Course summary
Our degree courses with foundation year offer the opportunity to prepare you for advanced study before you progress onto a full honours degree at the University of Westminster. Whether you do not feel ready for degree-level study, don’t have the right qualifications, want to change your subject specialism or return to study after an absence from education, we aim to encourage a broad range of students to undertake our foundation year in order to progress onto their full honours degree with us.
The foundation year is designed to give you the opportunity to explore new ideas, opening up new perspectives on the key debates within your chosen field. During the foundation year, you'll explore a range of creative disciplines and get a chance to develop in your chosen field, benefiting from workshops in our high-end facilities and working with leading academics who will encourage you to become a confident and creative thinker. Core modules accelerate your academic and professional development and you will also take modules within your chosen field, giving you the chance to develop a cross-disciplinary perspective on your course.
On successful completion of the foundation year, you'll be able to move on to study for the Biomedical Science BSc Honours over a further three years study.
Biomedical science is concerned with the detailed study of the human body, both in health and disease, with emphasis on the diagnosis and understanding of disease states and the mechanisms involved.
In Year 1 you'll study the important fundamental sciences, including biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, and human anatomy and physiology.
In Year 2 you'll develop your understanding of a wide range of disease processes, combined with the principles of laboratory procedures used to aid diagnosis and treatment.
Between Years 2 and 3, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a professional placement year in industry. Alternatively, you can undertake a period of study abroad at one of Westminster’s partner institutions.
In Year 3 you'll focus on the study of the complex nature of disease as it affects particular biological systems. You'll also study the laboratory procedures used in haematology, clinical immunology, cellular and molecular pathology, clinical biochemistry and medical microbiology, to diagnose and monitor disease. You'll also undertake a major research project, which will enable you to develop the skills you need for genuine scientific inquiry.
Course structure
Teaching includes tutorials, lectures and seminars, practical laboratory work and group activities, together with supervised use of facilities. Assessment is through a combination of exams and coursework (including essays, practical work, group work, presentations and reports).
You’ll receive continuous feedback through online activities, group and one-to-one tutorials and periodic reviews, designed to give you multiple points of guidance throughout your studies.
The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.
Foundation | Subjects of study include: - Biology
- Bioscience in Action
- Chemistry
- Critical Thinking for Academic and Professional Development
- Introduction to Academic Practice
- Introduction to Physiology
Credit Level 3 |
Year 1 | Subjects of study include: Core Study Areas - Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Functional Anatomy
- Human Physiology
- Professional Development in Science (PRoDS)
Optional Study Areas - Applications of Biological Sciences
- Biological Chemistry
- Fundamentals of Pharmacology
- Principles of Human Nutrition
Credit Level 4 |
Year 2 | Subjects of study include: Core Study Areas - Applied Pathobiology
- Infection and Immunity
- Medical Genetics and Genomics
- Metabolic Biochemistry
- Research Methods
Optional Study Areas - Bioinformatics
- Diet in Health and Disease
- Genetics in Medicine
- Human Parasitology
- Medical Physiology
- Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics
- Neuroscience
Credit Level 5 |
Placement year | Professional experience or study abroad yearBetween Years 2 and 3, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a professional placement year in industry. Completing the placement year will lead to the final award Bachelor of Science with Honours – Biomedical Sciences with Professional Experience. Alternatively, you can undertake a period of study abroad at one of Westminster’s partner institutions. Successful completion will lead to the final award Bachelor of Science with Honours – Biomedical Sciences with International Experience. |
Year 3 | Subjects of study include: - Cellular and Molecular Pathology
- Clinical Immunology and Immunohaematology
- Diagnostic Biochemistry and Haematology
- Final Year Project in Life Sciences
- Medical Microbiology in the Genomics Era
Credit Level 6 |
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