Biomedical Science

This module introduces biomedical science and its constituent specialisms and provides an introduction to disease, its nature and the analytical techniques used for investigation. Some basic aspects of normal cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, microbiology and physiology will be reviewed as a basis for a sound understanding of disease processes.

The module provides a knowledge and understanding of biochemistry including basic organic chemistry. Biological molecules and their importance in cell structure and function are also studied. You will be introduced to microorganisms, with focus on the importance of identification and classification of microbes, and the techniques and skills required for their isolation, enumeration and microscopic examination.

The Physiological Systems module introduces you to principles of human physiology at the organ system level with appropriate links to anatomy, cell biology, biochemistry and metabolism, disease pathology, pharmacology and therapeutics.

The unit will help students develop the core professional and research skills required of a scientist, with a focus on the capture, analyses, interpret and effective dissemination of biological data. Including the selection and critical analysis of information sources, understanding study design and how to develop and test research questions, including ethical, legal and moral considerations. It will also provide student with an understanding of methods used to analysis biological data and how to interpret this data, with an emphasis on statistical methods. As well as exploring different linked professional roles and their requirements with a focus on graduate employability.

The aim of this module is to develop the technical skills you have gained throughout each level of study in each module and to enable you to apply and contextualise the knowledge and skills you have gained in the first year.

The Blood Science module looks at the roles of haematology and clinical biochemistry laboratory tests in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of disease processes. A range of haematological and biochemical disorders are studied ranging from disorders of renal function and the endocrine system, to red blood cell disorders and haemostatic disorders.

This module introduces the roles of cytology and histopathology in the diagnosis of disease. It focuses on cells, tissues and organ systems and the changes that occur in these systems during pathology, with a particular focus on cancer. Normal cell development, including cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis is studied, as well as the classification of normal tissues and the relationship of one tissue type to another. Disorders of the renal, respiratory, central nervous and female reproductive systems as well as disorders of the liver are studied in detail. 

This unit will build on student’s knowledge of infectious agents and introduce important aspects of the immune response to infection by a microorganism in terms of the underpinnings of the biological response and physiological consequences. Population interventions such as infection control and immunisation will be examined, as well as factors affecting the spread of infection. To facilitate this appropriate epidemiology methodologies will be introduced. Students will carry out appropriate laboratory procedures involved in the isolation and identify of specific pathogens. Treatments including immunotherapy, chemotherapy and problems of resistance development using antimicrobial agents will be introduced.

This unit focuses on understanding of the role of clinical genetics in healthcare, including diagnosis, prognoses, clinical management and treatment development. It will introduce a range of molecular techniques used diagnostically and in research, and their role in the diagnosis of disease. As well as introducing bioinformatic tools and the use of 'omic' technologies. The students will be able to develop lab based and analysis skills.

The aim of this module is to develop the technical skills you have gained throughout each level of study in each module and to enable you to apply and contextualise the knowledge and skills you have gained in the second year.

This module describes the pathogenesis of a variety of haematological disorders and the principles of transfusion medicine. This module develops your prior knowledge of haematological diseases and covers several haematological disorders, including the immune associated haemolytic anaemias, and haematological malignancies. It describes the use of “omic” technologies in patient diagnosis and treatment and the development of personalised medicine in haematology. The principles of transfusion medicine are taught, explaining the immunological basis of transfusion, the serious hazards of transfusion, pre-transfusion testing procedures and the role of transfusion for therapeutic purposes. 

This module will develop knowledge in the field of Immunology with a particular emphasis of disorders of the Immune system including immunodeficiency, autoimmune disease, hypersensitivity, multiple myeloma and tumour immunity. The module also covers the exciting field of cancer immunotherapy, and organ transplantation. This module develops your prior knowledge of the mechanisms of the immune system, previously covered in the level 5 Infection Science module, as it demonstrates how their deregulation result in disease.   

The Integrated Pathology module considers a wide range of disorders of the human body and investigates how different areas of biomedical science can contribute to both the diagnosis and the understanding of these disorders. The disorders studied broadly fit into the areas of ageing and disease, multifactorial disease, infectious disease and malignant disease.

This unit allows all final year students to plan and undertake either a laboratory based research project or a library based dissertation in an
area of their own interest.

The aim of this module is to develop the technical skills you have gained throughout each level of study in each module and to enable you to apply and contextualise the knowledge and skills you have gained in the third year.

The unit will cover current issues related to human genetics, particularly in relation to disease & the implications on public health. It will consider topics such as genetic principles, gene structure, function & regulation, population genetics, techniques, genetic basis of health & disease and genetic approaches which may be used to treat these. 

Building on a background knowledge of genetics gained in years 1 and 2, this module will consider topics such as genetic principles, gene structure, function and regulation, population genetics, techniques, genetic basis of health and disease and genetic approaches which may be used to treat these. The major topics covered in the module are; gene structure and genome organisation, molecular mechanisms involved in gene regulation, current and advanced techniques of bioinformatics, population genetics, evolutionary genetics, genetic basis of disease, genetic testing and genetic approaches to treating disease.

The Biomedical Cell Biology module explores the cellular processes, cell cycle control and cell signalling events that occur during cell/tissue repair and regeneration, ageing and senescence, and human disorders. The cellular dysfunction that results as a consequence of ageing and disease development will be discussed in relation to normal cell function. Appropriate examples of biomedical techniques and model systems utilised in cell biology research will be highlighted to illustrate key concepts of the module. Implications for biomedical research and medicine will be investigated, together with ethical issues relating to the field.

This module includes immunology, cancer biology, reproductive health, infectious diseases and medical genetics. It gives you the opportunity to expand your knowledge of the pathology and aetiology of these areas by investigating the philosophical concepts of biological systems in states of dysfunction. You’ll be encouraged to appreciate the inter-relations of the pathological sciences and how, for example, a genetic predisposition can increase an individual's risk of susceptibility to a specific cancer or immune disorder. This module also provides the opportunity to make a systematic, comprehensive study of a disorder.

This module enables you to complete an independent piece of research which is allied to your specialism, employment aspirations and specific academic interests.

This module develops your skills in research, in order to support them to design experimental research, which is ethically acceptable. The module also comprises the role of an evidence-based framework for the systematic review, dissemination of scientific research and information, and moral issues highlighted by developments in science.