BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science

Why choose this programme?

Based at the second oldest medical school in the UK, on a site shared with one of Europe’s largest and busiest hospitals, the learning environment offered is unique, ensuring inter-professional teaching in a healthcare specialist university.

One particular feature of this programme is that, on successful completion, there is an opportunity for the best performing students to progress into the Clinical Transition year of the International Medicine (BSc/MBBS) programme to complete one year of clinical practice in London, and a further two clinical practice years in the United States or other INTO St George’s, University of London affiliated international clinical-training sites, in order to qualify as a doctor.

How is the programme validated and recognised?

The programme is professionally accredited and quality assured by St George’s, University of London. Successful completion of the programme leads to the award of a St George’s Hospital Medical School Bachelor of Science degree (with Honours) with the opportunity to progress into a wide range of scientific careers as well as the opportunity to progress into medical training.

Academic content

Each year of the programme is divided into two semesters, with the Clinical Science modules run in conjunction with the International Medicine program.

Year 1 - Semester 1

Clinical Science 1

Part of the International Foundation Programme in the Health Sciences, this module enables students from all the health disciplines to understand the basic science underlying the practice of their various professions. It covers the structure and function of the body’s systems of life support, life maintenance, life cycle, life structure and life control, and includes an introduction to Physiology, Pathology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Histology, Anatomy, Neuroscience, Mental Health, Immunology and Infection, and Haematology.

Cellular and Molecular Biology 1

This module covers the structure, ultrastructure and function of the living cell, including its major organelles, within the evolutionary context of the differences and similarities between experimental organisms and humans.

Biomedical Skills and Technologies 1

This module provides you with direct experience of fundamental techniques used in Biomedical laboratories by developing the skills required for design of experiments and data analysis, as well as the critical understanding of scientific literature.

Semester 2

Clinical Science 2

In this module you will cover the structure and function of the major organs and body systems responsible for life support, including the cardiovascular, respiratory, gut, kidney and body fluids, and endocrine systems, as well as the fundamental role of metabolism in health and disease.

Cellular and Molecular Biology 2

This module covers the structure and function of the human genome, and the application of biochemistry, molecular biology and molecular genetics to diagnosis, medical research and biotechnology.

Biomedical Skills and Technologies 2

This module gives you direct experience of molecular biology techniques, as well as the critical interpretation of the associated results, including applications of bioinformatics.

 

 

 

Year 2 - Semester 1

Clinical Science 3

In this module you cover the structure and function of the major organs and body systems responsible for life structure and control, in health and disease, as well as the musculoskeletal, skin and nervous systems.

Therapeutics and Investigations 1

This module describes the fundamental principles of drug development, and the scientific basis of laboratory technologies used to assess the effect of drugs on physiological function. It also covers a range of investigations of cells, bodily fluids and the whole body.

Biomedical Skills and Technologies 3

This module provides direct experience of more advanced techniques used in research and diagnostic laboratories. It also offers you the chance to individually research and write a review of a selected topic.

Semester 2

Clinical Science 4

This module covers the structure and function of the major organs and body systems responsible for life cycle and protection, in health and disease. This includes reproduction, growth and development, ageing, infection and immunology, and cancer.

Therapeutics and Investigations 2

In this module you cover the investigations designed to distinguish between normal and abnormal states which are performed in the Pathology Diagnostic Specialisms: Clinical Biochemistry; Clinical Immunology; Haematology and Transfusion; Cellular Pathology; and Medical Microbiology.

Biomedical Skills and Technologies 4

This module covers the role and function of the Pathology Laboratories using a case–based, integrated, system–led approach to the study of disease and treatment of disease, including practical experience of relevant techniques.

Year 3 - Final Year

The final year provides advanced coverage of a variety of topics and the opportunity to undertake in-depth research. Your work is supervised by academic and research staff in the individual research laboratories and other units within St George’s, University of London. You choose from a variety of taught courses (examples previously offered given below) and will be able to undertake your research project in a related area:

Biology of Cancer, Clinical Aspects of Birth Defects, Clinical Aspects of Cancer Genetics, Clinically Applied Musculoskeletal Anatomy, Clinical Neuroscience

Cloning, Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Development and Disease, Diagnostic Microbiology, Genes and Gene Expression in Eukaryotic Cells

Health Psychology, Human Cardiovascular and Respiratory, Pharmacology, Human Genetics, Images of Anatomy, Immunity and Infection

Leadership in Disaster Medicine, Learning and Teaching: Student and Professional, Medical Ethics and Law, Therapeutics: Protein to Patient