Biomedical Science

Description

The Biomedical Science course at Queen's is designed to equip our students with the knowledge and skills base required for life-long learning in one of the most rapidly expanding areas of modern science. To do this we provide a range of learning experiences:

• Lectures: are given in large groups and introduce students to new topics to provide direction and inspiration for private study.

• Practicals: are generally given to smaller group sizes and are designed to allow students to see how some of the principles introduced in lectures can be observed in living organisms. This type of class also provides the opportunity to develop technical skills and since they are assessed, receive formative feedback on academic progress.

• Tutorials: help to engage students with the learning process, since they involve the formation of small groups to problem solve and disseminate information to the rest of the class.

• E-Learning: Much of the resources to support lectures and tutorials are provided through a Virtual Learning Environment called Queens Online, which uses a range of e-learning experiences including interactive group workshops and podcasts.

• Work-related Learning: Between second and final year students are given the opportunity to take a year out to work in a research laboratory in the USA, a significant learning and employability enhancement opportunity.

• Supervised Projects: In final year, a supervised research project on a topic of your choice, makes a significant contribution to the final degree classification and provides valuable skills and insight into the world of academic research.

• Self-Directed Study: Students are expected to undertake private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research or preparation work.

• Personal Tutors. Students are assigned an Advisor of Studies who can advise on person and academic matters. Students will also be assigned to a tutor in one of the School’s Research Centres where they will gain experience with research teams in a working laboratory setting

Many of our lecturers are world-class researchers who enrich their teaching with methods and models from the cutting edge of biomedical research and whose international collaborations provide our students with research opportunities abroad. Professional Biomedical Scientists from NHS laboratories also make a major contribution to the programme.

Careers

The new degree programme in Biomedical Science at Queens is aimed at students wishing to pursue a career in:

• diagnostic laboratory science as Biomedical Scientists within the National Health Service,
• research or management careers in the Pharmaceutical or Biotechnology Industries
• Academic Research.

Although the majority of graduates in Biomedical Science are interested in pursuing a career in the field, the degree also affords opportunities for careers in the broad field of medicine and medically-related subjects such as medical sales and science writing. In addition, the degree provides access to graduate jobs open to any discipline. Many students go into further study after their degree, completing masters and PhDs and a significant proportion of graduates gain entry to a Medical degree both at QUB and abroad.

Degree Plus and other related initiatives: Recognising student diversity, promoting employability enhancements and other interests is part of the developmental experience at Queen’s. Students are encouraged to plan and build their own, personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including; recognised Queen’s Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Erasmus study options elsewhere in Europe and learning development supports as well as involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies, and sports.

Queen’s actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students). Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts. As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers.

Detailed Course Facts

• EUR 4160 Year (EEA)
• EUR 13380 Year (Non-EEA)

England, Scotland and Wales £9,000; EU £3,575; International: £11,500

• English

Course Content

The Biomedical Science degree at Queen's is based on a foundation knowledge of:

• Genetics
• Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology
• Mammalian Biochemistry
• Micro-organisms
• Molecular Biology

This theme is continued at Level 2, with:

• An integrated presentation of human disease mechanisms (Pathobiology)
• Specialist knowledge of all the individual disciplines within diagnostic Biomedical Science (Biomedical Science in Practice)
• The core Biomedical Science subjects of Molecular Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, and
• A stand-alone module in Immunobiology, which provides an underpinning for much of our teaching in human disease as well as modern assay techniques

The clinical disciplines of Clinical Biochemistry, Bacteriology, Haematology and Histopathology are further developed at Level 3 in conjunction with a double module of individual research by every student in a final year laboratory project.

This degree programme has been developed to provide our graduates with the key skills to function effectively in diagnostic and research laboratories within the National Health Service, pharmaceutical industry or academia. Our students demonstrate practical laboratory skills in addition to a deep understanding and ability to communicate their underlying scientific principles.

In addition to the specific programme content, there is an emphasis in our study modules on teamwork and communication skills, problem-solving and IT – skills which should assist graduates in careers beyond those immediately related to medicine.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

• A-level AB (in any order in Biology/Human Biology and Chemistry) B + GCSE Mathematics
  OR
  A (Biology or Chemistry) AB including a second science subject + GCSE Biology and Chemistry or Double Award Science + GCSE Mathematics
• Irish Leaving Certificate AB2 (in any order in Biology and Chemistry) B2B2B2 + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade C in Mathematics

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than Queen's University Belfast.

Accreditation

This degree, which is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science, is aimed at students wishing to pursue a career in diagnostic laboratory science as Biomedical Scientists within the National Health Service, research or management careers in the pharmaceutical industries or academic research.