Biomedical Science BSc (Hons)

• Reading and writing critically.
• Constructing and evaluating an argument.
• Note-taking techniques for reading and listening.
• Understanding plagiarism and academic integrity.
• Introduction to reflective practice.
• Preparing for, and delivering, powerpoint presentations.
• Referencing and citation.
• Summarising and paraphrasing written sources.
• Literature searching.
• Report writing.
• The culture and expectations of higher education.
• The assessment process including the role of assessment criteria and feedback.
• The nature of research journal publishing.

Whilst much of the content above is generic, students will be encouraged to situate skills within the context of the undergraduate discipline they are entering, which leads to some variation in emphasis for certain skills.

1.To raise awareness of the range of study skills required for successful higher education studies, including the process of academic writing, reading strategies, seminar skills, organisation of time and materials, planning for and meeting deadlines, understanding and responding to feedback.

2. To introduce students to concepts such as plagiarism, academic integrity and appropriate use of artificial intelligence tools.

3. To facilitate an effective transition into higher education by exploring, and providing guidance in, the key elements of successful undergraduate studentship including students' understanding of taking responsibility for their own learning.

4. To teach students how to undertake a literature, visual or data review for their discipline and be able to differentiate between a valid, reliable source and an unsubstantiated or irrelevant source.  

• Research and planning skills.
• Becoming familiar with topics that comprise their undergraduate degree subject.
• Developing a knowledge base for a discipline of study.
• Identifying areas of interest.
• Application and development of critical analytical skills.
• Development of self-directed study.
• Use of learning resources.

1. To develop students' skills in planning and writing an essay.

2. To familiarise students with the process of tutor supervision for a written piece of work.

3. To give students an opportunity to focus on a topic within their undergraduate degree subject.

4. To write a piece of work that allows the student to broaden and deepen knowledge on a topic of their choice.

5. To prepare and deliver an academic poster presentation outlining the student's research topic.

• Cells and organ systems
• Biologically important molecules and their role in physiological function
• Inheritance and selection
• Causes of disease and the maintenance of health
• The role of biotechnology in contemporary biology
• Biology in forensic science

1. To facilitate an understanding of biologically important molecules and their roles in cells.
2. To provide an introduction to some key physiological processes, the organ systems involved and their control via hormonal, nervous and genetic systems.
3. To foster an understanding of how organisms interact with their environment and vice versa, and the short and long-term consequences of these interactions.
4. To apply biological knowledge in the interpretation and analysis of contemporary biological contexts.

• Defining health in the 21st century
• Culture and health 
• The biomedical, social and biopsychosocial models of health
• Health inequality: definition, examples and impact
• Current health issues
• The emergence of the UK National Health Service
• Health promotion 
• Individual Health behaviours 
• Introduction to reflective theories (Nurses and Social Workers only)
• Introduction to big data (Life Sciences)

1. To introduce students to the social, biomedical and biopsychosocial models of health.

2. To explore contemporary issues in health care.

3. To consider the impact of inequality on health.

4. To explore examples of health promotion.

• Fractions, ratios and percentages
• Standard form, significant figures and scientific units and notation
• Errors and inaccuracies
• Basic algebra and its use in units and indices
• Shapes, volumes and area
• Graphs and equations of a line
• Using arithmetical functions in laboratory applications
• Statistics – variation and averages
• Statistical tests and their uses in the life sciences
• Symmetry in living systems
• Logs, exponential growth and rates of change

1. To provide a foundation-level knowledge of mathematics in preparation for progression to Level 4 of a Life Science degree.

2. To introduce students to fundamental concepts within maths using a selection of applications relevant to Life Sciences.

• Atomic structure and its influence on properties of elements
• Bond formation in chemical compounds
• Intermolecular forces and their effects on properties
• Calculating amounts in chemical reactions
• Carbon chemistry, functional groups and isomerism
• Rates of reaction
• Enthalpy change in reactions
• Equilibria
• Acids, bases and buffers
• Energy transfers in living systems
• Techniques in biochemical analysis

1. Develop an understanding of the arrangement of subatomic particles in atoms, and how these influence the properties and chemical behaviour of substances
2. Develop practical laboratory skills and procedures, including calculations of amounts
3. Understand the importance of carbon chemistry to living organisms
4. Describe energy changes that take place in reactions and the mechanisms of energy transfers in living systems
5. Describe the underlying scientific concepts and applications of some modern analytical techniques in biochemistry

The biology of cells of higher organisms to include their structure and function and synthesis of cell membranes and cell organelles.

Transport of molecules in, out and around the cell; endocytosis, exocytosis, vesicular transport, membrane receptors and intracellular signalling.

The cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix and movement of cells.

The cell cycle and its regulation.

Stem cells and differentiation.

Cell death.

Genetic basis of cancer and personalized treatment.

The module aims to give an understanding of the structure and function of eukaryotic cells, how they are regulated and some of their basic functions. 

Mendelian genetics.

Cytogenetics. 

Modern evolutionary theory.

Molecular genetics.

Transcription and translation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Regulation of gene expression.

The module is designed to provide students with an understanding of:

the basic principles and concepts in classical and modern genetics.

the application of genetic analysis to human disease.

bacterial genetics.

the processes of gene transcription and translation and how they are regulated in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Microorganisms - classification.

Applications of microbes in medicine and industry.

Bacterial, fungal and viral structures and growth.

Introduction to microbial pathogenesis.

Parasitic organisms.

Antibiotics and bacterial resistance.

Development of public health service and WHO.

Public water supply: sources, treatment and uses.

Microbiological issues relating to water quality and health.

Microbiological hazards in food – analysis of selected issues.

Investigation of microbiological food poisoning/infection.

Immune responses to infection

To give students an understanding of the variety of microorganisms and their cell biology.

To appreciate relationships between health, microorganisms and the environment.

To understand selected environmental health issues relevant to water and food microbiology.

To develop analytical skills in data handling and in appropriate practical investigations. relevant to human health. 

The study of the systems of the body at the organ and cellular level to include:

Nervous system.

Cardiovascular system.

Musculoskeletal system.

Digestive system.

Respiratory system.

Renal system.

Reproductive system.

Study the interdependence of the various systems in health and how homeostasis is maintained.

How cells communicate and send signals to other cells, hormones, cytokines, electrical impulses.  

To give the student a thorough knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the human body and how it works in health and how that healthy state is maintained at both organ and cellular level.

Literature & referencing skills

• Types of scientific literature and different writing styles
• Literature searching skills
• Reading academic literature
• When and how to reference (APA referencing style)
• Use of reference management software (e.g. EndNote)

Numerical skills

• Basic laboratory maths

Practical, analytical and data-interpretation skills

• Laboratory health and safety regulations
• Basic laboratory practical skills and techniques
• Recording and analysing data in the laboratory
• Data entry and spreadsheet design (Excel)
• Statistics – statistical significance and basic statistical tests
• Data entry and statistical analysis using appropriate software (e.g. SPSS or Jamovi)
• Interpretation of statistical analysis

Communication, presentation and IT skills

• Data presentation
• Forms of academic writing within life sciences and the use of appropriate scientific language
• Report writing (Word processing)
• Oral presentation skills
  (PowerPoint including audio capture function)
• Poster presentations

Professional development skills

• Independent and group work
• Time management
• Note-taking skills
• Revision skills
• Professional practice
• CVs, cover letters and interviews 

The main aim of this module is to introduce and develop skills relevant to life science students with a specific focus on the following areas: literature and referencing, numerical skills, practical and data-analysis skills, communication and IT skills and professional development skills. The module provides students with the opportunity to understand and develop key skills and concepts required to support the material covered in other modules at Level 4 and in preparation for more advanced study at levels 5 and 6.

Module contents

1. An overview of the chemical components of the cell
2. Amino acids and proteins
3. Lipids and carbohydrates
4. Energy in Biochemistry - thermodynamics, bioenergetics and the role of ATP
5. Properties of enzymes
6. Principles of metabolism and regulation
7. Glucose metabolism -glycolysis, gluconeogenesis and the Krebs cycle,
   etc
8. Mitochondria and the electron transport chain
9. Spectroscopic techniques in biochemistry – UV-visible, fluorescence IR, NMR and Mass Spectrometry
10. Protein structure and function
11. Protein and DNA purification methods

The module is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the structure, properties and function of biologically important macromolecules. It will also provide them with the concept of bioenergetics, enzymes and metabolism. additionally the use of spectroscopy in biochemistry and how macromolecules are purified will be covered. 

• • The nature of disease and pathology
  • Tissue damage and cell death processes
  • Basics of cancer biology, cancer detection and treatment
  • Haematology (functions & dys-functions of the blood)
  • Ageing and age related disease
  • Cardiovascular disease and obesity
  • Role of reactive oxygen species and cytokines in disease
  • Pregnancy related complications.

The module is intended to provide students with an introduction to the biology of disease that is applicable to human science. It will:

• Develop understanding of fundamental concepts of aetiology, pathology and epidemiology which may be applied in further studies.
• Review the causes and effects of a range of significant diseases, especially those prevalent in the UK.
• Provide an opportunity for students to develop written and presentation skills.
• Provide an opportunity to take on self-directed research of relevant topics.

Module content

1. Overview of metabolic regulation
2. Carbohydrate metabolism
3. Amino acid metabolism and the Urea cycle
4. Lipid metabolism and nucleotide metabolism
5. The pentose phosphate pathway and its role in red blood cells
6. Methods of studying metabolism and metabolomics
7. Rate controlling steps in metabolism
8. Allosteric enzymes and covalent modification
9. Metabolic control by hormones
10. Whole body metabolism and the role of the liver
11. Blood lipids in health and disease
12. Inborn errors in metabolism
13. Obesity and diabetes
14. Metabolic related clinical case studies

This module aims to provide the student with an understanding of key biochemical concepts such as regulation of enzyme kinetics, metabolic pathways (carbohydrate, protein and lipids), metabolic regulation, and pathological metabolism (including inherited metabolic diseases). The practical work aims to give students an opportunity to further investigate and reinforce knowledge of key lecture biochemical topics through practical sessions.

• Review of the major disease processes and their descriptive terminology.

• Risk factors for, classification and aetiology of the major diseases (e.g. disorders of the immune system, organ dysfunction, cancer).

• Clinical assessment, diagnosis and treatment interventions (medical and surgical) in the management of major diseases and disorders.

• Biochemical tests for selected disorders of organ function and human biochemistry.
• Interpretation of histological sections.

• Integration of physiological systems and their impact on disease progression and management, including monitoring of measurable outcomes.

• Specific classes of therapeutics, mode of action, distribution, metabolism, elimination.

A detailed understanding of diagnostics and medicine in a clinical setting.

An understanding of major diagnostic methods, therapeutic interventions and treatment strategies.

An appreciation of current research which underpins the evaluation and development of drugs in clinical and experimental settings.

The module will communicate pharmacological and bioanalytical knowledge relevant to the Biomedical Scientists and Health Care Professional.         

• Architecture of the human genome and genetic variation within it.
• Centre dogma, understanding the relationship between DNA, RNA and proteins.
• Gene regulation: enhancers, promoters, transcription factors, silencers.
• DNA sequence variation, type and frequency, e.g. single nucleotide variants, small insertions and deletions, copy number variation, rearrangements and tandem repeats.
• Genes and proteins, the flow of genetic information via transcription and translation
• Introduction to linkage, linkage disequilibrium and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
• Mutational mechanisms: how different types of DNA variants affect gene function or expression to cause disease.
• Correlation of genotype with phenotype.
• Genetic diseases, cancer therapy and biomarkers
• Measurements of DNA, RNA and Protein.
• Modes of inheritance for clinical manifestation of human variation.

This module will provide a clear understanding of the structure and variations in genetic material covering basic genetics and genomics. The module will review the measurement of and role of DNA, RNA and proteins in the cell and the relationship between them, this module will explore the architecture of the human genome, the functional units embedded in it (enhancers, promoters, introns, exons, and untranslated regions). The ‘Genomic Variation’ with respect to DNA sequence variation – including single nucleotide variants (SNVs), insertions and deletions (indels), copy number variants (CNVs) and chromosomal aneuploidies – and how variation arises and is structured across the genome,. The module will also review fundamental concepts in genomic medicine, including the resultant of phenotypic changes, pleiotropy and heterogeneity in disease such as cancer. 

Fundamentals of immunology.

Innate immunity.

Specific acquired immunity.

B cells and Antibodies.

Membrane receptors for antigen.

Antigen specific recognition.

The anatomy of the immune response.

Lymphocyte activation.

The production of effectors.

The regulation of the immune response.

Development and trafficking of immune cells.

Applied immunology.

Immunopathology.

Immunodeficiency.

Allergy and other hypersensitivities.

Autoimmune diseases.

This module covers the major topics in cellular and molecular immunology, including antigen recognition, antigen processing and presentation to B and T cells, the molecular events leading to the generation of antibody and T cell receptor diversity, antibody effector functions, the role of CD4 and CD8 T cell subsets and NK cells in immune responses, self-tolerance and autoimmunity, the inflammatory response and the role of immunity in protection against pathogens. The module will allow core immunological principles to be utilised in developing research proposals.

Support lecture programme (which will include seminars and professional visiting lectures).

Professional and regulatory bodies related to the practice of Biomedical Science (Institute of Biomedical Science, Health & Care Professions Council).

HCPC standards of proficiency for Biomedical Scientists.

Medical Laboratory Accreditation and quality control (United Kingdom Accreditation Service-UKAS & NEQAS)

Health & Safety (COSHH, SOPs, risk assessments)

Continued professional development.

Clinical governance.

Roles and experience within the NHS (including MLA & AP, STP - Clinical Scientist & NHSP experience).

Clinical statistics, time and record keeping.

Reflective and evidence based practice.  

The laboratory sessions will cover the following pathology disciplines:

Clinical Biochemistry.

Haematology & Transfusion Science

Medical Microbiology.

Clinical immunology.

Molecular Biology & Genetics.

Cellular Pathology (Histology & Cytopathology).

Point of care testing.

Databases and Bioinformatics.

To develop an understanding of regulatory issues, health and safety, quality control, accreditation and the application of academic knowledge in a pathology and general laboratory context.

Students will gain experience of applying and developing skills in an appropriate and relevant setting to make students increasingly responsible for their own learning and encourage them to value and evaluate learning through experience.

A support lecture programme (which will include seminars and professional visiting lectures), will be available to students. It is expected the student will have opportunity to learn about the same content while on placement in the professional environment. 

Topics covered will include;
Professional and regulatory bodies related to the practice of Biomedical Science (Institute of Biomedical Science,
Health & Care Professions Council).
HCPC standards of proficiency for Biomedical Scientists.
Medical Laboratory Accreditation and quality control (United Kingdom Accreditation Service-UKAS & NEQAS)
Health & Safety (COSHH, SOPs, risk assessments)
Continued professional development.
Clinical governance.
Roles and experience within the NHS (including MLA & AP, STP - Clinical Scientist & NHSP experience).
Clinical statistics, time and record keeping.
Reflective and evidence based practice.

Databases and Bioinformatics.

The placement laboratory will aim to allow rotation between a minimum 3 of the following pathology disciplines:
Clinical Biochemistry.
Haematology & Transfusion Science
Medical Microbiology.
Clinical immunology.
Molecular Biology & Genetics.
Cellular Pathology (Histology & Cytopathology).
Point of care testing.

To develop an understanding of regulatory issues, health and safety, quality control, accreditation and the application of academic knowledge in a pathology and general laboratory context.

Students will gain experience of applying and developing skills in an appropriate and relevant setting to make students increasingly responsible for their own learning and encourage them to value and evaluate learning through experience.

The module offers students the opportunity to engage in extensive independent study with supervision from a tutor/s. Primary scientific sources should be used to a significant extent in addition to a thorough grounding in the secondary literature.

Students will be given an introduction to the Dissertation during the Professional Skills modules, where guidance will be given on procedures that need to be carried out before any data is collected, e.g. ethical permission and risk assessment.

In Level 6 a small number of lectures will take place during the module to advise on what is expected of students, how to present data and organise work. Students will mainly be prepared for the dissertation during modules in levels 4 and 5.

To enable the student to engage in empirical research and interpretation of a selected topic relevant to their programme of study through the scholarly use of primary and other sources.

This module will build upon content delivered in level 4 and level 5 microbiology modules. Topics discussed will include:

• Microbial pathogenicity.
• Defences against microbial attack.
• Antimicrobial and antiviral agents.
• Human commensal flora.
• Microbial diseases of selected organ systems.
• Laboratory detection of microbes of medical importance.
• Biofilms and quorate sensing.
• Infection control.
• Advanced epidemiology.
• Ethical issues in microbiology.

This module applies the principles and skills of experimental microbiology, discusses the role of microorganisms as causative agents of infectious disease and examines the ways in which they may be controlled. The module particularly builds upon information covered in the Level 5 module “Applied Microbiology”, and complements the Level 6 module “Clinical Medicine and Immunology".

Aims:

• To appreciate the relationships that exist between aspects of human biology and microbiology.
• To understand the factors that influence the establishment of infection and various methods of control.
• To understand the process of infection and its effects on the major organ systems.

• Normal blood cell populations - overview of immunology and haematology.
• Haematopoiesis and haemopoetic stem cells
• Blood science laboratory processes - flow cytometry and cytogenetics
• Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)
• Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)
• ALL and Car-T cell immuno therapy
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
  (MDS)
• Bone marrow transplantation
• Coagulation and bleeding biological processes
• Anaemias, haemorrhagic and thrombotic diseases
• Blood transfusion
• Pregnancy and neonatal haematology
• Research and clinical trials
• Screening, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of disease
• Methods of collection of clinical samples that may be subjected to biochemical analysis
• Principles and applications of biochemical investigations used for screening, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of disease, including near patient testing
• Therapeutic monitoring/ drug monitoring.

The module aims to build on previous knowledge of immunology and haematology and focuses on haematopoiesis, haemopoetic stem cells and how the malignant and non-malignant haematological diseases develop. The module will encompass various aspects related to haematology laboratory testing and diagnostic procedures including routine haematology, transfusion and coagulation.

Modification of learning outcomes to streamline the module and to address the external examiners comments

1 Genetic variation detection.

2 Autosomal dominant and recessive inheritance.

3 Sex-linked and nontraditional modes of inheritance.

4 Epigenetics.

5 Small non-coding RNAs in regulation of gene expression.

6 Omics: transcriptomics, proteomics, bioinformatics.

7 Genetic testing and gene therapy.

8 Genetics and precision medicine.

9 Clinical genetics and genetic counselling.

The aim of the module is to give students an appreciation of the clinical genetics specialist area in the biomedical sciences. The module will encompass various aspects related to clinical genetics such as the genetic basis of disorders, sign and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

1- Principles and practice of clinical immunology, screening and diagnostics

2- Immune diseases and their mechanisms, including systemic and organ specific disorders

3- Immunology of body systems, including neuroimmunology and pregnancy

4- Primary and secondary immunodeficiencies

5- Immunology of tumours and neoplastic diseases and Immunotherapy.

6- Transplantation.

7- Prevention and Therapy of Immunologic Diseases.

The aim of the module is to give students an appreciation of the specialist area of clinical immunology in the biomedical sciences. The module will encompass various aspects related to clinical immunology such as the immunological basis of systemic and organ specific disorders, clinical signs and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.