| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-17 | 2023-06-30 |
| 2024-01-22 | 2024-11-30 |
Program Overview
Biomedical Sciences is in the premier league of universities with “100% of our research environment judged to be world-leading, 95% of our impact judged to be world leading or internationally excellent and 81% of our research papers judged to be world leading or internationally excellent in UK Research Excellence Framework 2014. We are ranked among the top five universities in the UK in terms of research power in biomedical science. We were also ranked in the top 5 UK universities to study biosciences in 2019. Through exposure to an internationally recognized research environment with state-of-the-art facilities, including the £14.5 million Centre for Molecular Bioscience (CMB), students have the chance to gain unique insights into cutting-edge research and how this contributes to knowledge and understanding of health and disease. IT Sligo is the leading higher-education institute in Ireland in the development and delivery of online educational programmes. With over 15 year’s experience in the online education field this leadership position was recognised in 2012 when IT Sligo was granted a ‘Taoiseach’s Public Service Excellence Award’ for its achievements in promoting online learning for both fulltime and part-time students. The School of Science is foremost in IT Sligo’s distance learning achievements, with more than 500 online science students from countries as far away as Australia, the US, Canada and Oman, as well as 1,100 full-time science students.
Attendance
Normally 4 years, over 9 semesters. This programme is fully online. However, students must attend laboratory practicals at Sligo in Years 1 (2 days), 2 (2 days) and 3 (1 day), and in Year 3 (2 days) and Year 4 (1 day and 1 day) either at Coleraine or in the work place for those students with work-based access to appropriate laboratory facilities.
Start dates
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
Students will participate in an induction on how to be an effective online learner and how to use the Moodle and Blackboard Learn virtual learning environment. This will include an optional induction day at IT Sligo, prior to commencement of the course, and continue with online support over the first two weeks of teaching. Subject specific tutors support students to engage in a range of teaching and learning methods. Student participate in Moodle and Blackboard Learn posted online lectures, many of which are inclusive of problem based interactive tasks. Through the Institute’s and University’s online libraries, students gain access to their directed reading, in the form of e-books and journal articles. Students participate in tutor supported online activities and discussions, and in online self-assessment quizzes. Students studying the Science Laboratory Skills 1, Biomedical Science Laboratory Skills 1 & 2, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Medical Microbiology and Clinical Biochemistry modules are required to carry out a number of laboratory practical sessions. This means attendance by students at the state-of-art-facilities at IT Sligo in Year 1 (2 days), Year 2 (2 days), and Year 3 (1 day). If a student works in, or has access to approved training laboratories in the NHS/HSE or equivalent, then the Molecular Biology and Genetics. Medical Microbiology and Clinical Biochemistry practical sessions can be carried out at his or her place of work. Otherwise, a student must attend Coleraine in Year 3 (2 days before the 1 day at Sligo) and Year 4 (1 day and 1 day) for practical sessions.
Students will be assessed by a combination of Coursework and Examinations. Students undertake traditional written examinations, either at the campuses of IT Sligo or Coleraine or in their locality through the "Proctoring system" for IT Sligo delivered modules and the “Guarantor system” for Ulster University delivered modules. If a student opts to take his or her IT Sligo examinations via the "Proctoring system", which enables online examination administration within the home environment, then there is a small fee per exam. If a student opts to take his or her Ulster University examinations via the “Guarantor system” then he or she must nominate a line manager or professional to administer his or her exams under Ulster University specified conditions. Coursework includes essays, tests, critical reviews, plans, reflective statements, practical reports, journal based learning, case study reports, problem solving/data interpretation, and research papers.
Academic profile
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (20%) or Lecturers (55%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advanced HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures correct for academic year 2021-2022.
Program Outline
Careers & opportunities
In this section
- Graduate employers
- Job roles
- Career options
- Work placement / study abroad
Graduate employers
Graduates from this course are now working for:
Job roles
With this degree you could become:
Career options
Biomedical Sciences graduates take up a wide range of employment opportunities. For example, in operations and quality assurance/control roles within biomedical related industries such as diagnostics, medical devices and biopharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical research and development, biopharmaceutical and biotechnology scientific services, as well as more broadly in the area of analytical science, the scientific civil service, medical research, medical sales and marketing, veterinary and forensic medicine, teaching and university lecturing. Graduates can also pursue further studies in post graduate medicine, MSc programmes in biomedical science and biopharmaceutical science, including the university’s and institute’s own successful part-time, distance learning MSc Programmes, and postgraduate research within this university and institute, and elsewhere.
Work placement / study abroad
Students are in employment and will typically carry out an investigative project within their work place.
Modules
Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
In this section
- Year one
- Year two
- Year three
- Year four
Year one
Biology (BIOL06013)
Year: 1
Status: C
This module introduces core principles of cellular biology and major biological processes regulating cell and organ function sufficient to underpin further study in the biomedical sciences.
Information Systems (COMP06018)
Year: 1
Status: C
This module provides an introduction to computer applications and relevant up-to-date information technology software and skills necessary to underpin further study and practice in the biomedical sciences.
Applied Mathematics (MATH06078)
Year: 1
Status: C
This module introduces students to core mathematical and numeric skills, while emphasising their real world and scientific application, sufficient to underpin further study in the biomedical sciences.
Good Manufacturing Practice 1 (GMP06001)
Year: 1
Status: C
This module introduces core principles of good manufacturing practice sufficient to underpin further study in the biomedical sciences.
Fundamentals of Chemistry (CHEM06043)
Year: 1
Status: C
This module introduces students to fundamental aspects of chemistry sufficient to underpin further study in the biomedical sciences.
Science Laboratory Skills 1 (SCI06015)
Year: 1
Status: C
This module aims to provide students with the skills and techniques required to work in a regulated biomedical laboratory underpinning further study and practice in biomedical sciences.
Year two
Exploitation of Biology
Year: 2
Status: C
This module considers a wide number of aspects and issues in biotechnology, sufficient to underpin and reinforce other topics in life sciences. Topics include production, commercialisation and ethics of biotechnology products and the impact of biotechnology on modern society.
Physiology and Anatomy of the Human Body
Year: 2
Status: C
This module provides an introduction to the study of human physiology and anatomy to underpin further study of the pathophysiology in health and disease.
Biochemistry (BIOC06007)
Year: 2
Status: C
This module introduces core aspects of biochemistry in clinical and industrial contexts to underpin further study in the biomedical sciences.
Introduction to Biomedical Science
Year: 2
Status: C
This module introduces biomedical science as a profession, including the theory of core laboratory techniques and associated health and safety issues, and fundamental processes involved in the human immune system.
Biomedical Science Laboratory Skills 1 (SCI06016)
Year: 2
Status: C
This module aims to provide students with the skills and techniques required to work in a regulated biomedical laboratory, building on past knowledge/skills developed in earlier modules, and underpinning further study and practice in biomedical sciences.
Scientific Communication (BIO06031)
Year: 2
Status: C
This module aims to develop student skills in written and spoken communication of scientific information underpinning further study and professional development in biomedical sciences.
Year three
Molecular Biology and Genetics
Year: 3
Status: C
This module considers genetic defects that contribute to human disease with study of recombinant D techniques, human inheritance, chromosomal aberrancies and inborn errors of metabolism, carcinogenesis and ageing. Advances in molecular genetics and the human genome project are also discussed and provide an appreciation of the potential for improved diagnostics and therapeutics.
Enterprise in Biomedical Sciences
Year: 3
Status: C
This module provides opportunities for enterprise and employability skills to be assessed, nurtured and developed within the context of biomedical sciences. This module is taught by lectures (online), tutorials and supervised time on a group project. Individual creativity and communications skills are assessed. Within the context of carrying out a group project, individual contributions to reflection on team working and enterprise skills' development and minuting a group meeting are assessed, as well as the group output of a new life sciences venture outline plan.
Biomedical Science Laboratory Skills 2 (SCI07016)
Year: 3
Status: C
This module aims to provide students with the skills and techniques required to work in a regulated biomedical laboratory, building on past knowledge/skills developed in earlier modules, and underpinning further study and practice in biomedical sciences.
Pharmaceutical Quality Systems (BIO07030)
Year: 3
Status: C
This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the systems approach to quality, manufacturing, and regulation in the biopharmaceutical sector underpinning further study and practice in biomedical sciences.
Bioanalytics (BIO07014)
Year: 3
Status: C
This module provides students with a detailed knowledge and understanding of a range of analytical assays and instrumentation employed in the analysis of biopharmaceuticals.
Research Skills in Biomedical Sciences
Year: 3
Status: C
This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop research skills. The fully on-line module will be taught by lectures, tutorials, and computer based practicals. Students will be expected to select a research Project topic and then write a project brief and a literature review, and also use MS Excel and SPSS to analyse biomedical sciences data sets.
Professional Practice in Healthcare Science
Year: 3
Status: C
This module develops core principles of professional practice in Healthcare Science.
Year four
Molecular Pathology
Year: 4
Status: C
This module presents an in-depth consideration of the pathology, cellular and molecular biology of the major non-infectious diseases of humans. The module enables students to integrate practical and theoretical information gained in earlier modules. Current and emerging strategies in disease diagnosis, treatment and monitoring are also discussed, which underpin further study in Biomedical Sciences.
Clinical biochemistry
Year: 4
Status: C
This module is designed to provide an understanding in clinical biochemistry sufficient to underpin clinical practice or further study in the biomedical sciences.
Medical Microbiology
Year: 4
Status: C
This module provides an introduction to the biology of microorganisms that cause human infection. The module explores the diversity of pathogenic mechanisms in operation across a range of diseases and there is an important focus on recent advances in our understanding of host-microbe interactions. A major goal of the module is to provide examples of how this knowledge can be translated into practical ways to diagnose and control microbial pathogens. This is accomplished by an in-depth consideration of; the principles of disinfection and sterilisation, the theoretical background to current diagnostic techniques and an appreciation of how epidemiological monitoring can be used to control Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI).
Cell Culture Processing (BIO08045)
Year: 4
Status: C
This module provides an in-depth understanding of cell culture processing as it pertains to the biosynthesis of modern biopharmaceutical products sufficient to underpin further professional practice in this area.
Quality Systems and Regulatory Affairs (BIO08049)
Year: 4
Status: C
This module addresses advanced aspects of quality systems and regulatory affairs including legislation for biopharmaceutical processing sufficient for further study and professional practice in the biomedical sciences.
Protein Purification (BIO08044)
Year: 4
Status: C
This module provides the student with a broad but in-depth understanding of the main theoretical concepts and principles of protein purification sufficient for professional practice in the biomedical sciences.
Project: Biomedical Sciences
Year: 4
Status: C
This module comprises an investigation in the field of bioscience, carried out in consultation with, and supervised by, a member of academic staff and supported by an e-tutor. The Project provides experience in planning a work programme to suit a defined set of research objectives, data acquisition and analysis, and the interpretation of the results in the light of relevant literature. Students are assessed by coursework only. A research paper is submitted for assessment. Research findings are defended via a Poster Presentation.