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2023/24 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue

MBiol, BSc Biomedical Sciences (Integrated Masters)

Programme code:MBBS-BM/SCIUCAS code:B109
Duration:4 Years Method of Attendance: Full Time
Programme manager:Dr Ruth Norman Contact address:R.Norman@leeds.ac.uk

Total credits: 480

Entry requirements:

A-level: AAA, including Biology or Chemistry, plus another science or science-related subject (Science subjects: biology, human biology, chemistry, mathematics, PE and physics OR Science-related subjects: geography, psychology, use of maths and statistics) . Critical Thinking and General Studies excluded. Applicants taking a Science A-level (in England) will be required to achieve a pass in the practical element in addition to the standard A-level grade requirement.
When an applicant is taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) or the Cambridge International Project Qualification (Cambridge IPQ) this can be considered alongside A-levels and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A-levels, this would be ABB at A-level and grade A in the EPQ (BSc applicants) or AAB and grade A in the EPQ (MBiol applicants).
GCSE: Grade 6 (B) or above at GCSE Maths and Grade 4 (C) or above at GCSE English.
- IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any component or equivalent English language qualification.

School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme:

Faculty of Biological Sciences Undergraduate School

Examination board through which the programme will be considered:

Faculty of Biological Sciences Undergraduate School

Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups:

In addition to meeting the core knowledge, understanding, experience and skills articulated in the QAA Biosciences Benchmark for graduating with an honours degree in the Biomedical Sciences, MBiol graduates should be able to meet the additional requirements for Level 7 namely:

Develop, integrate, synthesise and apply the systematic and broad understanding of relevant and state-of-the-art biological concepts to solve complex problems.

Interrogate and integrate diverse sources of scientific literature alongside other information sources, in order to design and develop methods for investigation and analysis, including in areas at the forefront of knowledge and outside their current specialist knowledge.

Plan a period of practice, including, as appropriate, evaluation of ethics, hazards, environmental effects, sustainability and appreciation of costs.

Apply research, experimental, technical competencies appropriate for the period of practice

Create a graduating level period of practice which develops a solution to a problem relevant to Biomedical Sciences

Communicate scientific and other information, and the potential impact of a period of practice.


Students who may elect not to complete the fourth year of the programme, or who are advised that their performance makes it unlikely that they would be successful in completing the programme will have met the QAA benchmarks for the BSc and so they will be able to graduate after 3 years with a BSc (Hons).

Programme specification:

The information on this page is accurate for students entering the programme in 2022/2023 or before. For students entering the programme from September 2023 or after, you can find the details of your programme: MBiol, BSc Biomedical Sciences (Integrated Masters) (For students entering from September 2023 onwards)

Biomedical sciences encompasses the studies of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, neuroscience, biochemistry, microbiology and more generally aspects of the biosciences. Knowledge of these disciplines is essential to provide solutions to the many health, wellbeing and other challenges facing humankind , for example prevention of disease, treatment of disease and healthy ageing. Taking an MBiol degree will enable you to develop the research, experimental and technical competencies to solve complex research problems relevant to the Biomedical Sciences and communicate the outcomes effectively. Studying an MBiol degree would be beneficial for anyone wishing to pursue a career in research due to the enhanced time working on a research project, either by continuing on to study a further degree such as a PhD, or interested in working within a research environment in industry.

Your Course

In the first year of your programme, you will be provided with a broad knowledge and understanding of the principal body systems, processes and functions in health and disease, and gain hands-on practical experience of the experimental approaches used to generate this knowledge. The course will initially cover:

Structure and function of physiological systems and how these can be disturbed by disease

Underpinning molecular and cellular processes, structure and function of the nervous system including during development and pathological dysfunction

Principles of pharmacology including examples of drugs than can be used to treat and modify pathophysiology of various common diseases and conditions

Introduction to the microbial world and its impacts, both positive and negative on humans and other organisms.

As you progress through your course, you will have the opportunity to discover and explore individual areas in more depth such as regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, drug discovery, cancer biology and dementia for example. You will be part of an investigative-based inspirational and engaging learning experience, informed by cutting edge research undertaken in these areas at Leeds, delivered by the world leading academics undertaking this research.

You will gain an integrated knowledge of the human body; how it works in health and disease using current biomedical science techniques and methodologies. You will be involved in active learning approaches including critical thinking, creative problem solving, team-working and mini-projects to progressively develop the key skills and attributes required by Biomedical Sciences graduates. You will be assessed using many tasks or activities undertaken in the workplace.

Towards the end of your programme, you will undertake culminating research project and specific research training, where you will bring together the knowledge, research skills and attributes developed throughout your degree and apply it to a problem, which could be research based, industry linked or clinical, creating a solution to this problem. The Integrated Masters (MBiol) offers you this as an additional year of specialist training, to study advanced research topics and undertake your own extended project within one of the major research laboratories in the school.

Our World

Our focus is to train the next generation of thinkers, innovators and leaders, equipped to make a positive difference in a complex and ever-changing interconnected world. You will develop global cultural awareness, by exploring some of the grand challenges or UN Sustainable Development Goal s facing humankind in partnership with students from different backgrounds, cultures or lived experiences within an inclusive learning environment. You will use your knowledge and skills to create solutions to local and global challenges, be able to explain the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion relevant to biomedical sciences, demonstrate ethical awareness and competencies and complete creative problem-solving activities.



Your Future

Our focus will be on making you workplace ready, equipped with the knowledge, skills and attributes required to succeed in whatever career you choose to go onto, able to contribute ethical solutions to the complex problems facing humankind. Throughout your studies, you will complete workplace tasks and activities undertaken in employment. Demonstrate the ability to collaborate in interdisciplinary team environments and contribute positively and flexibly to a team output. You will also be able to communicate scientific and other information to specific audiences and in relevant and varied formats. This will equip you with the necessary skills for employment or to go onto future studies relevant to your career of choice.


Year1 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Candidates will be required to study 120 credits

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

BMSC1100TStructure and Function (Anatomy and Physiology) of Human Body Systems (Teaching)  creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BMSC1200TBiology of the Mind (Teaching)  creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BMSC1216TIntroduction to Pharmacology (Teaching)  creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BMSC1302Team-Based Solutions for Local Challenges in Human Sciences20 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
BMSC1303Practical application of Clinical, Laboratory and Field Skills for Human Sciences20 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
BMSC1320AApplication of Knowledge (Assessment - BMS)30 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
BMSC1322AEvidence Based Reports (Assessment - BMS)30 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
FOBS1135TThe Basis of Life (Teaching)  creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Optional modules:

Basket 1: Candidates will be required to study 1-2 modules from the following list of optional modules:

BLGY1237Introduction to Genetics10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MICR1202The Microbial World10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MICR1220Introduction to Immunology10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Basket 2: Candidates can study 1 module from the following list of optional modules if they have taken only one module from basket 1

FOOD1050Elements of Human Nutrition10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Discovery modules:

Candidates will be required to study 0-10 credits of discovery modules


Year2 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Candidates will be required to study 120 credits

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

BMSC2225Physiology of Absorption and Excretion10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BMSC2310Intermediate Skills for Professional and Academic Development20 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 20 credits either from FOBS2121 OR FOBS2122.

FOBS2121Cardiorespiratory Physiology and Exercise Rehabilitation20 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
FOBS2122Cardiorespiratory Physiology and Pharmacology20 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Candidates will be required to study 20 credits from one of the experimental skills optional modules. This is a pass for progression module.

BMSC2341Experimental Skills in Pharmacology20 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
BMSC2342Experimental Skills in Neuroscience20 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
BMSC2343Experimental Skills in Human Physiology20 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
BMSC2344Experimental Skills in Medical Sciences20 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Candidates must take either BMSC2118 or BMSC2123. Candidates who take BMSC2123 may also take BMSC2125.

BMSC2118Neurobiology20 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BMSC2123Sensory and Motor Neuroscience10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BMSC2125Molecular Pharmacology10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Candidates will be required to take a minimum of 20 credits and a max of 40 credits from the list below:

BIOL2210Biological Membranes and Cell Signalling10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BIOL2211Human Diseases10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BIOL2212Chemotherapy10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY2201Introduction to Bioinformatics10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BMSC2237Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Essentials10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
FOBS2123Cardiorespiratory Physiology10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
FOBS2240Skills in Communicating Research beyond the University10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
FOOD2165Nutrition in the Prevention and Treatment of Disease10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MICR2220Medical Bacteriology10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MICR2221Medical Immunology10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MICR2222Medical Virology10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
SPSC2222Exercise at the Limits: Physiology in Challenging Environments10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Discovery modules:

Candidates may study up to 10 credits of discovery modules by agreement with the Programme Leader.


Year3 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Candidates will be required to study 120 credits

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

BMSC3398Practical Research Skills20 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BMSC3399Extended Research Project Preparation20 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
FOBS3393Advanced Skills20 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 60 credits from the following optional modules:

BIOL3215Cancer Biology20 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BMSC3101Inherited Disorders10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BMSC3138Cellular Cardiology10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BMSC3139Systems Neurophysiology10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BMSC3146Advanced Topics in Medical Sciences I20 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BMSC3148Drug Discovery and Development10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BMSC3228Animal Models in Discovery Biology & Drug Development20 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BMSC3236Advanced Topics in Medical Sciences II20 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
HPSC3315History of the Body20 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MEDM3221Reproductive Medical Science20 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Candidates may replace up to 20 credits of these with discovery modules, with the agreement of the programme leader, and subject to timetabling constraints.

Discovery modules:


Year4 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

BMSC5301MAdvanced Research Topics30 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BMSC5382MExtended Research Project90 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Optional modules:

Last updated: 21/07/2023 16:19:04

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