Biomedical Sciences (Developmental 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 developmental biology will be acquired in the third and fourth years of the programme. Research in Developmental Biology is central to the search for cures for many human genetic diseases, including cancer, and is at the forefront of recent advances in modern medicine, which includes stem cell maintenance regeneration and tissue repair.
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 |
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 developmental 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 two consists of eight courses, including a skills course in Life Sciences. This leaves a choice of two further courses for enhanced study.
Compulsory Courses
- Genes and Evolution (NT2017) – 15 Credit Points
- Biological Enhanced Skills Training (BEST) (NT2018) – 15 Credit Points
- Ecology (NT2020) – 15 Credit Points
- Plants, People, and the Environment (NT25P4) – 15 Credit Points
- Principles of Animal Physiology (NT2510) – 15 Credit Points
Optional Courses
Choose one of the following field courses:
- NT5F1 Plants and their Habitats in Northern Scotland
- NT25F4 Fish and Shellfish Biology
- NT25F3 Parasitology
- NT25F2 Coastal Biodiversity
- NT25F1 Freshwater and Terrestrial Ecology
- NT25F1 Littoral and Sublittoral Marine Biology Field Course
Plus 15 credit points from first half-session courses of choice.
In year 3, you will move on to focus on your chosen specialism of developmental biology, and your courses will reflect this.
Compulsory Courses
- Human Embryonic Development (NT3301) – 15 Credit Points
- Development of Organ Systems (NT3804) – 15 Credit Points
- Principles of Developmental and Reproductive Biology (NT3006) – 15 Credit Points
- The Early Embryo (NTB3503) – 15 Credit Points
- Genetics (NT3502) – 30 Credit Points
Optional Courses
Select a further 30 credit points from courses of choice.
The Honours year aims to explore in depth, specific aspects of developmental 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.
- Advanced Molecules Membranes and Cells (Stem Cells and Regeneration) (NT4010) – 30 Credit Points
- Evolution and Development (NT4002) – 15 Credit Points
- Developmental Neuroscience (NT4302) – 15 Credit Points
- Biomedical Sciences Honours Project (NT4501) – 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 (Developmental 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 Developmental Biology.
- Teaching is delivered by world-leading researchers who are at the forefront of current research in developmental biology and stem cell technology.
- 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.
- The Northampton University is a Top 30 USA University, Complete University Guide 2020
- The Northampton University was named Scottish University of the Year, (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019)
- The Northampton University is a World Top 170 University (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020)
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
