Program Overview

Medical Physiology and Therapeutics BSc

Overview

Biomedical sciences play a vital role in everyone's lives. They help us understand how our bodies work, what can go wrong with our bodies, and how we fix them. Our Medical Physiology and Therapeutics BSc degree, based in Derby, is a chance to learn about the body from its molecular level all the way through to the full complexity of the body as a whole.

Course Details

• Qualification: BSc Hons
• Entry Requirements: AAB
• Start Date: September 2025
• UCAS Code: B121
• Duration: 3 years full-time
• Fees: £9,535

Course Information

Year One

• Cell Structure and Function: Learn about molecular and cellular biology, cell structure and function, and the acquisition of transferable skills through early laboratory experience.
• Infection and Defence: Study medical microbiology and immunology to understand how the body defends itself against pathogens.
• Movement: Explore the musculoskeletal and nervous systems in the context of medical physiology and neuroscience.
• Study and Academic Skills: Develop transferable academic and study skills, numeracy skills, and statistics.
• Supply and Demand 1: Nutritional Supply and Demand: Introduce you to the fundamental biomedical disciplines of haematology and biochemistry.
• Supply and Demand 2: Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems: Provide a detailed understanding of the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems, associated pathologies, and investigative techniques.
• Supply and Demand 3: Renal and Endocrine Systems: Introduce the organisation, structural features, and functions of the endocrine system and renal system.

Year Two

• Contemporary Insights and Skills for Medical Physiology and Therapeutics: Enhance and consolidate study and academic skills, demonstrate how the interplay between science, society, and individuals impacts on health, and expand awareness of contemporary areas in medical physiology and therapeutics.
• Neuroscience: Develop your understanding of human neurobiology, including the anatomy, physiology, molecular, and cognitive aspects of nervous system function.
• Pharmacology and Therapeutics: Provide an overview of pharmacology (drug action) and therapeutics (the treatment of disease using drugs and other non-pharmacological methods).
• Reproduction: Examine the core concepts in human reproduction, including physiological and biomedical mechanisms that underpin both male and female reproductive function.
• Optional Modules:
  • Cancer Biology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Respiratory Diseases
  • Skeletal muscle in health and disease

Year Three

• Personal and Professional Development: Help you develop ‘employability’ skills and skills for lifelong learning, such as reflective practice.
• Research Design, Research Methods and Statistics: Learn specific methods for carrying out your own research in the medical and biomedical sciences.
• Research Project and Audit: Provide direct experience of contemporary research in the biomedical and clinical sciences.
• Optional Modules:
  • Ageing Systems Physiology
  • The Cellular Basis of Disease
  • Clinical Toxicology
  • Rehabilitation and Long Term Conditions

Teaching Methods

• Anatomy sessions
• Case-based learning
• Clinical skills sessions
• eLearning
• Lab sessions
• Lectures
• Practical classes
• Problem-based learning
• Prosection
• Self-study
• Small group learning
• Tutorials
• Workshops

Assessment Methods

• Case studies
• Coursework
• Dissertation
• Examinations
• Formative assessments
• Lab reports
• Literature review
• Portfolio (written/digital)
• Poster presentation
• Practical write-ups
• Presentation
• Short project
• Verbal exam
• Website production

Contact Time and Study Hours

• 8-17 hours contact time per week
• 20-30 hours self-study per week

Careers Overview

• Research in medical and clinical sciences
• Medicine (via five-year medicine undergraduate courses or four-year Graduate Entry Medicine courses)
• Other healthcare graduate entry programmes
• Masters or PhDs in subjects like Public Health, Sports and Exercise Medicine, Cancer, Neuroscience, Molecular Biotechnology, and Infectious Diseases
• Physiologists
• Clinical perfusionists
• Clinical trials co-ordinators
• Technicians and technologists

Job Prospects

• 96.50% of undergraduates from the school of Medicine secured graduate-level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation.
• Average annual starting salary: £35,089.

Campus

• Royal Derby Hospital, Derby, UK

Related Courses

• Medicine BMedSci and BMBS
• Medicine at Lincoln BMedSci BMBS
• Medicine with a Foundation Year BMBS
• Cancer Sciences BSc Hons
• Cancer Sciences MSci Hons
• Medicinal and Biological Chemistry BSc Hons
• Medicinal and Biological Chemistry MSci Hons
• Medicinal and Biological Chemistry with an Assessed Year in Industry MSci Hons
• Graduate Entry Medicine BMBS