.

The course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science as a preliminary qualification for Health and Care Professions Council registration, required in order to practice as a biomedical scientist in the NHS.

Most of our teaching staff are active researchers. For example Dr Neil Cross works on the mechanisms which control cancer cell growth and Dr Christine Le Maitre's research involves the investigation of back pain. Both have excellent links with clinicians at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. This expertise allows us to feed the latest scientific developments directly into your course.

You start your studies by covering the science underlying the core disciplines of biomedical science including human anatomy and physiology, cell biology and analytical methods. In the second year you advance this knowledge by focusing more specifically on the core disciplines of biomedical science such as immunology and microbiology in addition to general pathology. You are taught using a case-based approach so you can understand how theory relates to practice.

In each of these years you get extensive lab training on our practical laboratory programme in facilities equipped with industry standard instrumentation to carry out procedures such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and tissue culture. At the end of each year you work on a mini project, investigating a set diagnostic problem using the skills gained through the year.

Once you’ve developed professional skills you are encouraged to apply for a placement to put what you’ve learnt into practice. Thanks to excellent links with a range of NHS hospitals you can apply for placements with a variety of hospitals• the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals • Doncaster Royal Infirmary • Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge • Royal United Hospitals, Bath. There are also placement opportunities for those interested in a career in industry or research for example at Abbot Diagnostics or Quotient Bioresearch.

You build on this experience in your final year covering major biomedical science subjects such as cellular pathology, microbiology and the blood sciences. You also undertake a research project. Previous project titles include ‘The Pro-apoptotic Effect of Rhubarb Juice Extracts on Leukaemia Cell Lines’ and ‘Identification and detection of MecA Antibiotic-resistant Determinants in Isolates from Different Hospital Environments’.

You are assessed using a variety of methods designed to test the skills you will need in the workplace such as • presentation and communication skills • team working • information gathering.

The optional transfer to the MSci qualification is suitable for students who achieve good marks during years one and two.

Key areas of study
The course covers all key disciplines within biomedical science as it fulfils the requirements specified by the IBMS for accreditation.

Institute of Biomedical Sciences accreditation statementThis course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Sciences who recently commended us on
• the excellent scientific content of our courses
• the supportive nature of the staff which provides a positive student experience
• the laboratory and teaching facilities, which provides an excellent learning environment

Research
The course is supported by research groups working in areas such as applications of tandem mass spectrometry, multiple sclerosis, medical microbiology, lower back pain and cancer. It is carried out in collaboration with local hospital trusts and in some cases with researchers in other countries.