Biomedical Science with Foundation Year - BSc (Hons)

In this module you will be taught a range of fundamental scientific skills that you will apply and develop across the course. You will embark on a range of instructional and investigative laboratory practical's designed to introduce you to scientific instruments that are commonly used in biology labs.

During these experiments you will generate your own data, which you will be shown how to analyse appropriately. When generating any kind of data, it is important that replicate measurements are taken to ensure that the results are reproducible, and that the methodologies and technologies used to generate the data are reliable and consistent and this will be discussed in the module.

You will be taught to apply basic scientific numeracy and data handling skills, and how to write using scientific conventions. These skills will be further developed as you process from the degree course.

Biochemistry is the study of the fundamental chemical and molecular reactions that occur within living organisms. The aim of this module is to introduce you to structure/function relationships of key biological molecules, as well as the fundamental biochemical reactions that occur within the human body. The module is delivered in 5 broad themes covering:

• properties of water, pH and buffers
• nucleic acid structure and function
• protein structure and function
• carbohydrates and lipids
• enzymes and metabolism

As well as learning fundamental concepts and theory in biochemistry, you will develop a range of practical skills with relevance to a range of careers in life sciences too.

You will be taught through a series of lectures, interactive workshops, and laboratory classes. Labs will cover methods of protein isolation and purification, protein separation and detection by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting, as well as methods for measuring enzymatic activity. You will learn how to analyse, interpret, and present the data you obtain in the lab.

Cell and molecular biology are key disciplines within the biosciences. This module will introduce you to the ‘cell’ as a fundamental unit of life. You will learn about cell structure and function in the context of the tissue that cells belong to, protein synthesis and trafficking, cell communication and cell signalling, the cell cycle and programmed cell-death, and the significance of stem cells.

In this module you will also learn the fundamentals of genetics and molecular biology. You will learn about the structure and function of genes, genome organisation, gene expression and its regulation, and patterns of inheritance.

This module introduces you to the world of microbiology. The diversity of microorganisms, their habitats and relationships with humans will be explored. This module examines the properties of microorganisms, their structures and compositions and their interactions with the human body in health and disease. You will learn about how we grow different microorganisms, their classification and identification. You will be taught different methods of sterilisation, aseptic techniques, and their applications in clinical and industrial contexts. You will learn about the role of the microbiome in health and disease, showing how it can be manipulated to manage a range of clinical conditions. Towards the end of the module, you will also learn about the strategies used by pathogens to circumvent the body’s defences and how they cause damage to the host, resulting the symptoms associated with each pathogen. Finally, you will be given an introduction into viruses, fungi, and parasites.

This module will introduce you to the structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) of the adult human body. It aims to provide you with a solid grounding into the cells, tissues and organs that allow the different organ systems to function effectively, so that you can understand the pathophysiology resulting from dysfunction.

The pivotal concept of this module is homeostasis, the control mechanisms that ensure optimal functioning of the body in different conditions. You will build upon many of the concepts learned in the biochemistry, and cell and molecular biology modules, to develop a holistic understanding of body (dys)function. This will then be further explored in later modules, including cellular pathology and pathophysiology, and Integrated studies.

Pharmacology is the science of drugs and their effect on living systems. First defined in the 19th century, pharmacology began with studies of the biological effects of naturally occurring compounds. In more recent times, advancements in synthetic chemistry led to a revolution in the pharmaceutical industry, and in the science of pharmacology itself. These advancements have allowed the pharmaceutical industry to grow into a major contributor to the world’s economy, with estimates the industry is worth over £1000 billion annually, and employs over 70,000 people in the UK alone.

This module will cover key professional skills that Biomedical Scientists are expected to demonstrate in the workplace. Quality assurance is an essential function of any medical laboratory, and you will be introduced to Quality Assurance in Biomedical Science. You will learn about accreditation of medical laboratories, the role of UKAS and the application of relevant ISO standards. You will be taught about quality management systems, roles and responsibilities, audits, SOPS, competency, and training records, CPD, non-compliance reporting and root cause analysis. You will then apply your knowledge of quality assurance in subsequent modules in the course.

In addition to this, you will develop professional and transferable skills, that are widely applicable across the course, and in a broad range of careers. We will support you in refinement of critical thinking, and literature searching, as well as communication of science to both expert and lay audiences.

This module will build upon the level 4 Microbiology module and introduce you to the anatomy and function of the immune system and immunopathology. In the medical microbiology section, we will introduce you to key pathogenic microorganisms and how they cause disease. Indicative topics will include epidemiology, virology, skin infections, GI tract infections, CNS infections, respiratory tract infections, UTI and STD infections. As some infections can be life-threatening, one of the critical issues in clinical microbiology is the speed of reporting diagnostic test results. Therefore, you will review how cutting-edge, time-saving techniques are beginning to replace traditional culture-based methods.

You will also examine mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, antibiotic-sensitivity testing and antimicrobial stewardship strategies. The immunology section will introduce topics such as inflammation, innate and adaptive immunity, microbial defence mechanisms, antigen processing and presentation, antibody structure and function and complement. An overview of immune pathology will be provided in preparation for the 3rd year Clinical Immunology module.

Clinical biochemistry is concerned with the biochemical processes that occur within our bodies. As a discipline within Biomedical Science, it plays an important role in the prevention, diagnosis, and management and treatment of disease. Biochemical measurements can be performed on a range of clinical specimens and used to identify any abnormal functioning of the organs of the body. Clinical biochemistry may be used to investigate kidney, liver, heart, thyroid, and endocrine function for example, and the module will feedforward into the pathophysiology and cellular pathology modules in semester 2.

This module will introduce you to the underlying biochemistry of a range of different diseases, and the biochemical methods that can be used to investigate them. The module will include new point of care testing methods, and you will learn about the importance of quality assurance in the clinical biochemistry laboratory. You will also explore the role of clinical laboratories in therapeutic drug monitoring, and in detecting drugs of abuse.

Blood sciences or this case haematology and transfusion science are important disciplines within Biomedical Science and are a crucial part of medical and health care services. This module will provide you with an introduction to the components of human blood, the functions of the different cell types, and the disorders that affect them. You will also learn about the techniques used for the diagnosis and monitoring of blood disorders, the interpretation of clinical and laboratory data, and the essential features of modern clinical and laboratory haematology.

You will learn aspects of immunology and antibody production, inflammation, haemoglobin disorders, and blood cancers (leukaemia’s and lymphomas). In addition, you will learn about blood transfusion science and organ transplantation, and the safety measures associated with the storage of blood products.

Pathophysiology is the study of abnormalities and disturbances of normal physiological functions, caused or resulting from diseases and conditions, in living beings. The four components of pathophysiology; aetiology (causes), pathogenesis (process in which a disease develops, clinical manifestations (visible or detectable signs and symptoms) and treatment implications will be considered for several diseases and conditions.

The module will start with an understanding of the global burden of disease. Then you will be taught pathophysiology at the cellular level, including cell injury, aging and death, and inflammation. There will then be a focus on alterations caused by diseases and conditions in cardiac function, respiratory function, kidney function, gastro-intestinal tract, and neurological function.

In this module you will explore the various types of research that are conducted in the Biosciences. You will learn how to find, read, and interpret scientific publications, and how to use existing research to form new and exciting research hypothesis. You will also learn about the legal, ethical and safety issues that surround different types of research in biomedical sciences too. We will introduce you to bioinformatics and other forms of big data that drive many new advances in healthcare and policy.

In this module you will complete a substantial piece of independent research, with the guidance and supervision of an academic member of staff.

The module will provide you with an authentic experience of how scientific information is reviewed, and how novel information is acquired, analysed, and presented. You will be involved in the initial planning of the project, the continual project development, and be responsible for the communication of the research findings. It is an opportunity to apply the theoretical, research, and academic skills that have been acquired throughout the programme to answer novel questions. The project enables you to demonstrate initiative and creativity in your approaches to examining a specific problem or question. A range of project types are available to enable you to meet the learning outcomes; these may include laboratory-based and non-laboratory-based data collection, bioinformatics, questionnaire- based studies, or systematic reviews that are hypothesis driven and include an element of statistical analysis.

In this module you will explore a range of human diseases through the interdisciplinary study of cellular pathology, clinical biochemistry, clinical immunology, haematology and transfusion science, clinical genetics, and medical microbiology.

The module will provide you with a holistic understanding of the biomedical sciences by integrating and applying these various disciplines to analyse and solve complex clinical case studies. This would include an understanding of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and clinical management of disease. One of these case studies will be a simulated laboratory investigation of a clinical case, to provide you with an authentic experience of the workplace environment.

In recent years, the fields of genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics have reshaped the landscape of biological and biomedical research. This has not only deepened our understanding of fundamental biological mechanisms but has also paved the way for ground-breaking applications in personalised medicine, disease diagnostics, and the development of targeted therapies.

In this module you will develop an in depth understanding how genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics have contributed to our understanding of a range of diseases and is transforming the diagnosis and clinical management of disease. You will explore the principles and applications of personalised medicine, emphasising the role of human molecular genetics in tailoring medical treatments to individual patients. This will be supported with recent case studies, providing insightful illustrations of real-world scenarios, and offering recommendations for both diagnosis and treatment of disease

This module aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of a broad range of advanced immunology topics. The module will build on the foundation of immunology knowledge provided in the 2nd year of the course, layering over clinical elements including the dysfunctional immune system and the aetiology of immune-mediated disease. You will review the ‘bench-to-bedside’ approach that underpins advancements in immune-biotechnology, and will evaluate the principles of antibody engineering, vaccine development, and immunotherapeutic strategies. An understanding of current laboratory techniques applicable to clinical immunology services is provided in the form of workshops and practical sessions.

Globally, it is estimated there will be 2 billion people over the age of 60 by 2050. In the UK, around 18.2% of the population were aged 65 years or over at mid-2017, compared with 15.9% in 2007; this is projected to grow to 20.7% by 2027. This presents new and challenging issues in healthcare making it vitally important to understand how to manage the complexities of ageing. Many chronic diseases have age as a major risk factor, for example, in the UK women aged 65-74 are five times more likely to have COPD than those under 35, and men ten are times more likely.

In this module you will explore the concept of ageing and its clinical importance. You will look at the physiological changes that occur in the body as we age and the pathophysiology of chronic diseases. To help with this you will have the opportunity to learn about and gain experience in utilising some of the clinical tests that are employed to diagnose diseases associated with ageing. The aim is to develop an understanding of the ageing process and be able to provide ideas on how it may be possible to help people age more healthily.

Within the last decade, outbreaks and epidemics on the global scale have been experienced. These include the Middle East Respiratory Virus (MERS), Ebola, the Zika virus, SARS-CoV-2, Monkey pox and the 2022 hepatitis epidemics. From the 2023 WHO Health Statistics Report, 1.3 million new cases of HIV were recorded in 2022 alongside 10.6 million cases of tuberculosis and 1.65 billion cases of neglected tropical diseases. The socioeconomic burden of infectious diseases globally is huge and recent experiences with epidemics and the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the fragility of health systems globally as well as significant global healthcare inequities.