BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE: A COURSE THAT COUNTS

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1 BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE: A COURSE THAT COUNTS Department of Pharmacy, Health and Well-being

2 Why study Biomedical at Sunderland? By studying Biomedical at Sunderland, you are choosing to put your future career in the best possible hands. We have a range of courses, all of which are accredited by the Institute of Biomedical (IBMS). You will learn in our s Complex, based at our city campus, which boasts excellent laboratories and cutting-edge equipment, thanks to multi-million pound investments. Further benefits to choosing Sunderland are: I have really enjoyed the Biomedical course so far. The knowledge of the lecturers is outstanding and the practicals are a true insight into working in a real-life lab something I have always dreamed of! Joshua Arnett, BSc (Hons) Biomedical The BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical and BSc (Hons) Healthcare courses are both approved by the Health & Care Professions Council and lead to eligibility to join the HCPC register as a Biomedical Scientist following graduation. All BSc (Hons) Healthcare courses fulfil the requirements of the NHS s Health Education England Healthcare Programme Board specification for Practitioner Training Programme (PTP). Health Education England also accredits our Healthcare courses. The University has over 100 years of expertise in the science teaching arena

3 Our courses What will you study? Our Biomedical course gives you the opportunity to work towards three possible degree titles. Your degree title will depend on which placements (if any - see below) you undertake as part of your studies: BSc (Hons) Biomedical UCAS code: B940 BSc (Hons) Healthcare (Life s route: CID1069) BSc (Hons) Biomedical UCAS CODE: B940 3/4 years full-time You can opt to take an industrial placement year between your second and third year making this a 4-year course. BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical 4-year full-time The course content is the same as Biomedical but includes a placement year in an NHS laboratory, which will allow you to complete your Institute of Biomedical (IBMS) registration portfolio and graduate with the Heath & Care Professions Council (HCPC) approved title of Biomedical Scientist. BSc (Hons) Healthcare (Blood /Cellular /Genetic / Infection ) Course Code: CID years full-time The course content is the same as Biomedical, but includes a series of integrated clinical placements each year in an approved clinical training laboratory. Places on Applied Biomedical / Healthcare are dependent on the availability of placements in NHS Trust hospitals. Therefore, you can t apply directly for these courses. Instead, you should apply for BSc (Hons) Biomedical and then change to your preferred degree route after the first year. Our Biomedical course is unique in that it provides professional accreditation and allows each student to develop their own skills to make them a highly employable graduate. Dr Robert Pullen, Principal Lecturer Studying Biomedical will develop your knowledge of scientific investigation into human health and disease, through learning how the human body functions and what happens when disease affects it. You will develop a thorough understanding of biomedicine and acquire specialist knowledge in medical microbiology, immunology, pathophysiology and clinical biochemistry. We encourage you to do a placement year. If you undertake an NHS/clinical placement year this will allow you to complete your IBMS registration portfolio and graduate with the Health Professions Council (HPC) approved title of Applied Biomedical Scientist. You will then be able to join the HPC as a Biomedical Scientist (which is a protected title). Those who opt for an industrial placement would graduate with the title Biomedical. Students who wish to do a series of shorter integrated placements (10 weeks in year one, 15 weeks in year two and 25 weeks in year three) can change course to: BSc (Hons) Healthcare. If you decide to study Healthcare, you will choose from one of the following four pathways: Blood it focuses on biochemistry, blood transfusion, haematology and immunology Cellular you will study histology and cytology Genetic you will develop your knowledge of molecular genetics (diagnosis of inherited diseases) and cytogenetics (chromosomal disorders, diagnosis and prognosis of cancer) Infection your focus will be culture and identification of viruses, bacteria and fungi that cause disease, antibiotic sensitivity testing and infection control These routes have the same taught elements as Biomedical but include a series of integrated clinical placements each year, which have been approved by Health Education England. Students who successfully complete work-based learning in a clinical laboratory will graduate with the appropriate Healthcare degree title, e.g. BSc (Hons) Healthcare (Blood ). Students also have the opportunity to complete their IBMS registration portfolio and the PTP training manuals (as defined by the Modernising Scientific Careers curriculum)

4 At Sunderland, our modules provide up-to-date biological theory and the opportunity to gain practical experience. We offer final year students a laboratory-based project, which provides invaluable hands-on practical skills. This will give you a competitive edge in a wide range of scientific jobs or further postgraduate study. Dr Jane Carr Wilkinson, Senior Lecturer PLACEMENT LEVEL 3 YEAR LEVEL 2 LEVEL 1 BSc (Hons) Biomedical No placement year available BSc (Hons) Biomedical (Sandwich degree) Analysis and Measurement Biological Chemistry Cell 1 Human Physiology Clinical and Professional Skills Infection and Immunity Industrial Placement 40 Credits (All Core) Biomedical Project BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Pathophysiology and Therapeutics Cell 2 Infection and Immunity 2 Blood s Biosciences Dissertation 10 credits (All Core) Analytical Research Methods NHS/Clinical Placement 20 Credits (Optional- select four): Pathophysiology Cellular Pathology Clinical Biochemistry Molecular Pathology Human Genetics and Genomics Immunology Medical Microbiology BSc (Hons) Healthcare (Blood /Cellular /Genetic /Infection ) Analysis and Measurement Biological Chemistry Cell 1 Human Physiology Clinical and Professional Skills Infection and Immunity You will also be required to undertake suitable 10-week work placements in your first year. Pathophysiology and Therapeutics Cell 2 Infection and Immunity 2 Blood s Work-Based Learning in Life s (15 weeks placement) 10 Credits (All Core) Analytical Research Methods No placement year available 30 Credits (All Core) Research Project in Healthcare Work-Based Learning in Life s (25 weeks placement) 20 Credits Blood (All Core): Clinical Biochemistry Immunology Cellular (Core): Cellular Pathology Molecular Pathology Cellular (Optional- select 1) Clinical Biochemistry Immunology Human Genetics and Genomics Medical Microbiology Genetic (Core): Molecular Pathology Human Genetics and Genomics Genetic (Optional- select 1): Cellular Pathology Clinical Biochemistry Immunology Medical Microbiology Infection (All Core): Medical Microbiology Molecular Pathology Immunology 6 7

5 Teaching and Assessment Facilities Learning strategies are designed to be innovative, flexible and are built upon established practices within the University. We use a range of different techniques to cater to all learning styles, which includes e-learning, formal lectures, workshops and tutorials, industrial visits, practical laboratory work and independent research projects. Assessment is important for both development and motivation. Our main assessment methods are written coursework, projects, poster and oral presentations, case studies, timeconstrained tests, multiple choice questions and open and closed book examinations. Our external examiner has commented positively on the innovative nature of our assessment and feedback methods. Placements * The employability of Sunderland graduates reflects our mix of academic rigour and practical skills. Placements give you the opportunity to put your learning into practice and, therefore we encourage you to apply for a placement. Industrial placements usually pay on average 14,000-18,000 a year depending on your location. Recent examples include Immunodiagnostic Systems Limited in Boldon and GlaxoSmithKline. Applied Biomedical and Healthcare placements are dependent on the availability of placements in NHS Trust hospitals and are unpaid. Our facilities are modern and boast stateof-the-art equipment for molecular biology, immunology, microbiology, cell biology and physiology. We have a range of specialist equipment that permits biological analysis from DNA level right up to whole organs and organisms. All of this equipment is used within the undergraduate curriculum to inform teaching and includes: Gene analysis: Determining if gene sequences are present, switched on or if their sequence changes help biomedical scientists to detect microorganisms and determine human genetics. We have facilities to perform standard and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), gel electrophoresis, and genetic analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Microscopy: Looking at cells can help detect bacteria or determine if someone has cancer by looking at samples under a microscope. We support teaching of this with a range of microscopes: light, fluorescence, electron and laser scanning con-focal. Cell and organ analysis: It is important to understand how cells and tissues behave biologically. We can count cells and measure proteins and other molecules by a powerful technique flow cytometry. Physiology and Pharmacology: We have a range of equipment to measure normal and abnormal physiology, such as ECG, EEG and the ability to link these to how drugs and therapies affect tissues and organs. Furthermore, automation is beginning to play a larger role in biomedical science and we have a number of robotic systems to facilitate this. Research Our staff undertake their own research and engage with the health care sector to ensure relevance in contemporary practice. Our research is varied and we re currently investigating the following areas: Improving the quality of organs for transplantation The genetics of autism How the immune system responds to exercise Air quality and human health The role of the immune system in psoriasis How bacteria infects humans and animals * Placements are subject to availability and interviews are required 8 9

6 Careers The size and diversity of the health industry offers many opportunities for graduates, and employment prospects are excellent. Over the last four years, % of our students gained employment or moved into further study within six months of graduating. A number extend their studies and proceed onto an MSc, PhD, or take up careers in medicine, dentistry or pharmacy, while others go into teaching. The following should give you an indication of your career options depending on the title of your final degree. BSc (Hons) Biomedical s Potential employers include the NHS, medical research institutions, clinical laboratories, drug companies and molecular biology companies. BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical You will have completed a compulsory 48-week paid placement in NHS pathology departments, which could prove to be a great source of potential employment. Your experience and skills will also support you when applying for any jobs where a strong science background is an advantage. BSc (Hons) Healthcare (Blood /Cellular /Genetic /Infection ) By studying this degree you will be able to apply for a role as a healthcare scientist within the NHS. Our course provides significant amounts of work-based learning, with compulsory unpaid placements amounting to 10 weeks in Year one, 15 weeks in Year two and 25 weeks in Year three. NHS salaries for staff working in healthcare science range from around 21,000 to 80,000 per year. At entry level, the work involves obtaining diagnostic data from patients and working as part of a multidisciplinary team that also includes doctors, nurses and radiographers. My time at Sunderland was excellent. Undertaking a placement was a tremendous experience, which gave me great insight into life as a biomedical scientist. This really boosted my confidence and confirmed that I was on the right career path. Tolu Oyebanji, BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Graduate

7 Other courses Joint Scheme of Extended Programmes - Biomedical Pathway UCAS code: B948 This course offers progression onto Biomedical and is designed for students who don t meet the entry requirements for BSc (Hons) Biomedical. It provides a solid grounding in physiology, biology and chemistry. BSc (Hons) Physiological s UCAS Code: B120 This course allows you to gain an understanding how cells, tissues and organs work together. It covers health and disease, with the option to study the body from a cell biochemistry or genetics perspective. BSc (Hons) BioPharmaceutical UCAS Code: F100 This course will provide you with a range of skills for a career in the pharmaceutical, emerging biopharmaceutical and related industries. These are the largest and most profitable manufacturing industries in the UK. Pharmacy UCAS Code: B230 This course lasts for four years and you will graduate as a Master of Pharmacy (MPharm). The MPharm is the only qualification in the UK that leads to professional registration as a pharmacist. Entry Requirements For full information on all our entry requirements, visit and search using the UCAS course code. Further Information Marketing and Recruitment The David Goldman Informatics Centre The Sir Tom Cowie Campus St Peter s Way Sunderland SR6 0DD t: e: phwb-courseenqs@sunderland.ac.uk w: Applications for entry must be submitted through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). For further details go to When completing your UCAS form please use the following code for the University of Sunderland S84.