Biomedical Sciences (Molecular Biology), BSc
Course Overview
Overview
In the first two years of your degree, you will gain a broad knowledge of subjects related to medical science and in scientific research methods. In addition, you will enhance your critical analysis abilities while developing your interpersonal skills through team-working and oral/written communications.
Advanced knowledge of molecular biology will be acquired in the third and fourth years of the programme. Molecular biology has revolutionised the progress of biology over the last half century, culminating in the determination of the complete human genome sequence, and is central to current investigations to understand the genetic basis of human disease and pathology, as well as to the development of improved crops.
5 year MSci degree
This degree offers you the opportunity to undertake a year’s placement in an industrial, commercial or research environment and graduate after five years with an MSci (an undergraduate Masters degree) instead of a BSc.
AT A GLANCE
| LEARNING MODE | On Campus Learning |
| DEGREE QUALIFICATION | BSc |
| DURATION | 48 months |
| STUDY MODE | Full Time |
What You'll Study
A degree in Biomedical Science (Molecular Biology) is taught via a selection of compulsory and optional courses to enhance your learning and prepare you for a future career or further study. In each year, you will take courses adding up to 120 credits. Depending on the number of compulsory and optional courses offered by your degree, you can also choose other eligible courses which fit your timetable.
How You'll Study
You will be taught using a variety of methods and styles and we continually seek to make the teaching engaging, exciting and responsive to the latest research in your subject area. The research we carry out in the School directly informs and guides our teaching, particularly in the final Honours year. Our commitment to teaching is recognised by the range of Northampton University Student-led Teaching Awards given to staff from our School.
As a student, your learning is supported by MyNorthampton, our virtual learning environment from which you can access the lecture Powerpoint slides, online practice tests, links to related reading, and tutorial support material.
We make innovative use of ‘educational voting’ handsets in class- remote control ‘clickers’ that allow each and every student to electronically respond in class by anonymous vote to questions posed by the lecturer.
Your academic development is supported from year 1 through to year 4 by an assigned personal tutor, who acts as adviser and mentor throughout your University career.
Year 1 will prepare you for more detailed studies of human physiology molecular biology that will be made in the second year of study.
Compulsory Courses
- Introduction to Medical Sciences (NT1001) – 15 Credit Points
- The Cell (NT1501) – 15 Credit Points
- Chemistry for the Life Sciences 1 (NT1020) – 15 Credit Points
- Chemistry for the Life Sciences 2 (NT1512) – 15 Credit Points
- Professional Skills Part 1 (NT1001)
Optional Courses
Select a further 60 credit points from courses of choice.
Year 2 courses will build on your understanding of medical science and explore molecular biology in more detail.
Compulsory Courses
- Physiology of Human Cells (NT20B2) – 15 Credit Points
- Molecular Biology of the Gene (NT20M3) – 15 Credit Points
- Human Anatomy A (NT2009) – 15 Credit Points
- Foundation Skills for Medical Sciences (NT2001) – 15 Credit Points
- Physiology of Human Organ Systems (NT25B2) – 15 Credit Points
- Energy for Life (NT25M7) – 15 Credit Points
- Research Skills for Medical Sciences (NT2501) – 15 Credit Points
- Human Anatomy B (NT2509) – 15 Credit Points
In year 3, you will move on to focus on your chosen specialism of molecular biology, and your courses will reflect this.
Compulsory Courses
- Molecular Biology of the Cell (NT3006) – 30 Credit Points
- The Molecular Control of Cell Function (NT3503) – 30 Credit Points
Optional Courses
Choose either:
- Molecular Microbiology (NT3504) OR Genetics (NT3502) OR Cardiovascular Physiology and Pharmacology (NT3501).
With either:
- Mechanisms of Disease and Principles of Chemotherapy (NT3802) OR Epithelial Physiology (NT3803).
Plus select further courses to a total of 120 credit points.
- Molecular Microbiology (NT3504) – 30 Credit Points
- Genetics (NT3502) – 30 Credit Points
- Cardiovascular Physiology and Pharmacology (NT3501) – 15 Credit Points
- Mechanisms of Disease and Principles of Chemotherapy (NT3802) – 15 Credit Points
- Epithelial Physiology (NT3803) – 15 Credit Points
The Honours year aims to explore in depth, specific aspects of molecular biology. An important feature is the ten-week research project, carried out in research laboratories at the University or in local research institutes.
Compulsory Courses
Honours candidates are required to take both a two hour general examination (NT 4901) and a three hour problem solving examination (NT 4902) at the end of the Final Honours Year.
- Honours Biochemistry – Option 1 (NT4014) – 15 Credit Points
- Honours Biochemistry – Option 2 (NT4314) – 15 Credit Points
- Honours Advanced Molecular Biology (NT4050) – 30 Credit Points
- Biomedical Sciences (Molecular Biology) Honours Research Project (NT4502) – 60 Credit Points
Assessment Methods
Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:
- coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course;
- practical assessments of the skills and competencies learnt on the course; and
- written examinations at the end of each course.
The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, year of study and individual courses.
Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.
Why Study Biomedical Sciences (Molecular Biology)?
- The programme provides you with the scientific content of pre-clinical medicine, plus the opportunity to study cellular processes from the whole-body perspective.
- You will gain a thorough grounding in the core medical sciences, as well as your chosen specialism of molecular biology.
- You will acquire core skills and knowledge vital to the modern workplace, which will also provide you with the ideal training for progress to graduate programmes in medical research, medicine, dentistry and other healthcare professions.
Careers
The Biomedical Sciences degree primarily prepares you to follow a broad range of careers in science relating to medicine. In this respect, the quality of your training will permit you to take advantage of international career opportunities in research and development. The degree can also form the basis for an application to enter Medicine or Dentistry.
Our degree programmes are built to enhance your employability and three flagship options give our degrees a distinctively different flavour from many others. All our degrees offer:
- A 10-week full-time research project in the final year which will provide you with valuable experience of working in a medical science research environment
- The option of an industrial placement year and graduation with an undergraduate MSci
- Highly relevant and sought after experience in bio-business, aimed at giving you an understanding of the commercialisation of scientific ideas and an opportunity to learn about the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries
The BSc Biomedical Sciences degree is not accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (IBMS) and thus our graduates do not achieve their HPC registration at graduation, but instead, if they choose this career path, will gain it following an additional conversion course within hospital laboratories.
Entry requirements
SQA Highers
Standard: AABB*
Applicants who have achieved AABB (or better), are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/ Advanced Highers may be required.
Minimum: BBB*
Applicants who have achieved BBB (or are on course to achieve this by the end of S5) are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/Advanced Highers will normally be required.
Adjusted: BB*
Applicants who have achieved BB, and who meet one of the widening participation criteria are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/Advanced Highers will be required.
* Including good performance in at least two Mathematics/ Science subjects by the end of your senior phase of education.
A LEVELS
Standard: BBB*
Minimum: BBC*
Adjusted: CCC*
* Including good performance in at least two Mathematics/ Science subjects by the end of your senior phase of education.
International Baccalaureate
32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL*.
* Including good performance in at least two Mathematics/ Science subjects by the end of your senior phase of education.
Irish Leaving Certificate
5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3 OR AAABB*, obtained in a single sitting. (B must be at B2 or above)
* Including good performance in at least two Mathematics/ Science subjects by the end of your senior phase of education.
English Language Requirements
English Language Requirements
To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Northampton University it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL – 6.0 with: Listening – 5.5; Reading – 5.5; Speaking – 5.5; Writing – 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL – 78 with: Listening – 17; Reading – 18; Speaking – 20; Writing – 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL – 54 with: Listening – 51; Reading – 51; Speaking – 51; Writing – 54
Cambridge English Advanced & Proficiency:
OVERALL – 169 with: Listening – 162; Reading – 162; Speaking – 162; Writing – 169
How to apply
This programm by online learning has start dates in September and January of each academic year.
We recommend that you apply as early as possible; this is particularly important for applicants who may need to allow sufficient time to take an English language test
Documentation required
Applications are made online via the University Application Service, EUCLID.
Please follow the instructions carefully and make sure that you have included the following documentation with your application:
- Degree certificates showing award of degree.
- Previous academic transcripts for all past degree programmes.
- A reference in support or your application. The reference should be academic and dated no earlier than one year from the start of study on the LLM programme.
- Evidence of English language proficiency, if required.
If you are currently studying for your degree or you are not in a possession of an English test result you may still apply to the programme. Please note that it is your responsibility to submit the necessary documents.
After you apply
After your application has been submitted you will be able to track its progress through the University’s applicant hub.
Application processing times will vary however the admissions team will endeavour to process your application within four to six weeks of submission. Please note that missing documentation will delay the application process.
You will be informed as soon as possible of the decision taken. Three outcomes are possible:
- You may be offered a place unconditionally
- You may be offered a conditional place, which means that you must fulfil certain conditions that will be specified in the offer letter. Where a conditional offer is made, it is your responsibility to inform the College Postgraduate Office when you have fulfilled the requirements set out.
- Your application may be unsuccessful. If your application has not been successful, you can request feedback from us or refer to our guidance for unsuccessful applicants, which explains some of the common reasons we why we reach this decision.
View the University’s guidance for unsuccessful applicants
Terms and conditions of admissions
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The University’s terms and conditions form part of your contract with the University, and you should read them, and our data protection policy, carefully before applying.
Northampton University admissions terms and conditions
