The BSc Biomedical Sciences degree allows you to explore the progression and treatment of human diseases through the study of how cells, organs and systems function in the human body. Throughout the degree a particular focus is placed on age-related diseases. You will also explore the different treatments methods and lifestyle considerations used to aid healthy living and aging. Further still, you will gain the laboratory skills required for the identification and treatment of human disease.
You will explore the delivery, partitioning, metabolism and elimination of drugs in the context of both their clinical use and drug design. You will also be able to investigate how nutrition will impact human health as well as the development and application of experimental approaches used to assess gene function through genome sequencing and mapping. From these analyses, information will inform new predictive strategies, identifying new and useful genes and potential drug targets; understanding of gene behaviour, and the development of novel therapeutic products will also be provided.
On this degree you will enhance your future prospects with our integrated year in industry, which can lead to careers in the fields of teaching, clinical and community healthcare, clinical genetics, forensic laboratory analysis or diagnostic pathology. Careers in the clinical trials and regulatory sector, National Health Service or research and development for the pharmaceutical, diagnostics, medical devices/laboratory instrumentation industries will also be available.
Student Satisfaction and Employability Results
95% of students agreed that staff are good at explaining things (NSS 2020).
98% of our graduates were in work or further study within 6 months, 3% more than Biological Science graduates nationally, (HESA 2018*)
Overview
Why study Biomedical Sciences at Aberystwyth University?
You will study a Biomedical Sciences degree with a unique focus on human biology, health, exercise and nutrition;
You will be taught by passionate, engaged and friendly staff with expertise across the full range of biological topics;
You will be part of the IBERS department that has a designated Well-being and Health Assessment Research Unit;
Your academic studies will be bolstered by a wealth of laboratory and field-work which build real scientific skills essential for your future;
Our teaching and e-learning facilities provide you with an outstanding learning experience integrating the classroom sessions and a vast repository of study resources;
You will be assigned a personal tutor who can guide you through your time at Aberystwyth and help you to settle in when you first arrive;
Aberystwyth is a vibrant university town that provides an excellent student experience and stunning environment to live and learn;
After the degree you will be well placed to pursue a career in health and medical related industries, postgraduate-level study or medical school enrolment.
Our Staff
The majority of teaching staff at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences are qualified to PhD level and are research active. Vocational courses also have staff whose background lies within industry. The Institute has a large number of research only staff with whom students may have contact.
Modules
Please note: The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery during the next academic year and may be subject to change. They are included here to give an indication of how the course is structured.
* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh
Employability
Potential Careers
Our graduates become strong candidates for the following fields:
Bio-Medicine;
Health and Allied Professions;
Education.
Students who have completed a biology degree could also progress to further training in Medicine.
The University has an excellent Careers Advisory Service and we have our own dedicated, professional Careers Advisor. We also have a member of staff who is Director of Employability for IBERS and we are constantly striving to embed and enhance the delivery of real-world skills into every module we offer.
What skill will I develop from studying Biomedical Sciences?
Employability is embedded in our teaching. Our students leave Aberystwyth University with the skills including:
Research and data analysis skills;
Enhanced mathematical and computational skills;
Effective problem-solving and creative thinking skills;
Thorough grounding in information technology skills;
Ability to work independently;
Time-management and organisational skills, including the ability to meet deadlines;
Ability to express ideas and communicate information in a clear and structured manner, in both written and oral form;
Self-motivation and self-reliance;
Team-working, with the ability to discuss concepts in groups, accommodating different ideas and reaching agreement.
What work experience opportunities exist whilst studying?
The indicative content required for a Biomedical Sciences degree, including human anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, microbiology, pharmacology, cell and molecular biology and bioinformatics are covered by the scheme’s core modules. There are also a choice of optional modules that will help you learn about clinical assessment with a client/patient and/or develop laboratory-based clinical skills.
Learning
The Biomedical Sciences degree is structured to test your knowledge, develop independent thought and skills acquisition and to provide the sort of transferable information useful to employers. How you will learn will take various forms in some or all of the following modes:
Laboratory and/or fieldwork reports;
Dissertation report;
Work experience assessment;
Observed practice;
Laboratory and/or field skill competencies;
Online activities;
Essays, summaries and assignments;
Data interpretation exercises;
Critical analysis of case studies;
Oral, poster and other presentations such as journal articles;
Unseen examinations, seen or open-book examinations, computer-based assessments.
Further Information
You will be assigned a personal tutor throughout your degree course, who will help you with any problems or queries, whether these are academic-related or personal issues. You should feel free to contact them at any time for help and advice.
You will also have the opportunity to complete a Personal Development Plan (PDP). This is a structured process of self-appraisal, reflection and planning, which will enable you to chart your personal, academic and professional development throughout your time at university. By recording your academic performance and highlighting the skills you already have and those you will need for future employability, the PDP portfolio will equip you with the necessary tools to plan effectively, develop successful approaches to study, and consider your future career options and aspirations.
