MSc
Biomedicine
Carry out your own clinical trials and biomedical research
Course Overview
Why take this course?
Extend your knowledge and practical expertise at a university with outstanding research strengths in the biomedical field.
The main theme of this course is the application of the natural science principles, especially in biology and physiology, to clinical medicine. It will enable you to develop your understanding of the design, conduct and interpretation of data from clinical trials.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Use our modern laboratories and state-of-the-art facilities to enhance your learning
- Benefit from our close links with the Portsmouth Hospitals Trust and other institutions allowing you to experience real clinical situations
- Tailor your studies with those of your area of desired practical specialisation
What opportunities might it lead to?
This course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and is designed to provide you with the necessary training, as well as facilitate the development of your theoretical and practical skills, so you will be able to pursue a scientific career.
Here are some routes our graduates have taken:
- scientific research
- teaching
- scientific writing and the media
- pharmaceutics
- instrumentation
- further study at medical school
I stayed in Portsmouth after I graduated from my first degree – I had such a good experience the first time round that I could not imagine doing my Master’s anywhere else.
Jo Lyle, health sciences student
Key Facts
- Duration
- 1 year full time
- Entry
A second honours degree (preferably upper second) or equivalent in life science (e.g. human biology, pharmacology, biomedical science, biochemistry). Applicants are likely to benefit if they have previous understanding of molecular biology.
English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 5.5.- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £7,500
International full-time students: £13,100
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- sci-pgrad@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 5550 - Department
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
Structure & Teaching
There are three mandatory units, one optional unit and a major research project, allowing you to design a course that most closely reflects your research interests.
Here are the units you will study:
- Integrated Pathology: This unit provides an understanding of the relationship between diseases and organ systems and disciplines of pathology in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. It will also advance your ability to critically assess current literature and integrate your knowledge into written and oral reports.
- Scientific Methods: You will cover the philosophical and ethical basis of bioscientific research, the processes of experimental design, practical skills in the application of scientific enquiry, critical awareness of experimental validity and how to measure this using statistical methods. You will also develop the critical skills required to evaluate and disseminate research of a publishable standard.
- Molecular Medicine: This unit looks closely at the molecular basis of disease, the clinical management of selected disorders, the current and emerging diagnostic, prognostic techniques and an appreciation of novel therapeutics.
- Review: You will have the chance to research and critically appraise a specific topic of biomedical science using a range of techniques. This develops the ability to critically appraise and synthesise information and will enhance your ability to communicate a scientific topic effectively both orally and in writing.
- Project: The final project makes up a third of the degree as it represents the culmination and synthesis of all aspects of the course. The project can be undertaken in a range of disciplines including molecular medicine, pharmacology, neuro-oncology or nutrition and sports science to name a few.
Depending on your interests, you can also study:
- Neuroscience
- Drug Development and Clinical Trials
- Integrated Studies in Oncology
- Nutrition and Health
Teaching and Assessment
Teaching is undertaken in small lectures, seminars and practical groups with tutorial sessions to support your coursework, study and revision. Our academic staff have expertise in clinical practice and research, and we provide a student-centred approach to teaching, with all units fully supported by online lecture and study materials.
How are you assessed?
You will be assessed through a combination of essays, presentations, formal examinations and portfolios depending on the unit topic. The final project also consists of a poster, oral presentation and a dissertation representing a novel contribution to biomedical science, and should be of publishable standard.
Facilities & Features
Centre for Simulation in Healthcare
Our Centre can be used to gain clinical experience in a safe, controlled environment
Laboratories
Use our advanced labs to explore new techniques in the diagnosis and treatment of disease
Specialist Software and Scientific Equipment
You'll have access to excellent equipment
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment
Centre for Simulation in Healthcare
Our aim is to enhance your learning and experiences through the use of innovative technologies. By mirroring the clinical setting, our Centre can be used to gain clinical experience in a safe, controlled environment. It has two patient simulation centres (one comprising beds with human patient simulators and the other a high-fidelity patient simulator), as well as a mock operating theatre and a laboratory simulation suit. You'll get the chance to build professional practical skills and be taught through real-life scenarios using simulated learning sessions.
Laboratories
Due to the significant practical element of the course, you’ll be spending a lot of your time in our pharmaceutical chemistry and microbiology laboratories. Using our advanced labs, you will be exploring the new techniques in the diagnosis and treatment of disease such as DNA-drug and DNA-protein interactions, as well as investigating drug development, targeting, biomaterials, pharmacovigilance and uses of natural products within medicine. This is one of our strongest areas of research and you’ll benefit from high-quality facilities to match.
Specialist Software and Scientific Equipment
We have an outstanding array of microscopy facilities and excellent analytical instrumentation facilities in our labs including:
- a formulation and drug-delivery lab
- confocal, electron and fluorescence microscopes
- chemical synthesis facilities
- live cell imaging
- spectroscopy equipment
- chromatography instruments
- molecular modelling facilities
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
There are many routes you can pursue within the medical field including research, the health services or industry. Your theoretical and practical skills will be especially applicable for research in health science or the pharmaceutical industry, and many of our graduates continue with biomedical research in their area of specialised interest.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- community/retail pharmacist
- hospital pharmacist
- NHS biomedical scientist
- medical writer/research executive
- development technician for prosthetics
- medical representative
Career planning
One of the benefits of studying at Portsmouth is the support that we provide to our Master's and Research Degrees students in career planning. Our careers and recruitment service – Purple Door – can assist you in career research and finding employment opportunities. Help is also available if you wish to find a part-time job while studying your degree. We offer our postgraduate students and alumni one-to-one appointments with a careers adviser, or an online service for those not able to travel back to the University. Our alumni can call on our career services for five years after graduation.
In addition, regular employability events offer you the chance to meet employers, find out about different career sectors and improve your applications or CV. The Graduate Summer Programme provides a range of guidance and employability seminars and workshops.