Microbiology And Biochemistry

This unit introduces the study of microorganisms by considering their scope and diversity. A theoretical understanding of basic microbial cell structure and growth curves is covered and complemented by the practical component of the unit.
The subject of biochemistry will be studied in the context of the living cell. By completing the unit you will be able to understand general biochemical principles, the structures of a range of biomolecules and the relevance of biochemistry to the study of biological subjects.
Both microbiology and biochemistry are practical subjects therefore this unit is designed to enable you to develop practical competencies in the fundamental techniques used in them. These techniques include the use of the light microscopes, histological preparation, the development of good sterile techniques in the handling of micro-organisms, design of biochemical assays and chromatography for separation.
You will also develop awareness for the need of good laboratory practice (GLP).
Microbiology and Biochemistry are key disciplines that form the basis of many different science careers both within the NHS, and within academic research or biotechnology laboratories. This unit also underpins the subjects of immunology, biological chemistry, metabolism, biotechnology, pathophysiology and clinical biochemistry which will be studied at Level 5 and 6 of your course.

Human Anatomy And Physiology

This unit aims to provide a broad understanding of Human Anatomy, the study of the structure and relationship between body parts, and Physiology, the study of the function of body parts and the body as a whole. This Unit will focus on the link between form and function, and therefore their integrated relationship. It will provide the foundation required for further study in applied human physiology and related subjects in second year. The basic systems of the body and their interrelationships will be explored.

Human Anatomy and Physiology are fundamental disciplines relevant to medicine, life sciences and forensic science. Their study enables the identification and analysis of tissues and structural changes within them that allow for the diagnosis of disease.

Within the Human Anatomy and Physiology Unit you will learn about the relationship between structure and function, and integration and interdependence of all body systems.

Cell Biology

The unit provides an introduction to cell biology. You will cover the structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell types and make comparisons between them. You will learn practical aspects in the fundamentals of microscopy and how that informs our ideas of cell structure.

Aims of this unit are:

• To provide a basic outline of the  cell as the fundamental unit of life and how it impacts on all areas of biology.
• To introduce sub-cellular organisation, the variety of cell types and to relate cellular structure to function.
• Understand the basic ideas of cellular differentiation and specialisation from stem cells to terminally differentiated cells.
• To provide a basic understanding of cellular signalling and the immune system.

Molecular Genetics

This unit reviews and develops your knowledge and understanding of basic ideas and concepts in molecular genetics and so provides a foundation for many principles in the biosciences. The materials covered provide a foundation for the further study in a wide range of topic areas from biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, through to applications in forensic science.

The aims of the unit are:

to introduce the basics of molecular genetics;

to relate the processes of cell division with chromosome function and structure, and to develop an understanding of genetic inheritance;

to develop the ability to understand and interpret data in simple tables and graphs; and

to foster an awareness of safe laboratory practices and develop laboratory skills and effective group work behaviour.

Skills In Biomedical Science

This unit will introduce you to the study of biosciences at University level. It will develop a range of key study skills including the acquisition, analysis and presentation of data. This unit will orientate you around the available resources in the learning resources centre, and provide you with some basic information about career planning and organisation. 

The unit also contains discipline-specific skills relevant to becoming a competent biomedical scientist, as well as transferable skills valuable to alternative areas of employment. Practical classes will provide an introduction to basic laboratory techniques and report writing including concepts of accuracy, precision and reproducibility in measurement.

The key aims of this Unit are:

• To encourage you to think critically about your subject and engender a philosophy of critical self-appraisal allowing students to reflect and build upon your own learning experiences
• To provide you with an appreciation of working with others in a higher education setting and empower you to become a confident, independent learner
• To develop your ability to receive and respond to a variety of sources of information: textural, numerical, verbal and graphical
• To learn how to access relevant scientific information from a variety of sources and communicate the principles in an appropriate manner in assessments
• To allow you to record data accurately and appropriately from laboratory experiments
• To be able to analyse and report data from laboratory work and understand key concepts of accuracy, precision, reproducibility and uncertainty in scientific data

Chemistry

This unit reviews and develops your knowledge and understanding of basic ideas and concepts in chemistry and provides a foundation for many of the principles in biosciences. The material covered will be useful for subsequent studies of biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, food and nutrition, forensic science, pharmaceutical science and pharmacology units.

The aims of the unit are:

to provide a fundamental understanding of chemistry;

• to develop skills in report writing and to develop the ability to handle data and presentation in simple tables and graphs; and
• to foster an awareness of safe laboratory practices and develop laboratory skills and effective group work behaviour.

Skills In Science

Within the Skills in Science unit, you will develop and practice a number of key subject-specific skills essential to a career in science. These include the ability to select and apply appropriate statistical analysis; evaluate relevant research literature and identify areas currently lacking in our knowledge or application; the ability to propose both a hypothesis and a novel experiment to address this hypothesis (including statistical analysis where appropriate); and the understanding to identify and address any health and safety or ethical considerations related to your proposal. These skills underpin the scientific method required for any scientific career. The basic notion of data analysis, identifying an issue, and developing a plan to address that issue is the basis of troubleshooting or product development in any career structure. In addition, within this unit, you will be equipped with transferrable skills such as presentation and communication skills, as well as planning and preparing for a career within your discipline. The skills developed within this unit will prove vital for the Level 6 research project unit and for a career in science. 

Human Metabolism

Human Metabolism is a fundamental discipline in biochemical and pharmaceutical sciences.  Additionally, the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, who accredit the BSc Biomedical Science course, list the biochemistry of processes that support life including cellular metabolism and its control as a key area of curriculum. This unit provides a theoretical understanding of the biochemical and cellular basis of human metabolism and aims to:

Introduce the basic processes of human metabolism: how the main classes of biomolecules are degraded and synthesised. 

Extend biochemical concepts from level 4 regarding the structure of biomolecules (carbohydrates, proteins and fats) to their enzymatic inter-conversions and how these are used to produce energy, energy storage compounds, functional and structural proteins and signalling molecules. 

Explain how metabolic transformations inactivate and, sometimes, activate drug molecules. The pharmacological relevance and utility of metabolic poisons will also be considered.

Medical Physiology

Medical physiology is a fundamental discipline in both medicine and biosciences. An understanding of physiology is a crucial requirement for employment in e.g. academic or government research laboratories or the biotechnology industry.

This unit will help you develop an understanding of the mechanisms by which the human body functions. Medical physiology builds on the knowledge gained at Level 4, with emphasis on homeostasis, cardiovascular, respiratory, kidney, neurology, endocrine, gastrointestinal and bone physiology in more depth. You will also study how physiological function becomes impaired in disease states. You will consider the impact of physiological changes in disease on drug development strategies.

The aims of this unit are:

To command in depth knowledge of human physiology

To explain the significance of homeostasis and develop an
ability to discuss human homeostasis with reference to the
structure and function of tissues and organs and the relationship between homeostasis and disease

Immunology

The human immune system is second only to the nervous system in terms of its complexity and importance. The unit will impart a detailed understanding of  the immune system and how it functions in protecting against a vast range of pathogens and against diseases that arise within the body such as cancer and autoimmunity. This unit will enable you to you appreciate the crucial roles of the immune system in health and disease.

The Institute of Biomedical Science who accredit the BSc Biomedical Science degree specify Immunology as key subject area required within all their accredited courses. Qualified Biomedical Scientists may be employed as immunologists within NHS laboratories, where they are required to analyse samples from patients for evidence of immune-mediated diseases or match tissues for transplantation.

By comprehending the specific roles of the different cellular and humoral arms of the immune system you will learn how these different elements of the immune system interact to produce an appropriate, correctly directed and effective immune response. You will also become aware of how this complex system can malfunction and the serious impact of inappropriate immune responses on human health.

You will also learn about how immune specificity can be harnessed to produce effective modern technologies to prevent, diagnose and treat disease.

Immunology is particularly relevant to you if you wish to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical, biomedical or biotechnology industries, or in hospital diagnostic, veterinary or biomedical research laboratories.

Medical Microbiology

Medical microbiology is a fundamental discipline in both medicine and biosciences. It involves the understanding of the principles of microbial pathogenicity and the responses of the human body to invasion by pathogens.   You will study the role of microorganisms in human disease and apply their knowledge of the morphology, physiology, cultivation and control of microorganisms to the processing of specimens in the microbiology laboratory.  This unit will help you appreciate the association between specific disease agents and the disease symptoms/syndrome observed.  

The Institute of Biomedical Science who accredit the BSc Biomedical Science degree specify Microbiology as a key subject area required within their accredited course. Qualified Biomedical Scientists may be employed as microbiologists within NHS laboratories, where they are required to analyse samples from patients for evidence of infection. The discipline of medical microbiology provides a core understanding of the mechanisms by which microorganisms cause human disease.  All components of this unit are applicable to a number of research contexts, including employment within academic or government research laboratories, or within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry. 

Haematology And Transfusion Science

Haematology and transfusion science are fundamental tools for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of human diseases of the blood. The Institute of Biomedical Science, who accredit the BSc Hons Biomedical Science degree, specify Haematology and Transfusion Science as key subject areas required within their accredited courses. Qualified Biomedical Scientists may be employed within NHS Blood Science laboratories, where they are required to process and analyse blood and bone marrow samples from patients. 

This Unit will provide you with comprehensive knowledge of the development, structure and functions of blood in normal and pathological states, and develop an appreciation of the role of the Haematology and Transfusion laboratories in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Specifically, it covers all of the major areas of haematology including haematopoiesis, anaemias, haematological malignancies, haemostasis and general aspects of transfusion science. This unit provides the student with the appropriate knowledge and intellectual skills necessary to work in a relevant diagnostic or research laboratory.

Genetics

All life depends on biochemical interaction within and between cells reflecting the governing genetic systems. Hence, Genetics is a fundamental discipline in both medicine and biosciences. This unit provides a theoretical understanding of the biochemical and cellular basis of genetics. In addition, it forms a platform for final year studies of genetics and the pathology of genetic diseases.

The Institute of Biomedical Science who accredit the BSc Biomedical Science degree specify Genetics as a Key Subject Area required within their accredited courses. Qualified Biomedical Scientists may be employed as geneticists within NHS laboratories, where they are required to perform and interpret the results from genetic analyses of samples from patients.

BSc Biomedical Science graduates who seek employment within academic or government research laboratories or within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry will also find that Genetics is a common and key discipline underlying the analysis and genetic manipulation of cells and tissues in many research contexts.

Cellular Pathology

Cellular Pathology is a fundamental discipline in both medicine and biosciences. It is the analysis of cells or tissues in order to identify structural changes indicative of disease. Pathology is a fundamental tool for diagnosis, prognosis, prediction of drug response, or monitoring of drug response. 

The Institute of Biomedical Science which accredits the BSc Biomedical Science degree specify Cellular Pathology as a key subject area required within all their accredited courses. Qualified Biomedical Scientists may be employed within NHS histopathology laboratories, where they are required to process, stain and analyse tissue and cell samples from patients.

BSc Biomedical Science graduates who seek employment within academic or government research laboratories, or within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry will also find that Cellular Pathology is a common and key discipline underlying basic cellular biology and behaviour in many research contexts.

Within the Cellular Pathology component of this unit you will learn about biological sample processing and analysis, practice some key practical skills in cytology and/or histology, and will learn about the fundamental processes and changes to cells and tissues that underlie cell injury and repair.

Biomedical Science Research Project

This unit is an essential part of your BSc (Hons) degree. It allows you as final year students to undertake scientific research and provides an opportunity to develop and appraise your personal qualities for future employment.

It is an essential expectation of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), the accrediting body for the BSc Biomedical Science degree, that you will plan, design and execute a piece of research work for which you will write a formal project report. This will provide you with experience of planning and conducting research, data interpretation, and appropriate presentation of your findings as would be expected of professional scientists and Biomedical Scientists in the workplace. You will propose an experimental strategy to test a hypothesis and answer a research question.  You will then conduct experiments, allowing you to gather and interpret data, which you will contextualise in your final report. This will develop your abilities to read, research and understand scientific literature. Your research question will be relevant to your degree course and in answering it you will critically appraise evidence from your own and other relevant research to provide a set of conclusions in answering your question.

During the process of your project, you will develop reflective skills as applied to research as you write your reflective research diary. This will allow you to demonstrate and evidence your ability to collect and analyse data along with a range of discipline-specific practical, interpretive and analytical skills indicative of a Biomedical Science graduate.

The key aims of this unit are:

To research, plan, design and execute experimental methodologies relevant to scientific research work on an individual basis within the context of a research programme. 

To develop the techniques of critical analysis through critical evaluation and appraisal of published scientific findings and data.

To collect, record, collate and analyse data using appropriate techniques and to use relevant statistical techniques to investigate data.

To use appropriate IT resources to support a written project report, producing work which demonstrate a range of skills of written expression and vocabulary relevant to your course.

To deliver an oral presentation which communicates your work effectively and demonstrates your developing skills during the project.

To develop reflective skills as applied to research, based on maintaining a diary containing both a record of your research work and appropriate reflection on it, to provide evidence supporting the work submitted.

Applications Of Microbiology

Microbiology is a fundamental discipline in both medicine and biosciences. This unit is designed to give you a thorough working knowledge of microbiology and its impact on human health. The Institute of Biomedical Science who accredit the BSc Biomedical Science degree specify Microbiology as a specific requirement within all their accredited courses. Qualified Biomedical Scientists may be employed as microbiologists within NHS pathology laboratories, where they are required to process and analyse patient specimens and relate findings to various disease states. BSc Biomedical Science graduates who seek employment within academic or government research laboratories, or within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry will also find that  microbiology is widely applied across research fields. The emphasis of this unit is thus on developing practical skills and knowledge in microbiology and applying this to a range of human needs, as might be required in the workplace.

Clinical Biochemistry

Clinical Biochemistry is a fundamental discipline in both medicine and biosciences. It is the investigation of the function and dysfunction of systems, organs and tissues by the measurement of biochemical markers. In addition, it evaluates and synthesizes knowledge of the integrative molecular, metabolic and genetic basis of certain diseases and the progression from health to disease. 

The Institute of Biomedical Science who accredit the BSc Biomedical Science degree specify clinical biochemistry as a Key Subject Area required within all their accredited courses. Qualified Biomedical Scientists may be employed as a clinical biochemist or healthcare scientist within NHS pathology/clinical biochemistry laboratories, where they are required to analyse patient body fluids to help with investigation, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. They also interpret results and play a major role in managing hospital and community analytical services.

Biochemistry or Biomedical Science graduates who seek employment within academic or government research laboratories, or within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry will also find that clinical biochemistry is a common and key discipline requiring complex biochemical analyses on a range of specimens using automated and computer assisted molecular biological techniques.

Applications Of Immunology

Immunology is a fundamental discipline in both medicine and the wider biosciences. This unit is designed to give you a greater understanding of the immune system and how the principles of immunology are applied in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, in biotechnology, industry and in research.

The Institute of Biomedical Science, who accredit the BSc Hons Biomedical Science degree, list immunology as a specific requirement within their accredited course. Qualified Biomedical Scientists may be employed as immunologists within NHS-linked laboratory services, where they are required to process and analyse fluid, tissue and cell samples from patients and relate findings to various disease states. Life sciences graduates who seek employment within academic or government research laboratories, or within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries will also find that the methods, models and assays used in the field of applied immunology are all fundamental laboratory research skills. The emphasis of this unit is thus on developing practical working knowledge of immunology and applying this to a range of human needs, as might be required in the workplace.

Human Genetics

DNA acts as the blueprint for life, the carrier of the genetic code that determines a cell's make up and as such it is fundamental to Human Genetics. Human Genetics considers the inheritance of DNA from generation to generation and how changes in the genetic code are linked to inherited disease and cancer.

The Institute of Biomedical Science who accredit the BSc Biomedical Science degree specify clinical and Human Genetics as a Key Subject Areas required within their accredited courses. Qualified Biomedical Scientists may be employed within NHS laboratories where they are required to use molecular biology techniques in the diagnosis of genetic diseases. Graduates who seek employment within academic or government research laboratories or within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry will also find that Human Genetics is a key area in the post-genomic revolution that underpins the move towards personalised medicine within our healthcare systems.

You will learn about genetic principles of inheritance, the nature of genotypes and phenotypes across populations and in human disorders. You will review genetic abnormalities and their relationship to metabolic disorders and cancers. You will practice an appropriate technique used in genetic testing for disease and analyse the data.

Biology Of Disease

Biology of Disease covers an integrated approach to pathology that is a fundamental discipline in both medicine and biosciences. It investigates pathophysiological processes that underlie specific diseases and the clinical signs and symptoms that are interpreted by the pathologist. In addition, it evaluates and synthesizes knowledge of the integrative molecular, metabolic and genetic basis of certain diseases and the progression from health to disease. 

The Institute of Biomedical Science who accredit the BSc Biomedical Science degree specify Biology of Disease as a key subject area required within all their accredited courses. Qualified Biomedical Scientists may be employed within NHS pathology/clinical biochemistry laboratories, where they are required to analyse patient’s samples taken from blood, urine or other body fluids to help with investigation, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. They also interpret results and play a major role in managing hospital and community analytical services.

BSc Biomedical Science graduates who seek employment within academic or government research laboratories, or within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry will also find that the Biology of Disease is a common and key discipline requiring understanding of biochemical analyses on specimens of body fluids and tissues and molecular biological techniques that allow the understanding of pathological processes.

Molecular Biology

DNA acts as the blueprint for life, the carrier of the genetic code that determines a cells’ make up and as such it is fundamental to Molecular Biology. Molecular Biology seeks to explain how the molecules of living matter interact to create life and operate within the cell and the whole organism.

The Institute of Biomedical Science who accredit the BSc Biomedical Science degree, specify Molecular Biology as a Key Subject Area required within their accredited courses. Qualified Biomedical Scientists may be employed within NHS laboratories where they are required to use Molecular Biology techniques such as Polymerase Chain Reaction.

BSc Biomedical Science graduates who seek employment within academic or government research laboratories or within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry will also find that Molecular Biology is a common and key discipline underlying basic cellular biology and behaviour in many research contexts.

You will learn about the applications of Molecular Biology techniques in analyses of DNA, RNA and protein. You also will further develop your key practical skills in Molecular Biology and will learn about detailed methodology used for gene manipulation.