Biomedical Science BSc (Hons)

You will learn how to plan a literature investigation on a specific research topic, exploit appropriate sources and databases to search for information, evaluate and critically review the primary literature articles and assess their significance in the broader context, evaluate experimentation protocols required to carry out the proposed research, conduct experiments in a safe and effective manner and discuss the validity and significance of the data provided, present the project work in the form of an oral presentation and written report in an appropriate style and format.

In the early part of the module you will learn about mammalian cell signalling processes correlated with their role in disease pathogenesis and cellular responses to toxic compounds. These lectures will provide a sound theoretical understanding of concepts that will be further explored in material designed to consider the molecular mechanisms underpinning carcinogenesis. To augment this approach you will then also learn about the molecular basis of bacterial signalling and bacterial pathogenesis. As the module further develops you will then learn about therapeutic strategies designed to alleviate disease/pathogenesis. The content of this material will include the molecular basis of therapeutic design including drug action, chemotherapy and gene therapy. These lectures will serve to provide a molecular therapeutic complement to the pathogenesis lectures. Finally through case studies and essay writing you should learn to effectively, and critically, evaluate modern molecular based research.

“Pathology in Practice” represents the final stages of bringing together the knowledge and experience accrued from previous modules (L5) of the Pathology Specialties (Medical Microbiology/Clinical Immunology; Cellular pathology/Haematology/Transfusion Science; Clinical Biochemistry).
You will learn how to examine and assess the clinical symptoms and resulting results and data presented as a case study. As a group of 5 students, your team will decide the appropriate testing regime, in order to reach a diagnosis. This will take the form of preliminary investigations that should point the team in the right direction.
Comprising of group discussions, and guidance from “specialist” tutors in the assessment of demonstrations/practical work, and data acquisition, your team will collectively contribute data, knowledge, and understanding of the test results, to unravel the complexities of the case. Each student should represent a specialty subject and act as leader in that area. Once all test results have been examined, your team will decide the appropriate diagnosis of your patient. Discussions will include any follow up tests that may help in further elucidation of the case. A prognosis will be expected to be given.
The final exercise will be a student led poster presentation of the case study. All members of your group will be expected to contribute and answer questions during the presentation. Peer review is included whereby each student appraises the rest of the team, and awards marks for each person’s contribution.

In this module you will explore essential advanced analytical techniques relevant to the practice of modern Biomedical Sciences. You will learn about the scientific principles underpinning these methodologies and also how they are applied to both medical diagnostics and to research. You will gain an understanding of genetic engineering strategies and purification of recombinant proteins for analysis. In addition you will also learn about advanced separation techniques such as flow cytometry and Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) as well as automated enzyme analysis. You will also gain an insight into cutting edge technologies such as next generation sequencing and microarray technologies in the context of both RNA (transcriptomics), protein (proteomics) and small molecules (metabolomics). In addition to learning the theoretical aspects and gaining hands-on laboratory experience in these techniques, you will learn to evaluate, compare and make sound evidence-based choices regarding analytical approach and experimental design that will prove a key skill in your future career.

Genome scale sequence analysis had transformed our understanding of human disease susceptibility and drug metabolism. In this module you will learn about the methodologies that have led to this understanding and the production of genome databases. You will also study both the sequence and the structural variation in the human genome and those variations associated with disease. The regulatory and epigenetic landscapes including DNA methylation of human genomes will also be studied in detail along with microRNA regulatory networks. Finally, the application of genomics to improve human health, personalised medicine and develop new diagnostics will be explored. You will also debate social, legal and ethical aspects of genetic testing.

In this module you will learn about the drug discovery and development process. You will be introduced to a range of issues in drug discovery starting with selecting a disease through to identifying a disease target and the type of molecules to be utilised. For example, in this module, you will learn about cancer as a group of diseases and consider contemporary chemotherapeutic agents. This module will start by discussing drugs and the testing of drugs within a social and historical setting. You will learn how drugs interact with and affect their target areas in the human body. You will then learn about how to evaluate drug properties, the identification of lead compounds and developing these compounds into drugs that are introduced into the clinic. Topics will include pharmacogenomics, emerging technologies in personalised medicine, principles of clinical trials and pharmacological methods as well as a consideration of ethical issues.

In this module you will learn about recent developments in biomedicine. You will be introduced to a range of key research areas relating to new discoveries and developments in contemporary research including new therapies and the development of novel laboratory techniques.

You will also be introduced to a wider perspective on biomedicine with taught sessions looking at the Ethical, Legal and Social Issues connotations of biomedicine and the subsequent impact within modern society. You will consider the importance not only of understanding complex, modern innovations but of communicating key information with stakeholders, be they patients, clinicians, pathology professionals or the general public.

This module will give you the opportunity to investigate and appraise cutting edge research and explore its implications within the biosciences, with an overall aim of developing graduates who are ready to critically evaluate and discuss research. You will be able to interpret the influence of new technology in both practice and society, analyse contemporary science and technology based issues and communicate your understanding to others.