Biomedical Science BSc Honours

Your first year covers biomolecular, cells and human sciences as well as a module on professional practice in Biomedical Science.

This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the biomedical profession and employment opportunities. In addition, the module facilitates development of basic laboratory skills, safe laboratory practice, and appropriate administrative, communication and practical skills required for successful academic and professional progress, and to work in a clinical laboratory environment.

The module is designed to provide an understanding of different areas in biomedical science used to investigate human diseases. The module encompasses theoretical knowledge and laboratory training in medical microbiology, haematology and blood transfusion, genetics, and cellular science.

The module aims to provide you with an introduction to the classification, structure and function of cells and microbes and examples of disease that result from abnormal structure and/or function. Another key aim of this module is to enable you to acquire laboratory skills required to study cells and microbes.

This module aims to provide you with the knowledge and understanding of human anatomy and physiology required to underpin your future learning. The unifying theme of homeostasis is used to show how a healthy structure and function are maintained and how failures of homeostasis can result in disease.

This module provides you with the skill and underpinning knowledge to pursue further studies in biological and biomedical sciences. Particular emphasis is placed on the basic principles of biochemistry for life sciences and genetics.

You will explore criminal law, tort, contemporary criminological theory and victimology. You will also be able to choose between EU law and UK and European Human Rights as an elective. However, if you wish to become a barrister, then you must choose EU law.

The module aims to provide you with the skills necessary to plan, implement, analyse and report project-based work, with the focus on preparation for the final year project module. The module also develops your core research skills fundamental to a scientific research design, irrespective of discipline. Specific research skills include analytical techniques appropriate to your course requirements.

This module aims to provide you with the knowledge and understanding of disease processes and most common diseases. It also examines the multidisciplinary nature of disease investigation, management and prevention.

This module introduces methods that are used to investigate infections. You will become familiar with aseptic techniques and culturing, isolation, enumeration, and observation of infectious agents in microbiology laboratory. This module also aims to you with understanding of the principles and practice of microbiological test procedures used to diagnose infectious disease and the methods used to control spread of infection.

The module aims to expand thinking around victimisation and consider this topic from a broader perspective, assessing societal responses to victimisation and who we believe to be a victim.

The module will explore multiple crime types such as sexual and domestic violence, homicide, sex work, hate crime, financial crime; state crime and other types of crime, comparing and contrasting different theories and perspectives in relation to the concept of victimisation.

In addition, the module aims to develop your reflective learning skills by reflecting on your learning and formulating feedback for the work of others.

The module aims to provide you with a working knowledge of the principles and practice of blood sciences and to gain experience in the application of commonly used techniques.

The module aims to provide you with a working knowledge of the principles and practice of cellular pathology and to gain experience in the application of commonly used techniques and the delivery of cellular pathology services. Emphasis is placed on the use of histological equipment, and on routine and special staining techniques for the demonstration of pathological conditions.

The overall aim is that you understand and gain experience in the principles, practice, quality assurance and applications of commonly employed methods of molecular biology and genetics used in the investigation of disease.

In your final year, you will take specialised modules in transplantation, blood transfusion, clinical biochemistry and medical microbiology or cellular molecular pathology. You will also take a final dissertation project this year.

You may take a year-long placement either after year 2 or year 3 of your study. See our placements section for further details.

This module will reinforce and expand on your year 1 and 2 modules. The overall aim is that you understand and gain experience in a range of core and specialised methods and techniques from across the blood sciences with applications to immunology and specialist biochemistry, understanding their importance in the clinical investigation of patients.

This module will build on the skills you acquired when undertaking a Research Methods and Professional Practice module and from the knowledge gained throughout the course to date. Further development of analysis, critical thinking and scientific literary style will be promoted. You will pursue areas of individual interest in the subject area appropriate to your target award and have the opportunity of gaining increased theoretical and practical knowledge in a chosen specialist field. You will gain individual research experience in an area that may provide future employment opportunities. Personal responsibility for your own learning through self-directed study and supervised preparation will be fostered. This is an integral part of the degree programme, furthering the development of skills in critical analysis and reflection.

This module aims to provide you with a critical understanding of pathogenicity and emergence of bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infections. In addition, you will become familiar with the principles and practice of laboratory and point-of-care test procedures used to diagnose infectious disease and monitor the effectiveness of the treatments. You will also gain an insight into the methods used to control infections in healthcare settings and in the community.

The aims of this module are to develop the student’s knowledge and appreciation of the principles of cellular and molecular pathology. Emphasis is placed on the range of pathologies affecting a number of organ systems, the diagnostic strategies and skills used to identify them.

This module will further develop your advanced understanding of macroeconomics.

In this module, you'll develop an advanced understanding of and ability to use econometrics.

This module will further developing your advanced understanding of microeconomics.

In this module, you'll learn theories relating to international trade and economic growth and how they are being applied in an increasingly interdependent world.

Through this module, you'll develop knowledge of firm strategic behaviour in markets such as market concentration, monopoly power, price discrimination and firm strategic interaction in markets.

Through this module, you'll develop knowledge of firm strategic behaviour in markets such as market concentration, monopoly power, price discrimination and firm strategic interaction in markets.

Through this module, you'll develop knowledge in microeconomic theories that can be used to explain and predict problems in economic development faced by developing countries and labour economics.

This module will allow you to smartly apply traditional micro and macro-economic theories to explain modern lucrative business operations in the entertainment and sports industries.

In this module, you'll gain an understanding of how businesses would be affected by government’s changing monetary policies.

The internship module gives you the opportunity to undertake a period of work experience for a minimum of 30 days. This will facilitate you to gain an insight into the world of work and appropriate conduct at work, and the process of becoming and staying employable through assertiveness, continuing development and reflection on both your development and the link between theory and practice. You will also develop an understanding of the organisation, sector and the environment in which it operates.

Year 4 - Applied Biomedical only

The module will provide you with an opportunity to develop and then consolidate your knowledge and understanding of the day-to-day management and routines of hospital pathology laboratories. In addition, you will be able to acquire the knowledge and skills required for registration as biomedical scientists with the Health and Care Professions Council and prepare for the IBMS assessment of their Registration Portfolio.

You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience.

The team includes academics, medical doctors, professional practitioners, and technical staff. Graduate teaching assistants or trained PhD students and Students Learning Assistants will support teaching sessions.

The course combines practical sessions with lectures, seminars and workshops. Sessions in our laboratory facilities, which feature new-generation equipment, provide you with the space to understand key principles, techniques and applications, allowing you to investigate patient conditions and provide diagnoses.

Seminars and workshops are a great opportunity to discuss what you have learnt with your peers and tutors. Most seminar groups have about 30–40 students.

Your work will be divided into credits. Each credit is equal to 10 hours of study time. You will complete 120 credits per year of study, which are broken down into modules of typically 15 or 30 credits.

Your learning will be supported by using interactive teaching platforms and virtual labs providing a realistic laboratory experience. You'll have access to several online learning tools which can be used at your own pace, and in your own time.

You'll work on problem-solving exercises and patient case studies, take part in class discussions and presentations, and build up a portfolio of work. You'll do some work in groups to straighten your collaboration and leadership skills. An important part of the course involves designing and undertaking your own research project in your final year. You'll also undertake personal study in your free time.

Research

Multidisciplinary research at Middlesex University focuses mainly on cancer diagnosis and therapy, reproductive biology, blood disorders, immunology, medical microbiology and medical engineering.

You'll develop your skills on the newest equipment in our Sciences and Technology facilities which include microbiology and molecular biology labs, a bioscience suite, cell and tissue culture labs, Centre for Investigative & Diagnostic Oncology, mass spectrometry and analytical facilities.

In your final year, you will be working with one of our Research Groups on a dissertation project:

• Diagnostic Biomarkers Research Group
• Molecular Biology group
• Biophysics and Bioengineering group
• Reproductive Biology group.

You will be studying at our leafy north London campus in Hendon.

Whether you are studying full or part-time – your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study.

We aim to make timetables available to students at least 2 weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus laboratory sessions.

Typical weekly breakdown

During your first year, your weekly timetable will typically consist of:

• 5 hours lectures
• 5 hours seminars or workshops
• 1 hour of supervised practicals.

Teaching vs independent learning

Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework, presentations and exams.

Your independent learning is supported by the library and study hub, laptop hire, and with online materials in MyUniHub.

Here is an indication of how you will spend your time:

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Our excellent teaching and support teams will help you develop the skills relevant to your degree from research and practical skills to critical thinking. And we offer free 24-hour laptop loans with full desktop software, free printing and Wi-Fi to use on or off campus, even over the weekend.

Your learning will be assessed regularly. The exact balance will depend on the modules you are taking. The table below is a good guide.

We'll test your understanding and progress with informal and formal tests including closed book on-campus exams.

The informal tests usually take place at least once per module, from which you’ll receive feedback from your tutor. The grades from these tests don’t count towards your final marks.

There are formal assessments for each module, usually at the end, which will count towards your module and your final marks.

Assessments are regularly reviewed and may be updated based on student feedback or feedback from an external examiner.

To help you achieve the best results, we will provide regular feedback.