Biomedical Sciences BSc (Hons) with professional placement

Program Overview

The University of Bath's four-year Natural Sciences degree program in Biological Sciences provides a strong foundation in biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and human physiology. Students will develop research and practical skills through laboratory classes and a professional placement, preparing them for careers in science or further study. The program offers optional units in the second and fourth years, allowing students to specialize in areas of interest.

Program Outline

Outline:

This course lasts 4 years. It starts in September 2024 and ends in 2028. Welcome week starts on 23 September 2024. Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. Units Compulsory units cover core concepts that you'll need to understand as part of your degree programme. These allow you to specialise in particular areas of knowledge that interest you. As an undergraduate, you will be expected to take 120 credits (60 ECTS credits) in each academic year. For Natural Sciences, these will usually be made up of 20 credits in each main subject with the rest made up from a Natural Sciences unit and one additional subject. 120 credits (60 ECTS credits) are the equivalent of 1,200 notional hours of study; this includes contact time with staff and your own independent learning. All credits displayed on this page are ECTS credits. Year 1 Compulsory units Biochemistry 10 credits Cell biology 10 credits Core skills for bioscience 10 credits Genetics 10 credits Human physiology 10 credits Practical research skills in biochemistry and biomedical sciences 10 credits Year 2 Compulsory units Advanced skills for bioscience 10 credits Pathology 5 credits Options Year 2 Options 45 credits Year 3 Compulsory units Professional placement 60 credits Year 4 Options Final Year Options 60 credits

Assessment:

Around 30 to 55% of your degree result will be assessed through examination and around 45 to 70% will be assessed through coursework, depending upon which optional units you take in Years 2 and 4. The balance of assessment methods will vary throughout your degree and depending upon which options you undertake. In your final year, you will be expected to complete a project. You will primarily be assessed as an individual but may also be assessed as part of a group.

Teaching:

Contact hours Timetabled contact hours, which may be made up of lectures, seminars, tutorials and laboratory classes, vary throughout your course and between courses but are typically between 10 and 18 hours a week in your first year. The significant majority of contact hours over the duration of your course will be in person, and this will be enhanced by some online delivery which will constitute a smaller proportion of these contact hours, depending on your programme of study, year of study and chosen optional units. This may be supplemented by additional activities such as a small number of online learning sessions (not live), skills development sessions, and personal tutorials. The amount of timetabled sessions on campus in later years may vary based on the options you choose, with a greater emphasis on independent learning. Project and dissertation units will generally have fewer scheduled sessions to allow you time for your independent work – this may also mean the number of hours of timetabled sessions each week will vary within a year. Independent learning In addition to timetabled contact hours, you are expected to undertake independent learning and assessment activities. Typically, this might be around 17 – 30 hours per week in your first year, and include individual research, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, preparing course working assignments, presentations, or revising for exams. After your first year, the emphasis on independent learning becomes greater, for example in a final year project.

Careers:

You'll graduate with the knowledge and skills to be part of the next generation of scientists, helping make you highly sought after by employers. You'll also be well equipped to apply the skills you've gained in a range of other careers such as business, management or marketing or even go on to further study, such as a master’s or PhD. Biological sciences at Bath is ranked 9th for graduate prospects in the Complete University Guide 2023. Examples of recent employers include: Pfizer Cancer Research UK Natural England

• Home students: £9,250
• Overseas students: £28,800