BSc (Hons) Medical Science

Want to make your stamp on eradicating some of the world’s major diseases? In this module you’ll discover how the biochemistry of eukaryotic cells plays an intrinsic role in the function of cell biology, with a special focus on mammalian tissues. You’ll be introduced to a number of key experimental procedures and laboratory techniques which will enable you to explore the chemical nature of the compounds in these highly fascinating cells, enlightening your knowledge on cellular processes.

You’ll develop an in-depth understanding of the biochemical events that occur when these cellular processes fail and give rise to diseases. You’ll also deepen your knowledge on both a cellular and systemic level, and absorb yourself within the enthralling biomedical diagnostic techniques delivered by leading experts in the field, equipping you with vital skills for the world of work.

In this module you’ll focus on the functional aspects of cells, molecules, tissues and organs at a whole-body level, and how these concepts can be applied to human health and disease.

Your study will focus on systems physiology, respiratory systems, cardiovascular, renal, endocrine, and autonomic nervous systems. You’ll discover how these systems can behave in an integrated and interdependent way.

Did you know that blood pressure is regulated by both the cardiovascular system and the kidneys, and blood pH by both the lungs and the kidneys?

In this insightful module, you’ll explore the mechanisms by which these individual systems are integrated and the response to any physiological disturbance. On completion of this module, you’ll have a greater understanding of how integrated physiology supports biotech, agriculture and medicine.

Interested in pioneering clinical research methods and taking healthcare sciences forward to the next level? Bioscience research approaches will train you to turn the complex analytics of the whole clinical research development cycle into meaningful specialist knowledge, allowing you to understand and devise rich regulatory frameworks for academia, research establishments and the pharmaceutical industry.

We'll explore fundamental approaches to eukaryotic cell culture. You'll be introduced to potential applications of cell culture, including recombinant protein expression and genetic analysis. Acquire skills to gather and record information and communicate your ideas effectively to drive research forward and successfully improve commercialisation based on good clinical practice.

You’ll be supported by leading research supervisors who will impart their latest knowledge on research ethics, biological and chemical hazards and teach you key principles to support your career aspirations.

Our ability to understand how to treat and cure disease, and to positively impact human health across the globe is the reason why many scientists strive to understand the science behind haematology and immunology. You could be joining that mission. The concepts you’ll learn in this module will equip you with the fundamental knowledge of cells, molecules and genes involved in the blood and immune system. You’ll be introduced to how these components can protect us, however, can also have the ability to harm us and contribute to disease.

You’ll explore the mechanisms and therapies in identifying and diagnosing blood diseases and clinical blood disorders. In addition, you’ll study the experimental working methods used in the discovery and development of novel drugs and preventative vaccines, and find out how these therapies can improve human health and transform immune systems.

How are our genes passed from one generation to the next? How does DNA play a role in our genetic makeup? And what is the science behind evolution on earth? All these questions and more will be answered in this encapsulating module exploring the field of genetics.

You’ll gain specialist knowledge on real-world biomedical applications and computational analyses techniques, which will provide the perfect foundation to your further studies. You’ll benefit from gaining specialist knowledge from experts in the field. Whether it’s healthcare, endangered species, or cancer research, as a graduate you can expect your skills to make a lasting impact on society.

You can extend your course by taking a sandwich year in a relevant professional role, during which you’ll remain registered as a student. We’ll support your continued academic development in the workplace (e.g. a research, pharmaceutical or hospital laboratory). You’ll gain insight from working in a professional setting and develop new practical and career skills, whilst contributing to the work of the professional team hosting you. You’ll organise the placement yourself, with our help and advice, e.g. by applying for advertised placements or finding suitable hosts.

You’ll need to fund associated expenses during your sandwich year, usually your placement will be salaried. For a career as an NHS Biomedical Scientist, as well as your BSc Hons in Biomedical Science, you must register with the Health and Care Professions Council via an Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) Certificate of Competence Registration Portfolio. A placement in an IBMS laboratory can give you this opportunity.

Investigating DNA and molecular concepts has never been so encapsulating. Learn about the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes alongside top scientists in the field, helping to address the world’s biggest challenges. Secure knowledge on the latest experimental evidence supporting cutting-edge concepts and laboratory techniques.

You’ll gain a solid insight into the most up-to-date biomedical applications and modern molecular tools used to implement recombinant DNA techniques and DNA sequencing, complementing the Genetics Module. Your learning journey will be supported into the Biomedical Science and Medical Science employability routes, for which there is a growing demand, and you’ll be thoroughly guided by leading specialists on making successful job applications for those who embark on placement work experience.

A Research Project is your chance to do brand new research and find out what it’s really like to be a professional scientist – gathering, considering and evaluating data, then communicating it clearly and critically to others. This is the pinnacle of your degree, working with a supervisor (and possibly others) to collect novel scientific data about a specific topic. You are likely to use a range of theoretical, experimental and/or bioinformatics methods or you may use tools such as data mining, patient or volunteer surveys, questionnaires and other forms of investigative research.

Projects allow you to make the transition from student to professional, building on all you have learned to develop and practice a range of superior skills and abilities. Working largely independently you will gather, analyse and present your findings, and argue your conclusions to others in a clear and well-written formal report.

In this module, you’ll gain an insight into a full range of pathological processes, and their effects on the human body. In particular, you’ll be focusing on the pathogenesis, pathology and pathophysiology of common cardio-pulmonary disease conditions including obstructive and restrictive lung disease, heart failure and obstructive sleep apnoea. You’ll learn how to make meaningful connections between physiological principles and pathophysiological mechanisms. Furthermore, you’ll gain confidence in your abilities to problem solve with the opportunity to get hands-on with cutting-edge and controversial issues in the field through a combination of problem-based learning, case studies, student debates, hospital visits and guest lectures by medical and healthcare professionals within the field.

In this module, you’ll gain an indispensable insight into the mode of action of pharmaceutical drugs within the human body. You’ll explore how biochemistry is applied in hospital pathology laboratories for the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease. You’ll begin your study on the principles and applications of routine methods in clinical biochemistry. You’ll learn how to select the appropriate methods required to diagnose, monitor and treat disease as well as detect complications by investigating metabolic and clinical aspects of disease. You’ll be part of a discussion about heart, liver, bone, kidney, endocrine diseases, and inborn errors of metabolism. You’ll also explore the roles of the laboratory in screening for drugs of abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring and population screening.

Our understanding of the genome is constantly growing. In this module, you’ll be introduced to the fundamental elements of genomics, human genetics and genetic variation. You’ll explore genetics in connection to disease and how genomic medicine can be utilised in relation to disease mechanisms. You’ll get the chance to investigate the effects of gene mutations and variations in DNA sequences (gene polymorphisms) in human health, with an opportunity to join in on an in-depth discussion on linkage. In addition, you’ll learn all about personalised medicine and the role of a key enzyme in the liver (cytochrome P450) in the metabolism of drugs and toxicity.

Neuroscience examines the brain, which is responsible for our entire nervous system; including how we process formation which influences how we feel, behave and remember things. This module will give you a fascinating insight into the latest major research fields in neuroscience. At the beginning of the course, you’ll review the structure and function of the neurone, explore human neuroanatomy and the development of the vertebrate nervous system.

As you delve deeper, you’ll then focus on the development of the brain, and how neural systems give rise to sensory perception, learning and memory, speech and language, motor control, vision, sleep-wake cycling and circadian rhythm. You will have the opportunity to develop and carry out your own in-depth study on a particular interest in neuroscience research, which will be assessed by a series of case studies and a reflective journal based on a visit to Oxford University / OUH clinical neuropathology.

You'll learn about major theoretical and technological advances in Genetics and Genomics, and their significance in addressing challenges in biological and medical research. You’ll focus on the variation of population history, selection inference, and analysing variation in complex traits. You’ll also explore the use of comparative genomics and the evolutionary relatedness among groups of organisms (phylogenetics) to make connections between evolutionary relationships, and investigate genome evolution.

Your learning journey will encompass microbiomes in human health and ecosystems, and the study of gene function. You’ll get hands on with key techniques such as retrieval of data from public resources, population statistics, genome-wide association studies, gene annotation, transcriptome analysis, transcription factor binding prediction and characterisation of epigenetic modifications. You’ll devise a research programme addressing a current challenge in biological and medical science.

An exploration of the application of the Biomedical Science clinical specialisms to the diagnosis and treatment of human disease. These disciplines are at the leading edge of advances in diagnosis and therapy and we will examine their role in causation and treatment of a range of conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, diabetes and haemoglobinopathies. There is an emphasis on tutor-directed independent study and the consideration of evidence from the primary literature.

Investigating DNA and molecular concepts has never been so encapsulating. Learn about the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes alongside top scientists in the field, helping to address the world’s biggest challenges. Secure knowledge on the latest experimental evidence supporting cutting-edge concepts and laboratory techniques.

You’ll gain a solid insight into the most up-to-date biomedical applications and modern molecular tools used to implement recombinant DNA techniques and DNA sequencing, complementing the Genetics Module. Your learning journey will be supported into the Biomedical Science and Medical Science employability routes, for which there is a growing demand, and you’ll be thoroughly guided by leading specialists on making successful job applications for those who embark on placement work experience.

In this module, you’ll develop a fundamental understanding of biomedical, clinical, and epidemiological health-based research. Your new-found knowledge will support your decision making in health science. You’ll set your foundations for entering clinical leadership roles that require you to be able to assess and synthesise evidence using a variety of diagnostic tools which are currently applied in the health system. In addition, you’ll explore several key challenges in healthcare and identify how evidence can be used to shape health practice and policy. Your learning will incorporate tutor-led discussions, and a range of specialist speakers from both within and outside Oxford Brookes University.

This module will introduce you to exploring specific contemporary issues in bioscience research and will invite you to consider how these issues can be taken from the lecture room into the real world. You’ll get the opportunity to focus on two staff research areas, and will develop your understanding of key research priorities within biosciences. You’ll also develop your ability to critically evaluate key literature within your specialist focus area. On completion of this module, you'll be well equipped with the analytical and critical evaluation skills to work in a range of sectors in research.

You’ll focus on the development of your professional skills and personalise your career ambitions. You’ll select your study elements, which will allow you flexibility and draw upon your research expertise and links with external partners. Some of the wide range of topics you’ll cover will be relevant to your degree, such as advanced microscopy, protein biochemistry, species identification, geographic information systems, entrepreneurship or science communication.

You’ll gain hands-on experience on how to competently perform techniques, and you’ll hear from professionals working in the sector, who will provide an insight into their career. You will learn how you can make a difference in the world and existing job market with the new knowledge and skills you’ll gain. Self-reflection is encouraged on this module, and you’ll get the chance to demonstrate your learning through a written report, talk, poster, leaflet, protocol, or oral viva.