Course overview

Biomedical Science provides an exciting opportunity to learn about the body in terms of both health and disease by utilising the important biomedical disciplines of molecular biology, histology, microbiology, immunology, haematology and biochemistry. Throughout each level of study, you have the opportunity to build a comprehensive understanding of the biology of disease and the scientific techniques and technologies that allow us to learn more about disease processes. The importance of current and emerging technologies in the pursuit of understanding is considered, and we discuss novel markers of disease that can aid us with the formulation of appropriate treatments and accurate prognostication. We train you to understand the philosophies and practice of biomedical research so you will be able to discriminate between good and poor quality research, understand how to construct your own robust scientific investigation and understand the contribution research makes to our understanding and treatment of human disease.

Course content

The academic year begins in September and the teaching period lasts until early May. Following the teaching period, an assessment period takes place where students are required to revise the year’s studies and demonstrate their understanding through examination. This period lasts until the end of May. Upon successful completion of the degree programme, final year students graduate in a formal ceremony in July.

Biomedical Science is a unitised course, with each unit carrying a set number of credits. Each unit will comprise a multiple of 20 credits and each student should expect to accrue 120 credits per level of study.

Year one

A general introduction to university level education and to the systems of the body and the diseases that affect them:

• Neuroscience and Pharmacology
• Cells to Systems
• Pathological Sciences One
• Introduction to Laboratory Research
• Graduate Skills and Careers
• Laboratory Skills

Year Two

Building on the knowledge obtained from the previous years, including a greater in-depth approach to the different biological disciplines:

• Research Methods
• Biomedical Toolbox
• Scientific Basis of Disease
• Pathological Sciences Two

Optional Units (two must be selected)

• Development: How Form and Function Changes
• Language
• Health Effects of Nutrition and Exercise
• Protein Science

Year Three

An in-depth view to the systems of the body and how they are affected in both health and disease:

• Integrated Pathology
• Genetic Basis of Disease
• Pathological Sciences Three
• Research Project

Optional Units (one of three must be selected)

• Clinical Research in Integrated Medicine
• Genes and Development
• Work Based Learning

Teaching and Assessment

Biomedical Science will be delivered using a student-centred approach including lectures, seminars, practical laboratory work and guided reading. All units are fully supported by online lecture and study materials. Students are also expected to attend regular tutorials.Most units are assessed by a combination of examinations and coursework. Coursework will be set throughout the year and students, where appropriate, are encouraged to submit draft work for formative feedback. Examinations are set within the consolidation and assessment period at the end of the academic year. In some situations, units are assessed by examination or by coursework alone.

Career prospects

Our Biomedical Science degree provides students with the opportunity to develop transferable skills ensuring that upon graduation, graduates are seen as valuable commodities within the employment market.

The University has a clearly articulated employability policy which provides a framework to allow students to develop many of the skills demanded by employers on a global stage. Our graduates are Scientists in training; they have the ability to manage their workloads, learning and others around them, but they also have well exercised analytical skills developed from three years of complex data analysis utilising a wide range of statistical methodologies. Students have the ability to critically evaluate the results of these analyses in the context of our current scientific understanding.

The University of Portsmouth prides itself on the number of international students recruited onto its courses and this provides students with the opportunity to understand the importance of cultural relationships and sensitivities, further improving employment prospects.

During the course of the Biomedical Science degree, student have the opportunity to use simulation, case studies and other forms of work-related learning to emulate professional practice. Throughout each level of study, students complete a personal development plan enabling them to critically assess their own skills and to identify those skills which require additional attention. An action plan is then produced to enable students to develop their skills, ensuring our graduates are fully prepared with the skills they require for postgraduate employment.

During the second year of the course, our students have the opportunity to study one of a number of language options to enhance their employability within the global market. Furthermore, the University subscribes to the Erasmus exchange scheme, where students may compete for summer research placements within a number of European Universities. This can be a fantastic opportunity to gather research experience in another academic institution whilst being immersed in a new and vibrant culture. This experience can prove advantageous when applying for postgraduate jobs and further studies in what is now considered to be a competitive market.

Biomedical Science students who graduate from the University of Portsmouth have the opportunity to enter a broad spectrum of professions including scientific research; teaching; scientific writing and the media; pharmaceutics; instrumentation; and some use this degree as a platform from which to begin studies at medical school. Many of our graduates choose to develop further academic skills by enrolling on MSc and PhD programmes of study encapsulating the academic interests they have developed throughout their undergraduate studies.

Facilities and features

You will have access to University wide resources, including dedicated modern laboratories, student support services, computer suites and our extended library, housing a diverse collection of journals and books.

In addition the University is proud of its expertise in Neuro-Oncology, Neurophysiology, Developmental Biology and Molecular Medicine. The Research Assessment Exercise 2008 illustrated that 85% of the research completed by the Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Science at the University of Portsmouth is internationally recognised. Students completing our BSc in Biomedical Science have the option to join one of our research groups and complete a final year project in one of these exciting and fast paced disciplines.

Many academic staff have expertise in clinical practice and research, a number have also contributed to text books in their area of interest.

Entry requirements

View all the entry requirements for BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science for the academic year 2013/14 (opens in new window).