UEMEDCES - BSc Medical Bioscience Extended Degree

The Preparatory Year of the four year Medical Bioscience Extended Degree Programme is a level three course intended to introduce students to the fundamentals of science to enable them to study Medical Bioscience at level four. It makes no assumptions about prior scientific study. Students will gain a solid grounding in biology, chemistry, biochemistry and mathematics relevant to these subject areas. Practical sessions in the Science Centre help students gain proficiency at experimental work, and are delivered within PR3001 (Scientific Studies).

The material will be delivered by a range of mechanisms designed to allow the student to maximise the use of their preferred learning style (traditional lecture/tutorial sessions, guided independent learning, use of IT-based material such as VLOs, peer-assisted sessions).

Utilisation of the University’s VLE, Weblearn has become an invaluable tool with which to disseminate information and to support and assess student learning. Online progress tests will be used to provide students with formative and summative feedback on their progress. Exams in several modules are delivered as online exams.

Feedback will be delivered online and through provision of tutorial question-and-answer sessions and other formative exercises.

Students have access to the Learning Centre situated on the North campus. This has recently been comprehensively refurbished. It provides specific group study areas as well as access to a comprehensive and regularly reviewed range of textbooks, journals and online learning resources. In addition, there are newly fitted ‘all access’ areas on the ground floor of the Tower building and the green lounge in Benwell Road. These areas come with comfortable seating and IT facilities.

The aims of the Preparatory Year are to equip students with the necessary knowledge, understanding and skills in the areas of Biology and Chemistry to enable them to embark with well-founded confidence on to the second year of the Extended Degree course.
It will provide students with a broad, varied and stimulating experience which allows them to assess their own aptitudes and interests and develop the ability to apply principles learned in the classroom and laboratory in unfamiliar situations. It will help to develop in students the ability to communicate material of a technical nature both clearly and appropriately.

By the end of the course the student is expected to have developed:

1. an appreciation of the fundamental concepts in biology, chemistry, biochemistry and numeracy;
2. fundamental laboratory-based skills including awareness of relevant health and safety issues;
3. competence in accessing and evaluating information independently and making effective use of paper-based and electronic sources of scientific information and data;
4. the capacity to communicate a subject clearly and accurately orally, and/or in writing;
5. an ability to analyse information and make reasoned judgements;
6. an ability to employ a range of responses to well defined but often unpredictable or unfamiliar problems;
7. a sense of responsibility for quantity and quality of output.

Biosciences

Students are assessed through a variety of methods including problem solving exercises, in-class tests, practical datasheets, oral presentations, essays and examinations. Formative assessments include regular on-line tests.

The course includes the option to take either a 15 credit Work Placement module at level 6 or a 30 credit Sandwich Placement module between level 5 and level 6. Students are not allowed to register for both these modules.

To progress to level 4 of BSc Medical Bioscience, students are required to attain at least 40% in their four level 3 modules, and thus achieve 120 credits.

If attendance falls below 75% on a module, reassessment opportunities will not be available and instead the module will have to be retaken the following year with attendance and payment of fees. Mitigating circumstances cannot be claimed for missed classes; however Module Leaders will take account of absences that are a consequence of recorded disability or otherwise recorded as 'Authorised Absence' when applying the 75% threshold.

All modules are core. For intermediate awards; for a Preparatory Certificate, 60 credits must have been awarded, and for a Preparatory Diploma 120 credits must have been awarded and in either case the student is not continuing with study at the university.

As the programme progresses students will receive feedback from tutors and peers enabling them to reflect on their progress based on the evidence available. This process assists students in developing as independent learners, identifying their strengths and weaknesses. This will be of benefit throughout their future studies, and career. Students will also be able to track their performance on-line.

During their course students will learn more about professional aspects of medical bioscience, and about a range of careers which successful graduates can embark upon.

Upon graduation, you'll be eligible to apply for associate membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry (AMRSC).

A BSc degree in medical biosciences opens up a wide range of career avenues, and many graduates go on to enjoy successful careers in areas as diverse as medical research, bioanalytical medical genetics, forensic units and the pharmaceutical industry. The numerical, analytical and communication skills you gain during your degree are also highly regarded in other industries including marketing, administration and financial services.

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• at least one A level (or a minimum of 32 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC Subsidiary/National/BTEC Extended Diploma)
• English Language and Mathematics GCSEs at grade C (grade 4) or above (or equivalent)

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

Other applicants may have Level 3 qualifications such as A level, BTEC Extended Diploma or Access to Higher Education qualifications with high UCAS points and grades, but not in the relevant subject areas (biology and chemistry), which are required to study BSc programmes in the School of Human Sciences.

Applicants who meet the UCAS points criteria but who obtained a D (grade 3 from 2017) in English and/or maths at GCSE may be offered a University test in these areas.