Biomedical Scientists carry out the complex and diverse investigations required in modern hospital pathology laboratories. They provide the scientific information required for effective diagnosis and treatment. To do this they require an in depth knowledge of the causes of disease and the practical ways in which they can be investigated. This degree programme aims to provide this knowledge.

If you want to study Biomedical Sciences but have not yet got the right entry qualifications, why not start with our Extended Degree in Biomedical Science (feeds in at level 1)

• The programme at UEL is based around the study of the biology of disease.
• All specialist areas of Biomedical Sciences are included in the programme, which is therefore broadly based and relatively non specialist.
• Students can obtain paid clinical training in accredited hospital laboratories by taking an optional sandwich year.
• Offers extensive laboratory training through all years of the programme
• Shares a common first year with other Bioscience degrees at UEL, leaving you an option to transfer to similar degree programmes at the end of the first year.

• Students follow a 4-year sandwich degree programme or a 3-year full-time programme. The programme can also be followed part-time.
• At Level 1 biochemistry, cell biology, physiology and microbiology are introduced in modules on Cellular Biology, Cellular Processes, Human Physiology and Microbiology. Skills for Biosciences and Human Health and Disease modules provide general background skills, statistics, chemistry, IT and laboratory skills. These modules also include an introduction to the biology of disease processes.
• At Level 2, students continue the study of biochemistry with modules of Metabolism and Molecular Biology. Modern molecular biology methods and their medical applications are introduced in Molecular Genetics, and Practical and Employability investigates the major methods of laboratory investigation. The study of human physiology is continued in Physiological Function and Dysfunction, which also includes an introduction to the histology of normal and pathological tissues. The biology of disease-causing micro-organisms is studied in Medical Microbiology.
• The third year of study can be spent away from the University in an agreed work placement. (see below).
• The final year (Level 3) contains modules of Medical Biochemistry, looking at the biochemical causes of disease, including cancer and arterial disease, Infectious Disease Processes, which continues the study of medical microbiology and Immunology, which investigates the body’s defence systems. In Cellular Pathology and Haematology you will learn to identify normal and pathological tissue under the microscope and will study blood and the diseases of the blood. In the final taught module, Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Science, you will continue the study of the medically important aspects of immunology together with a study of blood storage and transfusion.
• In the final third year module you do an individual research project involving original self directed work. This may be laboratory based, or it may involve a library investigation, but in either case it will involve the generation and assessment of data.

Learning is encouraged through participation in a wide variety of activities including lectures, seminars, workshops, laboratory-based practicals, external visits, distance learning, web-based learning etc. You study 3 modules per semester. Each module has 5 to 6h contact per week, and may need up to10h further individual study per week.
Success at university depends on developing your ability to study independently using library resources, CAL, handouts and web-based study activities.

The first year has a Skills module each semester. These help you make the major shift to independent learning needed at university, compared to schools and FE colleges, and also help to develop those transferable skills so important in working life.

Students are assessed in practical work and theory. In most modules 50% of the module mark is derived from coursework during the semester (this can take a variety of forms including laboratory work, data analysis, essays, oral presentations etc.) and 50% from unseen written theory examination at the end of the semester.

• Level 1 (Year 1) modules introduce you to the standards and types of assessment used at university. Some have theory exams staged at intervals through the semester. Although they do not contribute to your final Honours grade, you are expected to achieve at least 40% in all Level 1 modules.
• Your final Honours grade uses marks from Level 2 and Level 3 modules only. Your Level 1 modules prepare you to do your best in these later years.
• If a module is not passed at the first opportunity, marks from later opportunities are capped at 40%

• The third year of the programme can be spent in a Sandwich Placement. This is optional but it is strongly recommended for students on this programme, for whom it will provide significant advantages in obtaining HPC Registration.
• Placements are arranged in accredited hospital pathology laboratories and students can complete a proportion of the practical requirement for State Registration during their placement year. It is unlikely that all the State Registration requirements will be completed within the year, but students are encouraged to return to the placement laboratory at the end of their programme to complete the clinical requirements. In this way students can currently become HPC Registered very shortly after graduation. . Arrangements for funding of placements vary, but most are paid at Trainee Biomedical Scientist level.

It should be noted that sandwich placement cannot be guaranteed. Placements are awarded by competitive interview, and the decision on who is placed is made by an interview panel from the hospitals accepting placement students, not the University. Placements can be in any of the specialist areas of Biomedical Sciences (Clinical Biochemistry, Medical Microbiology, Haematology, Cellular Pathology or Immunology). Visits to hospital laboratories will be arranged in the second year of the programme so that students are familiar with each of the specialist areas before applying for placement.

• Project work is an essential component of an Honours degree programme and one that most students enjoy. Small projects and group work exercises feature throughout the programme.
• Your final year includes an individual research project module in the final semester.
• Project work encourages students to show initiative in their individual work under supervision in a laboratory, using appropriate techniques to generate and interpret new data.
• Most projects continue investigating areas of clinical interest such as cancer therapy, vaccine development and the development of clinical tests.
• Projects may be library or laboratory based or may involve analysis of clinical data

• Extensive personal support throughout the course.
• Sound practical as well as academic training.
• Excellent job prospects for all students at the end of the course both in the NHS and elsewhere.
• Effective careers advice and support available.

• Finding out more about how diseases develop and are treated.
• Developing your knowledge of medical sciences.
• Studying practical methods relevant to diagnosis and treatment of disease.
• Understanding how current knowledge about disease depends on study at many levels: molecules, cells, and whole organisms.
• Improving your scientific skills of logical argument and analysis.
• Having a professional career in the NHS or elsewhere at the end of your programme.
• Having the satisfaction of a career which contributes to the well being of society as a whole.

• Reading or hearing about research and/ or medicine (do you already enjoy TV documentaries like Horizon or Equinox, radio science programmes, New Scientist articles?).
• The challenge of increasing not just your knowledge of facts, but also your understanding of how science contributes to the search for new solutions to problems.
• Doing scientific procedures and experiments in laboratories and IT labs with precision.
• Working in laboratories using standard and novel techniques to solve problems.
• Being able to study quietly and individually away from formal staff-led sessions.

• To focus eventually on one specific area of biomedical science, but still keep your career options open.
• The chance of reviewing your degree programme at the end of the first year and possibly changing to Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology, or a more general Biosciences degree.
• The option of a year's work experience in a laboratory away from the University.

While we would expect that most graduates would want to become HPC Registered, the degree programme is well regarded by potential employers and graduates are sought after. Many students go on to research degrees and to jobs in research institutes, industrial and pharmaceutical laboratories and in sales. Because the degree is broadly based it is also an excellent qualification for a teaching career.

Graduates who become HPC Registered may work in NHS Trust pathology laboratories, but might also work in the Public Health Laboratory Service, the National Blood Authority, the Health and Safety Executive or forensic laboratories. Most graduates progress quickly through the profession, completing a Specialist Portfolio within the first two years of professional work, and usually progress to an MSc programme. It is now possible to complete a Professional Doctorate by part time study at a number of UK universities including UEL whilst working as a Biomedical Scientist.
In addition to NHS jobs, recent graduates have progressed to:

• Higher degrees in Biomedical Science related areas (MSc, PhD).
• Research Institutes, industrial research laboratories, research in hospitals.
• Sales
• Further study in other disciplines, e.g. MSc (e.g. IT ; Business), MBA, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy.
• Training as a teacher. (e.g. enrol on PGCE programmes at UEL)

The School of Health and Bioscience provides immediate contact with University support systems.

• In your first year, you are allocated a Personal Tutor (a member of staff familiar with your degree). You will see your Tutor at regular intervals to discuss progress and life in general.
• Module leaders and Degree pathway leaders also give support on academic matters, and advice about other specialist help available through the University.
• The School of Health and Biosciences office has a Help Desk to advise how to get the right assistance.
• Internet homepages are used by many staff to support their teaching and your learning.
• Lecture and practical files, quizzes, mark summaries and much more is now available for several modules via UEL Plus links

Throughout the programme you will find a number of scheduled support activities devoted to specific aspects e.g. how to write your project report, or more general aspects such as careers.

Support for students on a University level includes:

• Libraries and Learning Resource Centres
• Careers advice and information
• Counselling and Advice for practical problems
• Health Centre with a nurse regularly on duty
• Language tuition
• Dyslexia support
• Accommodation

• A School of Biosciences with staff and facilities to match the wide interests and backgrounds of students.
• Sports facilities at the Atherton Centre, which is just a few minutes walk away.
• Multiplex cinema, theatre, supermarkets, high street shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs a few minutes walk away in Stratford - a major site of new development in East London.
• Central London only 20 minutes away by underground and extensive transport links with all parts of London.