1

1st year
Courses
Numerical and
scientific skills
(Mathematics
and Statistics,
Chemistry and
Physics)
Body, brain and
behaviour
Cells, molecules
and genes
Delivered by
lectures, classes and
practical sessions

Assessment
Examined by
three written
papers at the
end of the
year.
A satisfactory
practical
record is
required for
progression
to Year 2.

2nd year (Part I)

Courses
2 terms
Students will select
courses totalling ten
units from a wide
range of options.
Subject areas offered
include:

Psychological
processes and
disorders
Neurophysiology
Cellular and
systems
physiology
Intra and
intercellular
signalling
Genetics and
developmental

Assessment
Examined by
two written
papers at the
end of the
year.
20% of the
final degree
mark is
contributed
by written
examination
of this
material
during the
second year.
An academic
penalty will
be applied for
an

biology
Pharmacology
Cellular
pathology and
immunology
The full list is
available on
our website
1 term (Part II)

unsatisfactory
practical
record.

Students will work

on their research
project, which is
submitted during the
third year as a
component of the
final examination.

3rd year (Part II)

Courses
Either:
Cell and Systems
Biology
Two advanced
options (one major
option, one minor
option) from:

Neuroscience
Molecular
medicine
Cardiovascular,
renal and
respiratory
biology
Infection and
immunity
Cellular
physiology and

Assessment
Examined by
four written
papers during
the third term
of the final
year.
Students will
also submit a
project
dissertation.
In addition,
students will
deliver a
presentation
on their
research
project and
answer

pharmacology
Each option
comprises eight
themes. For the
major option,
students would
typically be expected
to study material
from five or six
themes; for the
minor option,
students would
typically be expected
to study material
from three or four
themes.

questions
from the
examiners.
80% of the
final degree
mark is
determined
by
performance
in the written
papers and
the project
dissertation.

Oxford
Univercity
Or:
Neuroscience
Two advanced
options offered by
the department of
Experimental
Psychology (see
the Experimental
Psychology page)
plus the
Neuroscience option
as above.

Univercity of Surray

Year 1 (FHEQ Level 4)

In Year 1, you will acquire a broad basic
knowledge and practical skills. The
programme has the flexibility to
accommodate students with and without
A-level Chemistry, to bring every

students knowledge to the standard

necessary for Year 2. You will study
modules in microbiology, physiology,
biochemistry, molecular biology and
genetics, and cell biology, each of
which will include a range of practicals.
There is an opportunity to study one of
seven modern languages if you wish.
Modules include:

Biochemistry
Cell Biology
Chemistry and Maths for Biosciences
Current Topics in Biosciences
Food Science and Nutrition
Microbiology
Molecular Biology and Genetics
Physiology

Year 2 (FHEQ Level 5)

During Year 2, you will study
compulsory modules in subjects such
as physiology, immunology, and
pathology and medicine.
Modules include:

Analytical Biochemistry and Chemistry

Biochemistry
Cellular Microbiology and Virology
Introduction to Immunology
Molecular Biology and Genetics
Pathology and Medicine
Pharmacology
Physiology

Professional Training placement

(optional)
We encourage you to take advantage of
our prestigious Professional Training
placementprogramme. Our experienced
Professional Training tutors will help
you to choose between, and apply to, a
strictly vetted selection of impressive
placements in the pharmaceutical
industry, hospitals and academia. You
have the opportunity to apply for
placements both in the UK and in other
countries such as Finland and the USA.
Regular placements include Harvard
University and Cornell University.

Most of our placements are paid, and to

ensure that your Professional Training
placement year is successful, you will
get on average three tutor visits during
the year. If you wish to prepare
an HCPC registration portfolio, there
are a limited number of accredited
placements available during the
Professional Training year.
Watch a video of a Biomedical Sciences
student on placement.

Year 3 (FHEQ Level 6)

In Year 3, you will study compulsory
modules including Clinical Immunology
and Immunohaematology, Cancer
Pathogenesis and Therapeutics, and
Pathogenesis of Infectious Diseases.
The largest single component of the
year is the research project, carried out
under the supervision of a member of
academic staff. This will give you the
opportunity to explore a research area
that you are especially interested in and
develop specialised lab-based skills and
experience.
Subjects of recent projects include
genetic disorders, cancer genetics, the
biochemistry of addiction,
understanding meningitis, human
virology, food poisoning and respiratory
infection.
Modules include:

Biochemistry
Biological Rhythms
Cancer Pathogenesis and Therapeutics
Clinical Immunology and
Immunohaematology
Epidemiology and Control of Infectious
Diseases
Molecular Biology and Genetics
Pathogenesis of Infectious Diseases
Systems Biology
Toxicology
Research Project

Professional recognition
The Institute of Biomedical Science
(IBMS) accredits this degree

programme.