Biomedical Science | HE | University of Greenwich Foundation Degree

About the course

This programme has been designed to provide students with the skills required for working in relevant laboratories within the field biomedical sciences. The programme is closely linked with the corresponding degree pathway of the University of Greenwich, and successful students will transfer to the BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science programme at the University in their final year. It can be studied on either a full or part-time basis.

How to apply

Part Time Programme (3 years):

• You must apply directly to the University of Greenwich for this course.
• Programme Code: P12309

Full time programme (2 years):

• UCAS Code B900
• The university code for University of Greenwich is G70

Entry requirements

• You will require a minimum of 72 UCAS points
• Level 3 science qualification
• 5 GCSEs - grades A*-C / 9-4 including English and maths

If you do not have the above UCAS/GCSE requirements but you are a mature student, have appropriate experience, specific knowledge or industry-based qualifications, your application will be welcomed and still considered on case to case basis.

Additional entry requirements

• Applications from students with specific vocational, professional and other qualifications (for example NVQs or suitable Access courses) are judges on merit according to the relevance of such courses serving as preparation for the programmes.
• Selection is by interview and interview and internal tests if necessary

Cost and Loan

You can apply for a student loan for this course.

Although we aim to minimise any additional costs to students over and above the course tuition fee, there will be some additional costs which students are expected to meet these include:

- Text books

- Travel to other sites - Where required

- Library Fees and Fines - If you fail to return loaned items within the required time you will be responsible for the cost of any fees or fines applicable

- Printing and photocopying - You will need to cover the cost of any printing or photocopying undertaken to support your learning

- Laboratory Equipment - You will need to cover the cost of a the lab coat and spectacles - they are available to buy new from the College at £15. You will also have to pay a £5 deposit for a locker.

- Graduation ceremonies - It is free for you to attend the ceremony itself. Guest tickets and robe hire / photography are additional costs payable by you.

Contact Hours

• Your overall workload typically consists of 14 contact hours. You will undertake 15 hours independent learning and assessment activity. In addition, there will be field trips.
• For each 20-credit module, your study time is about 10 hours a week.

Independent Learning/ Overall Workload

When not attending lectures, seminars, workshops or other timetabled sessions you will continue learning through self-study. Typically, this involves reading journal articles and books, undertaking research in the library, working on projects, and preparing for coursework assignments/examinations, workshops and seminars.

At level 5 you will undertake a research project within work-based learning, research and professional skills. You will work under the supervision of a member of the programme team, but you will be expected to independently research the topic and generate a methodology which you will implement within the laboratory.

Your overall workload typically consists of 15 contact hours. You will be expected to undertake at least 15 hours independent learning and assessment activity.

For each 15 or 30 credit modules, your study time is about 10 hours a week.

Learning and Teaching

The programme is composed of courses which are delivered using lectures, tutorial and practicals. It is composed of a total of 240 credits, 120 credits at level 4 and 120 credits at level 5. You will typically have 15 contact hours per week.

What you will study

This foundation degree will provide a balanced understanding of how the body functions in the normal and diseased states and how disorders are diagnosed and corrected. This programme will give a solid grounding in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, immunology, genetics, microbiology, biology of disease, practical and project work, health and safety and workplace practices. This is placed in an applied, vocational context so you will gain theoretical and experimental knowledge and understanding, but will see how this relates to the workplace. You will develop problem solving, analytical and investigative transferable skills that enable you to meet employer requirements in a wide range of working environments.

Module Information Full Time

Level 4:

Fundamental Biology and Physiology (30 credits)

This unit provides a background to the structure, growth, division, evolution and death of viruses, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and to introduce the genetics of eukaryotes and gives the theoretical basis of methods for studying cells and their components. Fundamental biology and physiology provides an essential grounding in the organisation and regulation of physiological processes.

Fundamentals of Biochemistry (30 credits)

This unit introduces students to the structure and properties of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids and to the relationship between structure and biological function, and introduces the fundamental science of enzymes as biological catalysts and the role of cofactors. Fundamentals of biochemistry describes the central dogma of molecular biology: gene replication, transcription and translation and introduces the concept of ethics in scientific research.

Basic Chemistry for Life Sciences (15 credits)

This unit provides students with the basic chemical concepts essential for the life sciences and introduces students to the principles of chemical bonding and intermolecular interactions. Basic chemistry for life provides students with a basic knowledge of organic chemistry, chemical reactions and equilibria, visible spectroscopy and chromatography.

Work-based Learning 1 (30 credits)

This unit provides a learning framework which will enable students to appreciate the principles and practices which ensure safety in the laboratory environment and introduces students to current health and safety legislation and explore its implications for laboratory management. Work based learning 1 provides a learning framework within which students can develop knowledge and skills related directly to the specialist protocols of the working environments and enables students to develop their practical, inter-personal and presentational skills.

Introduction to Medical Science (15 credits)

Introduction to medical science provides a background in the specialised terminology of biomedical science and introduces the basic disciplines of biomedical science.

Level 5:

Cell biology and immunology (15 credits)

This unit will introduce the concepts in immunology, examine the innate adaptive defence mechanisms of the immune response against infectious agents and will explore the mechanisms of activation and regulation and the consequences of adverse immune responses

Cell biology and immunology develops a greater understanding of the regulation of the cell cycle and cell death, and explore the differentiation and arrangement of cells in the context organ formation during development and will give the students a deeper understanding of the function of specific organelles in specialised cell functions.

Bioanalytical techniques (15 credits)

Bioanalytical techniques provide students with the relevant tools to plan, and carry out investigations in an appropriate manner and student will gain an understanding of principles behind a range of analytical techniques, and to be able to apply them in the relevant specialised field of investigation and the consequent data interpretation.

Metabolism and disease (15 credits)

Metabolism and disease provides an introduction to basic concepts in metabolism and the principles of metabolic pathways and provides students with information on core metabolic pathways. This unit discusses relationships with metabolism and core disease pathways.

Microbiology and genetics (15 credits)

Microbiology and genetics provides a deeper understanding of the fundamental principles of transmission genetics and molecular genetics, with particular emphasis on eukaryotic systems and

provides students with the ability to analyse and interpret a wide variety of genetic data, such as the outcome of crosses and data from molecular genetic techniques. This unit will examine the growth requirements of micro-organisms, the regulation of biochemical pathways and their ecology, and industrial applications and will look at concepts of microbial pathogenicity and interaction with the human immune system in health and disease.

Physiological systems and regulation (15 credits)

This unit develops students' understanding of the roles and limitations of homeostatic control and regulation, and examines the factors which contribute to the integrated control of representative examples of different physiological systems

Cellular and molecular pathology (15 credits)

This unit reviews the histo/cytological classification of tissues and apply this to diagnosis of disease by the examination of cells and tissues and will examine the mechanisms, practices and pitfalls of cellular pathology techniques. Cellular and molecular pathology will develop an understanding of the role of cellular pathology in clinical diagnosis and

illustrates the interaction of pathological agents, both acquired and congenital with cellular and sub-cellular structures. The unit describes the mechanisms of disease produced as a result of such interactions and relates the clinical presentation of disease to its cellular and molecular basis.

Work-based learning, research and professional skills (30 credits)

This course aims to provide students with the opportunity to integrate their work-based experience with their academic programme of study. Students will be encouraged to reflect upon their personal and professional development and to make connections between their academic study and their work experience. It will also provide students with the opportunity to analyse the modes of operation within the work place and to gain a fuller understanding of the nature of the work.

Assessment

Assessment methods are varied and include practical work, assignments, essays, presentations, short tests and examinations.