| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-09-01 | - |
| 2024-02-01 | - |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
The BSc (Hons) Medical Science degree at Oxford Brookes University offers a comprehensive exploration of the human body in health and disease. Students gain a solid foundation in medical science subjects and develop laboratory and research skills essential for careers in the healthcare industry. The program features strong industry links, guest lectures from medical professionals, and an optional placement year, providing valuable practical experience and career preparation.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Our BSc (Hons) Medical Science degree takes you on a fascinating exploration of the human body. If you’re curious and have a strong interest in biology and physiology, this course is for you. You’ll study how the human body functions in health, including aspects such as integrated physiology, neuroscience and genetics, and also in disease (pathophysiology, human genetic disease). The strong physiology aspect aligns this degree closely with many areas of disease testing, and gives you experience of laboratory work that is core to most science careers, including those with a health focus. Through academic and practical learning, we’ll equip you with the skills employers look for, including lab techniques, data handling, computing, report writing, oral presentations, and teamwork. Our department has excellent links with industry. NHS medical scientists and clinical leads are regular guest lecturers. Students have also successfully found internships with local companies and organisations. We’re in the business of making people’s lives better. Learn with us and have a real-world impact.
- Excellent grounding: The degree provides a great foundation for applying to graduate-entry Medicine and Physicians’s Associate courses. It builds on core medical science subjects.
- Future roles: Many graduates are appointed to research posts in universities, research institutes, or biotechnology companies each year. We also regularly welcome guest lecturers from industry.
- Research experience: You’ll work with our academics in research groups. You’ll delve into pertinent subjects such as genetic damage induced by radiation and how the heart and lungs function.
- Free language courses: Free language courses are available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.
- Study abroad: You may be able to go on a European or international study exchange while you are at Brookes. Most exchanges take place in the second year. Although we will help as much as we can with your plans, ultimately you are responsible for organising and funding this study abroad.
Outline:
Course structure:
This degree builds on core medical science subjects. It will give you a sound understanding of the human body in health and disease. You’ll choose modules to suit your interests. Core first year modules will ground you in important basics. In your second year, you’ll take the compulsory module Integrated Physiology which builds on the first-year human structure and function module. You’ll study Biochemistry of Cell Function, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Research Methods, Haematology & Immunology. You’ll decide whether to register your interest in taking an optional year-long work placement. Alongside further advanced study, your final year will focus on your independent research project. You’ll gather, consider, and evaluate data, and report on your findings in your dissertation - a great way to display all your graduate-level skills and knowledge. Medical science is a practical subject. Throughout your degree, we’ll train you to use equipment that is commonplace within the industry.
Learning and teaching:
Teaching and learning methods include:
- lectures
- practicals
- tutorials
- seminars You will have the opportunity to attend seminars given by visiting speakers from around the world. As well as delivering this course in partnership with scientists working in local hospitals, we are able to invite colleagues and collaborators who are at the forefront of research to join us in exploring the scientific themes of medical science with you. This includes work on:
- disease biofilms
- clinically important immunohistochemistry tests
- deep brain stimulation for symptom relief. Our research in these areas underpins this course. Medical science is a practical subject and we have a very good range of equipment. This includes:
- high-performance liquid chromatography equipment
- confocal and electron microscopes
- specialised laboratories for tissue culture
- microbiology
- physiology
- microscopy.
Assessment:
The course includes a variety of teaching, learning and assessment methods. Assessment methods include:
- essays
- reviews
- examinations
- laboratory notebooks
- scientific reports
- posters
- oral presentations. Reflective learning is encouraged through the use of:
- self reflection following feedback
- peer or staff formative feedback
- group work
- project work
- reflective diaries.
Study modules:
- Year 1
- Compulsory modules
- Cell Biology and Genetics
- Human Structure and Function
- Introduction to Biochemistry A
- Introduction to Biochemistry B
- Scientific Skills
- Professional and Experimental Skills
- Year 2
- Compulsory modules
- Biochemistry of Cell Function
- Integrated Physiology
- Research Methods for Healthcare Sciences
- Molecular Biology
- Haematology and Immunology
- Genetics
- Year 3 (optional placement year)
- Optional modules
- Professional Placement
- Year 4 (or Year 3 if no placement)
- Compulsory modules
- Research Project
- Pathophysiology
- Optional modules
- Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology
- Genomic Medicine
- Neuroscience
- Advanced Genetics and Genomics
- Human Genetic Disease
- Molecular Biology of Cancer
- Evidence Based Medicine
- Advances in Bioscience Research
- Professional Skills and Techniques
Teaching:
Teaching and learning methods include:
- lectures
- practicals
- tutorials
- seminars You will have the opportunity to attend seminars given by visiting speakers from around the world. As well as delivering this course in partnership with scientists working in local hospitals, we are able to invite colleagues and collaborators who are at the forefront of research to join us in exploring the scientific themes of medical science with you. This includes work on:
- disease biofilms
- clinically important immunohistochemistry tests
- deep brain stimulation for symptom relief. Our research in these areas underpins this course. Medical science is a practical subject and we have a very good range of equipment. This includes:
- high-performance liquid chromatography equipment
- confocal and electron microscopes
- specialised laboratories for tissue culture
- microbiology
- physiology
- microscopy.
Careers:
You’ll be fully prepared for a career at the cutting edge of medical science. Alongside training you in theory and practice, we blend career development guidance and support into our modules, and these activities will help to prepare you for the world of professional work. Many of our graduates have gone on to work in bioscience companies, diagnostic labs, diagnostic clinics, or to study further either through an MSc or a research-focused PhD studentship. While you’re with us, we’ll arm you with the skills you need to be successful in the workplace. Oxford provides many excellent work opportunities. We have organisations like, Abbott Diabetes Care, Oxford Biomedica, Oxford Science Park, Milton Park and Abingdon Science Park right on our doorstep. Popular roles include:
- physician associate
- biochemist
- biotechnologist
- medical research scientist
- lab technician
- forensic scientist
- clinical research associate. The BSc degree is well designed to provide a foundation for graduate-entry medical school or further academic training in the life and medical sciences.
Other:
- The Department of Biological and Medical Sciences has excellent links with industry.
- NHS medical scientists and clinical leads are regular guest lecturers.
- Students have also successfully found internships with local companies and organisations.
