What is Biomedical Science?

How would you best describe the BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences course?

Biomedical sciences is the study of human health and disease, it allows students to understand how diseases can progress, be diagnosed and be treated. But more than that, our courses look at how we can research the scientific basis of pathologies to further our knowledge of how diseases occur. 

Scientific research is a fundamental area of Biomedical Sciences that allows new diagnostic technologies and treatments to be developed, as we saw in the recent COVID pandemic for example. To help equip our graduates to succeed in these clinical and research fields of work, we place a large emphasis on acquiring key laboratory skills and the ability to problem solve, like you may have to do when trying to help diagnose an illness based on lab findings for instance. Alongside this we have a well-structured curriculum to develop students core scientific knowledge then apply this to clinical situations. Throughout your time with us you will also have access to a wide range of pastoral and careers support to help you reach your potential.

Who is the course aimed at?

We have students from a wide range of backgrounds studying with us, but fundamentally the course is for people who want to understand more about human health and disease. If you are not sure if the course is right for you, or are unsure if you have the appropriate qualifications, please get in touch and we’ll discuss your options.

What teaching approaches does the course offer?

Being a science-based course we have a lot of face to face contact. We split the curriculum into modules; typically you study six of these a year. The modules use lectures and tutorials to deliver and discuss the key concepts, then lab classes are used to gain hands on experience of the themes delivered. Our lectures and teaching material are provided online for students to review, and we use mock assessments throughout so students can check on their learning. Many of our taught activities are based around real-word scenarios, such as using case studies and lab data to work out what illness someone may have or working in teams to develop biotech strategies to solve a given problem.

Are there opportunities to do work placements and work on real-world scenarios on the course?

With our Applied Biomedical Sciences route, students can apply to take a year out at the end of year two of the course to work in an NHS pathology lab, this allows them the opportunity to complete their training portfolio, which is needed to apply for Biomedical Scientist jobs. We also typically advertise internships from local employers and students have the opportunity to work with our careers teams to set up work placements after year two of their studies. Each year we also offer summer research projects, where our students can apply for funding to complete a small research project alongside a member of academic staff, which is a great experience for those wishing to undertake a PhD.

What career could a degree in biomedical sciences lead to?

One of the great things about studying a Biomedical Sciences degree with us is the broad range of modules you can study from Microbiology to Pharmacology, this really does open up career options. Additionally, the degree has a strong focus on developing employability skills, such as communication, team working, data evaluation and critical analysis. These skills are in high demand by a number of employers, so many graduate employment opportunities beyond lab-based science are open to our graduates. Our students typically progress into working as Biomedical Scientists, analysts in private sector laboratories, working in the Biotech or Pharmaceutical industries, working as clinical trial co-ordinators or going onto further study on MSc, PhD or Physician Associate courses.

Why is a degree in biomedical sciences relevant in today’s society?

Recent events during the COVID pandemic have shown us what can happen when new viruses emerge. But beyond this we have an ageing population, and many people typically have a more sedentary lifestyle. This means a number of diseases such as cancers and diabetes are becoming more common. Biomedical Sciences examines how infections spread and impact us and how diseases occur and develop. This scientific knowledge is crucial for developing earlier, more accurate diagnostic tools new treatment options. Fundamentally then Biomedical Sciences will help secure the health of the human population. 

How does a biomedical science degree differ from other science/biology courses?

Biomedical Sciences specifically focuses on enabling students to understand human health and disease. It allows us to explain how diseases happen and how they cause the symptoms they do. This knowledge then allows scientists to develop new diagnostic tools and treatment options. The diagnosis of disease and monitoring of treatment, such as occurs up and down the country daily in NHS pathology labs, and the advancement of knowledge on how diseases work are the key business of Biomedical Science graduates.  

Why is Leeds Beckett a good place to study biomedical sciences?

We have a strong commitment to helping our students reach their career aspirations. This commitment has led to us gaining accreditation. By both the Royal Society of Biology, a benchmark that our students are equipped with well-rounded knowledge and skillsets, making them highly employable both within and beyond their chosen field, and the Institute of Biomedical Science, a prerequisite to becoming a Biomedical Scientist.

Beyond accreditation, we have designed a curriculum that allows students to first master the key scientific disciples such as cell biology and genetics before applying this to more clinical subjects such as cell pathology. We ensure that we maintain a large practical component to our courses and focus on experiential learning, allowing students to apply what they have learned to real-world problems they are likely to face in the workplace. Crucially we also have a very friendly and supportive academic team, we want students to succeed but also to really enjoy their time with us.