BSc (Hons) Medical Physiology

Program Overview

On our medical physiology course, you will study the complex anatomy and detailed function of the human body in both health and disease. We place a strong emphasis on learning about the body's structure and functions, with a focus on physiology, anatomy, histology, biochemistry and pharmacology.

We'll give you practical skills in bioscience techniques and instrumentation used to investigate the human body in health and disease, such as lung function, exercise and fitness tests, medical imaging (chest X-rays) and electrocardiograms (ECG).

You'll develop skills in communication, presentation, statistics and IT. All students complete a first aid course and develop a business enterprise in biosciences. All students also develop research skills by completing a research project. During the course you will have the opportunity to do short placements either within UEL or abroad, and go on external visits to enhance your learning and employability.

Graduates from this course have gone onto careers as Physician Associate, Respiratory Physiologist, Cardiologist, Audiologists, sonography, teaching, graduate entry medicine and further study (masters and PhD).

Foundation year

If you don't meet the entry requirements for a BSc degree, you have the option of enrolling onto our foundation option. This will equip you with the basics to progress to the BSc degree.

Program Outline

In short, you'll study the anatomy and functions of the human body in sickness and in health.

Along with all your fellow students in your first year, you'll study physiology, professional practice, chemistry, biochemistry, human anatomy, microbiology, cell biology and genetics to equip you with an excellent all-round grounding.

In year two, you'll study more advanced areas of biochemistry, physiology, anatomy and be introduced to pharmacology, disease processes and immunology.

In your final year, you'll focus on diseases of the systems of the body, clinical physiology and cellular pathology and be able to specialise in optional subjects such as toxicology, exercise or neuropharmacology. You'll also complete a major research project and do a group business enterprise project.

We aim to make our course an enjoyable and compelling learning experience, throughout which you'll be guided by experts who are as enthusiastic about their subject as they are knowledgeable.

Experts such as Course Leader

Dr Mohammed Meah

Dr Geoff Webb

Dr Prashant Ruchaya

Dr Roger Carpenter

Rane Ranesinghe

To make our course extra stimulating, we organise external visits such as a day in the dissecting room at St George's Hospital, and we invite guest experts to speak to you. Our close association with the professional body, The Physiological Society, opens up opportunities to meet physiologists, present research and develop research skills.

Our close association with the professional body, The Physiological Society, opens up opportunities, too.

Some of our students have made waves by presenting their research at the Society's meetings, while others have received grants, enabling them to attend specialist courses in 'in vivo' 'in vitro' experimentation.

You will have the opportunity to develop a business enterprise in the biosciences which enhances your employability skills.

Your final-year research projects will be your showcase for future employers, demonstrating your ability to generate and interpret new data on subjects such as the cause and diagnosis of diseases.

In your extensive lab studies, you'll benefit from the superb specialised equipment at our Stratford campus, particularly relating to cardiovascular and respiratory research.

Each year you will spend up to 250 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module.

The approximate percentages for this course are:

Year 1: 180 Hours - Taught Sessions, 60 Hours - Practical/IT Workshops, 960 Hours - Independent Learning

Year 2: 195 Hours - Taught Sessions, 55 Hours - Practical/IT Workshops, 950 Hours - Independent Learning

Year 3: 178 Hours - Taught Sessions, 72 Hours - Practical/IT Workshops, 950 Hours - Independent Learning

We'll assess you with a mixture of coursework and exams. Coursework includes essays, research reports, group and seminar presentations and a final-year project. Most of the assessment in your first year is by coursework and we'll give you as much feedback as possible.

In your third year, you'll either take five core modules or undertake a work placement. We'll assess you accordingly.

You'll always receive detailed feedback outlining your strengths and how you can improve. We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 14 working days, although you will receive immediate feedback following many of our face-to-face assessments.