Biomedical Science BSc Honours

Your first year covers biomolecular, cells and human sciences as well as a module on professional practice in Biomedical Science.

This module aims to introduce you to the biomedical profession and job prospects while developing essential laboratory skills, safety practices, and communication methods necessary for academic and professional advancement, particularly in clinical laboratory settings. This module also aims to promote teamwork among students and encourages self-reflection as an integral component of professional development practices.

This module aims to provide you with the skills and underpinning knowledge on the basic principles of biochemistry. This will include the knowledge of the structure and function of the key biomolecules and their role in metabolism. The module combines elements of biology and chemistry to relate to the understanding of metabolic diseases, health and wellbeing. 

This year covers disciplines of blood, cellular and infectious sciences, molecular and genetic sciences as well as research methods with aspects of professional development

This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the principles, practices, quality assurance, and applications of commonly used screening and diagnostic techniques of molecular diagnostics and clinical genetics for disease investigation. Additionally, the module aims to enhance your knowledge of how to apply common molecular biology techniques for pathogen identification. Furthermore, the module aims to equip you with basic bioinformatics tools used in the study of genes associated with disease.

This module introduces you to the concept of integrated pathology. This module provides a comprehensive understanding of different types of common diseases, disease mechanisms and diagnostic techniques. On this module you explore the multidisciplinary nature of disease investigation, management, and prevention, emphasising biochemical techniques for screening, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring.

The aims of this module are to give you an understanding of the many ways in which the immune response protects the host from infectious disease. This module also aims to provide you with an understanding of the structure and function of infectious agents and their control. You will also be taught more advanced microbiological techniques that will enable you to characterise infectious agents.

The overall aim of this module is that you gain knowledge about the characteristics, diagnosis, and management of various blood disorders, and understand and gain experience in a range of core and specialised haematological techniques used for screening, diagnosing and monitoring blood-related disorders. It is also aimed to equip you with knowledge and skills in transfusion sciences, including interpretation of blood groups and antibodies, safe supply and administration of blood components, understanding their importance in the clinical investigation of patients. 

In your final year, you will take specialised modules in transplantation, blood transfusion, clinical biochemistry and medical microbiology or cellular molecular pathology. You will also take a final dissertation project this year.

You may take a year-long placement either after year 2 or year 3 of your study. See our placements section for further details.

This module provides you with a critical understanding of what happens when the immune response become dysregulated leading to immune mediated pathology and neoplasm. You will also get a sound knowledge of pathogenicity, epidemiology, antimicrobial agents and resistance, One Health concept, and the global emergence, prevention and control of microbial infections. You will acquire practical skills of laboratory diagnostic methods that will enable you to identify bacterial pathogens.

This module provides you with the skills to plan, implement, analyse and report project-based work, in preparation for the final year project module. The module also develops core research skills for scientific research design. Specific research skills include analytical techniques and provides you with an insight into the translation of science into real-world solutions and the factors affecting innovation, and knowledge production and transfer.

The aims of this module are to give you a working knowledge of the principles and practice of cellular and molecular pathology and to gain experience in the application of commonly used techniques and the delivery of cellular pathology services. Emphasis is placed on the use of histological equipment, and on routine and special staining techniques for the demonstration of pathological conditions.

This module enhances specialised knowledge, ethical awareness, and skills in research, technology, and communication. It promotes further development in analytical thinking, critical evaluation, synthesis of complex information alongside advancing scientific writing skills essential for career advancement prospects.  

You will be enabled to pursue areas of individual interest in the subject area appropriate to your target award and will have the opportunity of gaining increased theoretical and practical knowledge in a chosen specialist field. Individual research experience will be gained in an area that may provide future employment opportunities. Personal responsibility for own learning through self-directed study and supervised preparation will be fostered. It is an integral part of the degree programme, furthering the development of skills in critical analysis and reflection. 

Year 4 - Applied Biomedical only

The module will provide you with an opportunity to develop and then consolidate your knowledge and understanding of the day-to-day management and routines of hospital pathology laboratories. In addition, you will be able to acquire the knowledge and skills required for registration as biomedical scientists with the Health and Care Professions Council and prepare for the IBMS assessment of their Registration Portfolio.

You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience.

The team includes academics, medical doctors, professional practitioners, and technical staff. Graduate teaching assistants or trained PhD students and Students Learning Assistants will support teaching sessions.

The course combines practical sessions with lectures, seminars and workshops. Sessions in our laboratory facilities, which feature new-generation equipment, provide you with the space to understand key principles, techniques and applications, allowing you to investigate patient conditions and provide diagnoses.

Seminars and workshops are a great opportunity to discuss what you have learnt with your peers and tutors. Most seminar groups have about 30–40 students.

Your work will be divided into credits. Each credit is equal to 10 hours of study time. You will complete 120 credits per year of study, which are broken down into modules of typically 15 or 30 credits.

Your learning will be supported by using interactive teaching platforms and virtual labs providing a realistic laboratory experience. You'll have access to several online learning tools which can be used at your own pace, and in your own time.

You'll work on problem-solving exercises and patient case studies, take part in class discussions and presentations, and build up a portfolio of work. You'll do some work in groups to straighten your collaboration and leadership skills. An important part of the course involves designing and undertaking your own research project in your final year. You'll also undertake personal study in your free time.

Research

Multidisciplinary research at Middlesex University focuses mainly on cancer diagnosis and therapy, reproductive biology, blood disorders, immunology, medical microbiology and medical engineering.

You'll develop your skills on the newest equipment in our Sciences and Technology facilities which include microbiology and molecular biology labs, a bioscience suite, cell and tissue culture labs, Centre for Investigative & Diagnostic Oncology, mass spectrometry and analytical facilities.

In your final year, you will be working with one of our Research Groups on a dissertation project:

• Diagnostic Biomarkers Research Group
• Molecular Biology group
• Biophysics and Bioengineering group
• Reproductive Biology group.

Whether you are studying full or part-time – your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study.

We aim to make timetables available to students at least 2 weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus laboratory sessions.

Typical weekly breakdown

During your first year, your weekly timetable will typically consist of:

• 10 hours of interactive sessions
• 2 hours of supervised laboratory practical's

Teaching vs independent learning

Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework, presentations and exams.

Your independent learning is supported by the library and study hub, laptop hire, and with online materials in MyMDX.

Here is an indication of how you will spend your time:

Year 1

Year 2 and 3

Our excellent teaching and support teams will help you develop the skills relevant to your degree from research and practical skills to critical thinking. And we offer free 24-hour laptop loans with full desktop software, free printing and Wi-Fi to use on or off campus, even over the weekend.

Your learning will be assessed regularly. The exact balance will depend on the modules you are taking. The table below is a good guide.

We'll test your understanding and progress with informal and formal tests including closed book on-campus exams.

The informal tests usually take place at least once per module, from which you’ll receive feedback from your tutor. The grades from these tests don’t count towards your final marks.

There are formal assessments for each module, usually at the end, which will count towards your module and your final marks.

Assessments are regularly reviewed and may be updated based on student feedback or feedback from an external examiner.

To help you achieve the best results, we will provide regular feedback.

Biomedical Science runs as a three-year course full-time (with a part-time option). If you are eligible you can opt to extend the course by a year, doing a work placement, for example in a commercial, research or NHS pathology laboratory. If you're studying Applied Biomedical Science, you'll be able to do a placement in our partner pathology diagnostics laboratories where you can complete your portfolio to become an HCPC-registered Biomedical Scientist.

You'll have fantastic opportunities to go out on placement in prestigious London hospitals such as The Whittington Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital, North Middlesex Hospital, University College London Hospitals, Northwick Park Hospital, Hemel Hempstead Hospital, as well as the laboratories at NHS Blood & Transplant and the Doctors Laboratory or Health Service Laboratories at The Halo Building.

Throughout your degree on sandwich or Applied Biomedical Science courses, you'll work in labs including NHS pathologies laboratories in London.

• Placements will take place as a 12-month block taken between a fourth year on the Applied Biomedical Science BSc
• This training may make you eligible for IBMS membership and state registration with the Healthcare Professions Council as a Biomedical Scientist
• You'll have a training officer who'll ensure that you are given the appropriate learning opportunities to meet the module outcomes and a mentor from university.

Placements and internships greatly improve graduate employment prospects, and those who take part achieve excellent academic results through applying their learning in a professional setting.

Our specialist employability service and London location ensure that every year our students and graduates gain prestigious placement opportunities.