Biomedical Science MSci

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Top reasons to choose this course

• Accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) – ensuring the course meets professional standards for biomedical scientists and supporting eligibility for HCPC registration after completing an accredited training programme.
• Guaranteed interview scheme with 黑料吃瓜网 and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) for eligible students aiming for a career in medicine.
• Extra year of advanced study – gain a masters level qualification with an additional year focused on research and specialist topics, giving you a competitive edge in the job market.
• Improved career prospects – employers value the additional skills and experience gained during the MSci, especially for positions in research, clinical diagnostics and biotechnology.
• Hands-on learning – complete projects, take part in hospital visits, gain experience on placement in a hospital or within industry and get the latest professional insights through guest lectures. 
• Boost your CV with a paid placement year after your second year as well as funded internship opportunities such as the 黑料吃瓜网 Student Research Experience Scheme. 
• Register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a biomedical scientist on graduation by doing your placement in an IBMS-approved NHS pathology lab and completing the IBMS Certificate of Competence and the Registration Training Portfolio while you study.  
• Learn in specialist labs – using atomic force microscopes and the custom-designed 黑料吃瓜网 Integrative Genomics (BIG) Unit to analyse cell genes and proteins.  
• Access to cutting-edge research – join active research groups and work on projects in areas such as cancer biology, immunology, and infectious diseases, with opportunities to collaborate with Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Devices and Centre for Lifelong Health.

Year 1

You will learn the foundations of biomedical science and be introduced to the lab techniques used in professional practice. You’ll study areas including genetics and molecular biology, biochemistry, human physiology and infection science.

Modules

• Fundamentals in Genetics and Evolution

  Genetics is fundamental to understanding life sciences. In this module you will gain an understanding of how information is stored and inherited in living organisms. You will consider genetics from the perspectives of DNA structure, gene expression, genome replication, heredity, genes in populations and evolution. You’ll also be introduced to DNA-based laboratory techniques. 

• Essential Skills for Bioscientists

  This module enables you to develop skills that are essential for professional bioscientists, including how to effectively communicate scientific thought. You will develop mathematical and statistical skills that you’ll use throughout your degree and apply them in the context of bioscientific data handling, interpretation and reporting.

• Introduction to Infection Sciences

  This module will introduce to microorganisms and the components of the immune system. You will also learn about the main laboratory techniques used to grow and identify microorganisms and to detect and identify components of the immune system. Programmes which screen healthy people for disease will also be investigated.

• Introduction to Biochemistry

  This module will introduce you to the fundamental concepts of biochemistry and pharmacology, as well as the principle techniques used in biochemical analysis. You will learn about biochemical compounds and the structure and function of the macromolecules that are created from them. The structure and function of enzymes will be covered, along with the principle metabolic pathways. You’ll also explore the theory and practical use of the most commonly used biochemical techniques.

• Introduction to Human Physiology

  This module will introduce you to human physiology. You will explore anatomical structure, function, the principle of homeostasis and neurological and hormonal control of the human body, its component parts and major systems, with appropriate examples of disease pathophysiology.

• Fundamentals in Blood Sciences

  This module introduces biomedical science as a profession. You will explore areas of blood sciences which include haematology, coagulation, blood transfusion and clinical biochemistry. Working through and interpreting case studies will enable you to develop essential biomedical science knowledge and skills.

Year 2 

You will build on the knowledge gained in your first year, broaden your research skills and explore topics that include diet and exercise, infection and immunity, molecular cell biology, genetics and genomics, human biochemistry and metabolism.

Modules

• Infection and Immunity

  This module will give you a detailed knowledge and understanding of the key concepts in immunology and microbiology. There will be a strong emphasis on laboratory investigation and the techniques used to detect components of the immune system and identify microorganisms. You will investigate the diversity, distribution and biology of microorganisms and their effects on host organisms as well as the components of the immune system and the normal immune response.

• Intermediate Blood Sciences

  This module aims to deepen your knowledge of clinical biochemistry, haematology, haemostasis and blood transfusion. It features topics including endocrinology, haematinics, coagulation and blood transfusion medicine, equipping you to distinguish disorders in these systems through laboratory techniques and lectures. You will study investigative techniques and skills in differential diagnosis to prepare you for the next academic level.

• Clinical Genetics and Molecular Biology

  This module introduces you to the molecular basis of clinical phenotypes and explores how this knowledge informs methods of detecting, screening and predicting clinical outcomes. The content will cover areas including DNA mutation, inheritance patterns and pharmacogenomics, and you will gain an insight into how the consideration of ethics and risk plays a part in clinical genetics.

• Intermediate Human Physiology

  This module will deepen the knowledge and understanding of physiology you gained in Introduction to Human Physiology. You will learn how physiological systems integrate in practical applications, with examples such as body fluid balance (digestive and renal systems), exercise physiology (cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal) and temperature regulation (integumentary and cardiovascular). The module will provide you with the depth of knowledge and understanding of human anatomy and physiology to support detailed studies in the clinical laboratory specialities.

• Human Biochemistry, Metabolism and Pharmacology

  The emphasis in this module is on human biochemistry, pharmacology, metabolism and cell signalling in both normal and disease or dysfunctional states; the interrelationships and regulation of different metabolic pathways within these processes; intermediate pharmacology, including drug mechanisms of action, dose response and adverse reactions, covering pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; endocrinology; intracellular signalling cascades and mechanisms of cell death; and cell cycle control and cancer.

• Research Skills and Professional Development

  This module will enable you to develop the skills and knowledge required to improve your graduate career opportunities. You’ll grow your understanding of the role of experimental design in the data collection stage of a laboratory investigation and enhance your skills in the analysis of such data. You will also gain investigative, reflective, communication, self-presentation and digital literacy skills relevant to career planning and development.

Placement year 

The optional placement year is a great opportunity to develop your skills as a biomedical scientist, explore specialisms and gain valuable work experience.

An optional placement year in an accredited NHS training lab allows you to work towards the IBMS Certificate of Competence and the Registration Training Portfolio.

Other placement opportunities prepare you to work in a range of scientific areas and postgraduate research.

You can choose a clinical or non-clinical placement, depending on your interests. Our placements team can help you find the right job for you, and you’ll also have the support of one of our lecturers while on placement.

Our students have secured placements in organisation such as:

• GlaxoSmithKline
• Public Health England
• 黑料吃瓜网 and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust.

Learn more about placement opportunities at 黑料吃瓜网.

Year 3

In year 3 you will focus on the clinical aspects of biomedical science, including blood sciences, cellular pathology, clinical immunology and microbiology and innovations in bioscience research. You’ll also undertake a project linked with one of our research groups.

Modules

• Cellular Pathology

  This Cellular Pathology module will give you an understanding of the major pathological changes in diseases at the molecular and cellular level, and the principles and application of related diagnostic techniques. It will provide a research evidence-based knowledge of selected pathological conditions by exploring examples of disease processes. Areas covered include inflammation, loss of cell cycle control, infertility and IVF, and molecular diagnostic techniques.

• Bioscience Research Project

  In this module you will demonstrate core research skills in an independent and original scientific investigation by undertaking a data-generating project. You will learn about literature searching and retrieval; approaches to reviewing a topic for investigation; identifying research problems; designing a scientific investigation; ethical issues; working safely in the laboratory; methods of data analysis; and how to present project reports. At the end, you will submit a final project report and present a summary of the project in poster form.

• Advanced Diagnostics in Blood Science

  Building on the Fundamentals in Blood Sciences module, this aims to further develop your critical thinking and problem-solving skills in applying the results of clinical laboratory tests to detect and distinguish between a variety of acquired and inherited disorders. You will cover specific areas of blood science, including routine and specialist clinical biochemistry investigations; disorders of haemostasis; transfusion medicine and clinical governance; and lymphoid and myeloid dysplasia.

• Clinical Microbiology and Immunology

  In this module you will investigate the pathology and epidemiology of infectious and immunological diseases and how they can be diagnosed clinically and in the laboratory. You will also explore the means available to limit the spread of infections in global environments (epidemics and pandemics) and local environments (hospital outbreaks, individuals), including vaccines, antimicrobials and vector control, as well as the interactions between microorganisms and the immune system in the origin and development of infectious diseases.

• Innovations in Bioscience Research

  In this module you will explore contemporary issues in bioscience research, develop your understanding of key research priorities and learn to critically evaluate key literature within the field. Staff will give lectures on their areas of research specialisation which might include clinical genetics, microbiology and musculoskeletal physiology, biomedical device application and the biology of ageing. 

Final year

You will carry out an in-depth research project working with an academic who is a recognised expert in their field and develop techniques in evaluating research in biomedical science.

Modules

Core modules

• MSci Research Project

  The role of the MSci Research Project module is to develop the skills required to prepare you for a career in research. It will relate to the academic discipline, field of study or area of professional practice that’s relevant to you. The advanced project will provide you with the opportunity to propose, plan, execute and present an original piece of ecology, biology or biomedical sciences research in the form of a 12,000-word dissertation.

• Evaluating Research in Biosciences

  Evaluating Research in Biosciences will give you a critical understanding of innovative developments in biosciences and enable you to study a topic of current bioscience research in depth. Delivered via a series of presentations by university staff, external speakers and students, the module also includes seminars where you will take a leading role in facilitating and discussing material. You will be expected to evidence your literature research with a portfolio of annotated research articles.

Options*

• Regenerative Medicine and Medical Devices

  Regenerative Medicine and Medical Devices will introduce you to the field of regenerative medicine, medical implants and diagnostics. Areas covered include conventional medical implants and devices and personalised regenerative medicine approaches in cell-based therapy, gene therapy and tissue engineering. You will explore the factors influencing biocompatibility of materials in relation to specific clinical applications and expanded to conventional implants, cell carriers and nanobiomaterials as vectors/carriers for genes and drugs.

• Biological Membranes: Drug Targets and Disease

  As many healthcare issues like obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer are associated with altered lipid composition, drugs need to cross lipid membranes to reach their target. This module will provide you with an overview of the structure and physiology of biological membranes linked with current research and theory and develop your understanding of the role biological membranes play in health and disease. You will also study the experimental techniques used to analyse biological membranes.

• Omics for Diseases: Theory, Practice and Applications

  This module covers the theory, practice and application of omics at the genomic, proteomic and metabolomic level. You will learn about the types of omics currently on the market and the use of omics technologies in basic research, medicine and pharmaceutical sciences for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of diseases. You will gain hands-on experience with genomics and proteomics datasets and at the end of the module present a poster discussing recent advances in omics.

• Monitoring Signalling Molecules in Neuroscience

  This module provides you with an overview of signalling mechanisms and how they may be altered through pharmacological intervention, ageing and disease. You will explore the theory, capabilities, limitations and applications of the techniques used in monitoring signalling molecules in vivo and in vitro, including amperometry, fast scan cyclic voltammetry and microdialysis. You will also learn to understand, interpret and critically evaluate the latest scientific literature in this field.

• Ageing: Pathology and Prevention

  This module will explain the current understanding of the causes and features of the degenerative pathology associated with ageing. You will look at the fundamental biology of ageing and the physiological changes that occur with age, for example regarding tissue function and bone density. You will also explore the application, discovery and development of interventions to promote healthy ageing, including lifestyle, nutrition and supplementation.

• Cancer: Bench to Bedside

  This module provides you with an overview of the fundamental biological processes underlying cancer and develops your knowledge of the treatment possibilities provided by our understanding of how cancer works at a biological level. You will cover areas such as risk factors and diagnosis, radiotherapies, immune therapies, psychosocial oncology and in vivo and in vitro cancer models, and get an insight into the journey from diagnosis to treatment to remission.

• Astrobiology

  This module will give you an overview of current research and theory on astrobiology and expand your understanding of origin of life theories. It will demonstrate how extreme environments and organisms that are able to live in extreme environments provide potential models for extraterrestrial life. You will also learn how experimental techniques can distinguish between biological and non-biological origins of materials from both Earth and space.

• Applied Nucleic Acid Biochemistry

  This module provides you with an understanding of modern nucleic acid-based techniques and how these can be applied in the laboratory with respect to human disease. You will study basic molecular biology techniques including cloning into simple vectors, gene expression and selectable markers, and learn about manipulation and detection of nucleic acid and protein and the concepts and applications of genomics and bioinformatics. You will also undertake a mini project.

• Advanced Pharmaceutical Analysis

  This module will give you an insight into the key techniques used in pharmaceutical analysis and how they are used in the quality assurance of pharmaceuticals. You will learn about the theory, capabilities, limitations and applications of the analytical techniques used in pharmaceutical analysis and gain experience in these techniques. The module will also explore structured approaches to analytical problem-solving for pharmaceutical scenarios.

• Nanotechnology Research: Therapeutics, Diagnostics and Advanced Pharmaceutics

  This module focuses on contemporary and innovative research in the nanotechnology field, including nanoparticle drug delivery systems, medical diagnostics and molecular therapeutic agents. The content covers pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacology, microbiology, molecular biology and clinical diagnosis. With an emphasis on modern practical techniques and methodologies, the module will provide you with specialised knowledge of the use and role of both established and novel nanotechnologies in modern therapy.

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Facilities

Your lab-based learning takes place in our specialist laboratories which are purpose-built for studying molecular biology, microbiology and ecology.

Our facilities include:

• dedicated microbiology lab with its own technical support team and preparation area
• primary cell/tissue and secondary cell culture facility
• molecular biology lab
• RT-PCR equipment
• image analysis suite with electron microscopes, a confocal microscope and atomic force microscopes
• genomics/proteomics facility for analysis of cell genes and proteins.

黑料吃瓜网 Integrative Genomics (BIG) Unit

We have a state-of-the-art, custom designed 黑料吃瓜网 Integrative Genomics (BIG) Unit with Next Generation Sequencing (Illumina NextSeq500).

Applications include genome sequencing, RNA-seq, methylome analysis and pharmacogenomics, and the hub is supported by an expert bioinformatics team for research and industry collaboration.

Find out more about our BIG Unit.

Staff profile

Dr Nigel Brissett, course leader

“I am a protein biochemist. My research explores the structural and molecular biology of protein/DNA interactions, with a specific focus on the DNA damage response.

“I like to draw on examples of my own and colleagues’ research experience when teaching students. This allows me to present my subject matter in relevant, research-focused context. I am also a great believer in engaging students in conversation to address misconceptions and highlight potentially difficult concepts.

“Currently, I teach a variety of material – ranging from protein biochemistry to metabolic processes – across different degree courses.”

Course fees

The course fees shown here are what you will pay for the first year of your course if you start in the academic year 2026–27 and you are studying full-time (fee amount is subject to parliamentary approval). You pay fees in each year of your course. The fees you pay may increase each year.

Regulated fees

Fees for UK students on undergraduate and some postgraduate courses are set by the UK government. These are known as regulated fees. From academic year 2026–27, regulated fees will increase annually in line with forecast inflation.

Student Finance England loans for tuition fees and maintenance will also rise in line with inflation.

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Unregulated fees

Course fees for international students taking undergraduate courses and for most postgraduate courses are not regulated by the UK government. Unregulated fees may increase each year by up to 5% or the forecast Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation (whichever is higher).

Find out more

• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international undergraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• Read our student contract and (pdf) for more on 黑料吃瓜网 tuition fees.
• 黑料吃瓜网 Boost – cost of living help for our new undergrad students. Find out about how we can help with your study, accommodation or travel costs and more.

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