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Biomedical Science with Placement Year BSc (CB19)

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Explore our Biomedical Science with Placement Year BSc at Warwick

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5fkxT-thSs

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2a

CB19

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Bachelor of Science (BSc)

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4 years full-time

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26 September 2022

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School of Life Sciences

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University of Warwick

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This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB).

3a

Life Sciences provides a wide range of biology-focused degree courses. Advances in new technologies, including genomics and integrative biology, have made this varied discipline more exciting than ever. We teach and research the processes of life from the molecular, right through to whole animal and the environment, to understand the cellular, molecular and physiological interactions that are fundamental to biology and medicine.

3b

Biomedical Science involves the study of life processes in humans. The subject provides an understanding of the causes and consequences of human and animal disease, including infection, cancer and neurological decay.

The application of new biological concepts in medicine is an ever-growing and exciting process. Developments in molecular, genetic and cellular biology research continue to drive progress in areas such as vaccine development, neurogenerative diseases and metabolic diseases.

You will develop the hands-on lab, problem solving and research skills employer’s desire. If you are considering a career in medicine, we provide mentoring and support for medical school applications.

You can opt to take a year-long industrial placement or study abroad between your second and third years.

3c

A core syllabus is offered in the first year for all degree courses providing the essential foundations in biology, biochemistry, genetics and chemistry. The shared content in the first year means that it is often possible to transfer between the different degrees at the end of the first year.

Core and optional modules in the second and third years allow students to tailor their degree. All modules are core in the first year with more optional modules in year two and four.

3d

You will have weekly (first year) and fortnightly (second and third years) taught tutorials, which are in small groups to ensure that you are able to develop and receive regular feedback on assessment.

Purpose-built teaching facilities are fully integrated with research laboratories, meaning you will be learning alongside teaching and research staff who are at the cutting edge of their fields. You will spend one or two days a week undertaking lab work. This becomes more project-oriented in your second year, culminating in a six-week individual research project in your fourth year.

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In your first year, lecture sizes are typically 320 students. The modules you take in years two and three will vary in class size. The maximum number is typically 100 and the minimum 10 students.

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12 to 16 hours per week over 25 weeks.

In your first year you should expect around:

• 10 lectures a week
• A full day in the laboratory
• Taught tutorial with your personal tutor and several of your peers

Independent learning, reading and preparing for lectures and preparing assessments will occupy the rest of your study time.

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You will be assessed through tutorials, laboratory practicals, oral presentations, written assignments and exam-based questions.

Approximately 35% of your marks will be assessed by coursework throughout your degree.

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Study abroad

As an alternative to a work placement we support student mobility with the opportunity to apply for a year abroad at one of our partner universities all over the world. The Study Abroad Team supports these activities, and the School’s dedicated Study Abroad Co-ordinator will provide more specific information and assistance.

3i

Placements and work experience

You can take a year in industry after your second year to gain industrial experience. Work placements cover a wide range of work experience types and destinations, both laboratory and non-laboratory.

You will have both an academic and placement site supervisor. Your placement will allow you to improve personal and transferable skills, make new contacts and will enhance your employability. Whilst we do not guarantee you a placement, you will be given extensive support to secure one.

Recent placements have included

• GSK
• The Binding Site
• Micropathology
• The Body Shop

Many of our BSc students also choose to undertake work placements during vacations. We actively promote these placements and will support you with applications and interview skills.

4a

A level typical offer

AAB to include Biology, or ABB to include Biology and one of the following: Chemistry, Maths, Physics, Applied Science, Environmental Science, Statistics, Geology or Geography.

A level additional information

You must also achieve a pass in the science practical assessment (if applicable).

A level contextual offer

We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is BBB including Biology and one other Science or ABB including Biology. See if you're eligible.

General GCSE requirements

Unless specified differently above, you will also need a minimum of GCSE grade 4 or C (or an equivalent qualification) in English Language and either Mathematics or a Science subject. Find out more about our entry requirements and the qualifications we accept. We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.

4b

IB typical offer

36 to include 5 in Higher Level Biology, or 34 to include 5 in Higher Level Biology and 5 in Higher Level Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Geography.

IB contextual offer

We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is 32 including 5 at Higher Level in Biology and a second science. See if you're eligible.

General GCSE requirements

Unless specified differently above, you will also need a minimum of GCSE grade 4 or C (or an equivalent qualification) in English Language and either Mathematics or a Science subject. Find out more about our entry requirements and the qualifications we accept. We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.

4c

We welcome applications from students taking BTECs as long as essential subject requirements are met.

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Year One

Quantitative Skills for Biology

All biological scientists need to understand and analyse quantitative data. So, this module will see you learning to use statistical methods for analysing and summarising experimental data (for example, from your lab classes), and learning the basic principles for modelling biological populations.

Molecules, Cells and Organisms

You'll study this module as the essential foundation for most other modules taught in the School of Life Sciences. You'll gain the basic knowledge you need of molecular and cellular aspects of biology, and also become familiar with whole-organism and developmental biology, in the context of evolution.

Agents of Infectious Disease

You will start by gaining a thorough foundation in microbiology and virology, using infectious diseases as a common link to promote your understanding. Through your study of epidemiology, you will learn to appreciate the way that diseases spread and the methods used to investigate this spread. On completion, you can expect to understand the role of various structures associated with the bacterial cell in causing a range of diseases, and appreciate the structure of viruses and how this relates to their capacity to cause disease and the host response to viral challenge. This will equip you with the necessary theoretical foundations to underpin your future studies.

Physiology and Metabolism

On this module, you will learn how parts of the body function and work together in the whole organism. You will study the physiology of the nervous system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system and special senses. Your study of metabolism will help you to understand the generation of energy within the body, anabolism, the role of enzymes, and specific functions such as glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, pentose phosphate pathway and photosynthesis. You will then combine your learning to gain a thorough understanding of the way the body adapts to environmental conditions such as altitude, depth, cold and heat.

Tutorials and Laboratories

Chemistry for Biologists - compulsory for entrants without A2 level Chemistry

Year Two

Tutorials and Laboratories

Molecular Cell Biology

On this module, you will gain a sound knowledge of the organisation, complexity and essential processes that occur in the genomes and information-processing mechanisms in all three domains of life. You will study the molecular biology that underlies fundamental cellular processes, including the cytoskeleton in cellular structure, function and motility, the mechanisms that control cell proliferation and genome stability, protein processing in secretory pathway organelles, and programmed cell death in eukaryotic cells.

Blood and Circulation

This module is designed to give you an all-round understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of two linked body systems, blood, the haematological system, and circulation, the cardiovascular system. You will cover the functioning of these systems in both health and disease.

Epidemiology and Public Health

This module forms the basis for the third year modules Infectious Diseases and Health and Modern Approaches to Human Disease. You will cover assessing the evidence, the dynamics of disease and public health.

Virology

This module covers the replication strategies of important viruses, antiviral therapies, diagnosis and clinical case studies. You will learn how the medically related aspects of virology (how virus infections are diagnosed and treated) are important in combating viral disease.

Immunology

The module provides an overview of the immune system with a focus on T cell immunity.

Microbial Pathogens

You will be introduced to a range of important microparasites, the diseases they cause and the parasite-host and environmental interactions that govern their biology and approaches to control. Examples include vector-borne and/or zoonotic organisms from Mycobacterium, Trypanosomes, Plasmodium to fungi.

Year Three/Four (Depending on if you do an industrial placement or study abroad)

Tutorials and Research Project

Modern Approaches to Human Disease

On this module, you will engage with two major themes in modern medicine: evidence-based medicine and medical ethnics. You will achieve this through in-depth study of the medical specialities of reproductive medicine, renal medicine and central nervous system (CNS) medicine.

5b

• Science Communication
• Health and Community
• Clinical Microbiology
• Genetics and Genomics
• Molecular Endocrinology
• Advanced Immunology
• Oncology
• Integrative Neuroscience
• Medical Virology
• Introduction to Secondary Teaching in Biology
• Interdisciplinary and Business modules