Biomedical Science MBio (UCAS C1A3) (2022 Entry)
A level typical offer
AAA to include Biology, or AAB 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 ABB including Biology and one other Science or AAB 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.
IB header
IB typical offer
38 to include 5 in Higher Level Biology, or 36 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 34 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.
BTEC header We welcome applications from students taking BTECs as long as essential subject requirements are met.
International qualifications header International qualifications standard dropdown
Language requirements header Language standard block
FAQs
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.
Our four-year MBio gives you the opportunity to undertake an extended final-year research project in-house.
A core syllabus is offered in the first year for all degree courses providing the essential foundations in biology, biochemistry, genetics and chemistry. The same content in the first year means that it is often possible to transfer between the different degrees at the end of the first year.
Most modules are core in the first year with more optional modules in year two and three with the fourth year comprising of an Extended Research Project and Research Skills (training in advanced laboratory techniques, data handling and statistical analyses, critical analysis of the literature and designing research proposals).
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
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
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.
Year Four
Research Skills Training
Extended Research Project
Optional module header
- 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
Approximately 35% of marks will be assessed by course work throughout the degree.
The final degree classification is determined by Year One (6%), Year Two (18%), Year Three (36%) and your final year (40%).
Seminar header 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.
Contact hours header
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.
Funding header