BSc (Hons) Medical Biology

Program Overview

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Course Details

Medical biology is a huge and vital topic. Understanding how the human body works, and the need to continuously develop and improve ways to diagnose and treat disease, is integral to improving the length and quality of our lives. Throughout the University of Bolton's BSc (Hons) Medical Biology degree, our expert team will support you to build your understanding of its key principles, concepts and applications. As well as exploring the human biology aspects of medical biology, we'll consider key principles and advancements relating to the medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical job markets.

We focus on equipping you with hands-on laboratory and practical experience teamed with an invaluable grounding in theory. Our academics will lead you in an exploration of human biology from molecular to organ level. Our dedicated and supportive team will also introduce you to the principles of scientific investigation that relate to medical biology. You'll benefit from training in a wide variety of experimental techniques and equipment encompassing areas relevant to biomedicine, such as anatomy and physiology, molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, molecular genetics, microbiology, nutrition and microscopy. As you progress, you’ll build on these themes in a range of ways, taking a medical perspective on disease, diagnosis and treatment.

The course aims to help you develop skills that will be of value should you wish to apply for the GAMSAT, BMAT and UKCAT medical school entrance exams. It’s also designed to help you develop strong communication and problem-solving skills, quantitative and scientific reasoning, and gives you the chance to gain experience using a wide variety of relevant biomedical instrumentation.

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Highlights

Our Biological Sciences courses are ranked fourth in the UK and top in the North West of England for student satisfaction, according to The Complete University Guide 2022.

You’ll explore the causes of disease and the methods and technologies used to treat and diagnose disease.

This highly practical course focuses on developing your practical skills, and knowledge of research methods, by giving you experience of using equipment in our high-spec instrumentation laboratory.

We’ll also support you to gain skills in critical thinking, problem solving and communication that are highly valued in the biosciences and medical industries and beyond.

Many of the areas you’ll explore benefit from University staff research, so you’ll have direct access to in-house expertise and the latest ideas and learning as they present themselves.

At the honours level, you'll undertake a research project or professional practice placement. This is your opportunity to conduct a significant piece of original, independent research, using all of the analytical, critical, practical and ICT skills you've gained throughout your studies. Our excellent facilities ensure that on-campus laboratory-based projects are available to all students who choose them. Alternatively, you have the option of seeking a suitable professional practice placement, allowing you to gain work experience in a career-relevant environment and build your network of industry contacts. If you’re interested in a placement, we'll work with you to identify and approach suitable placement providers.

We'll encourage you to become a student affiliate member of the Royal Society of Biology so that you can benefit from access to their network of experienced biologists and annual careers day.

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Key Features

We’re based in the Queens Specialist Building, which offers modern teaching laboratories and classrooms, plus a high-spec instrumentation laboratory, microscopy facility, microbiology laboratory and tissue engineering suite, all dedicated to undergraduate teaching.

Our anatomy, physiology and clinical skills classes take place in Bolton One. This facility contains large, spacious clinics for learning anatomy and clinical skills, along with a very well-equipped physiology laboratory.

You’ll have opportunities to explore medical biochemistry, molecular genetics, medical microbiology, cancer biology, neurobiology, clinical examination skills and tissue engineering.

We prefer to keep lecture and practical classes relatively small so that you have plenty of opportunities to ask our friendly, supportive tutors for help, as well as benefit from the ideas and support offered by your classmates. Our small class sizes also allow you to learn sophisticated laboratory procedures that would not be possible in larger groups.

By inviting experts in specialist areas of biology to give guest lectures and provide an overview of their research and professional experience, we aim to enhance your learning and help you make contacts in the industry.

You'll also have the chance to attend our annual careers event and be inspired by the career journeys of successful experts in the medical biology field.

Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and the NHS have been consulted on the design of this course to ensure that our graduates gain the knowledge and skills these industries need.

We offer a warm and friendly environment, with relatively small class sizes, purpose-built teaching and laboratory facilities, and excellent student support and library services.

By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Manchester, one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, is less than 20 minutes away by train. Not forgetting, the North West of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline and heritage. This makes Bolton an ideal base from which to explore some of the best cultural and outdoor activities the UK offers.

Program Outline

Medical biology careers span the spectrum of medical sciences. Since the subject area is so broad in scope, the available career options are similarly vast. Whether your focus is on disease diagnosis and treatment or developing a new medicine, medical biology careers often involve working in laboratories. Understanding how to use laboratory equipment is crucial, so this is an important focus of our BSc (Hons) Medical Biology degree. As a graduate of our course, you can expect to possess knowledge of a wide range of laboratory techniques and experience using high-specification instrumentation, alongside a sound understanding of the theories and principles of relevant bioscience disciplines.

Though some careers can be more independent, working in a team with other professionals is common, so collaboration and team-working are encouraged throughout this degree. Analytical and problem-solving skills are also vital, along with strong literacy and numeracy, so we'll support you to gain these skills.

What can I do with this qualification?

As a graduate, you’ll have gained a highly transferable skill set that can be adapted to a huge range of careers and work environments in both the public and private sectors.

Medical biologists are employed in healthcare, biotechnology, medical research and pharmaceutical fields. Working in hospital laboratories, health clinics, government agencies, charities, education, and even sales are possible options. Other potential areas of employment include medical science, epidemiology and laboratory technology. Alternatively, you may choose to use your degree as a springboard to higher-level study in medicine or postgraduate qualifications.

If you’re attracted to a career in medicine, you may also be interested in becoming a physician associate (PA). Physician associates work under the direct supervision of a doctor and carry out many similar tasks, including patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. The University of Bolton’s MSc Physician Associate Studies course is open to BSc (Hons) Medical Biology graduates who achieve at least a lower second class (2.2) honours degree and takes only two years to complete.

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Alternative career options

Graduates can also use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers, bearing in mind that relevant experience and/or postgraduate study may be required. Some of these careers include:

Teaching and education

Medical administration

Health service management

Science writing

Health promotion

Medicine

Nursing

Research and development

Medical sales

Intellectual property

Financial analysis

Genetics

Health education

Public relations