The primary goal of Biomedical Science is to enhance understanding of human body function in health and disease.
Our BSc Biomedical Sciences programme offers a comprehensive journey through the fascinating world of human biology and disease processes. This four-year degree provides a carefully structured progression from foundational sciences to cutting-edge research. As you advance, you'll develop a deep understanding of biomedical principles, critical thinking skills, and research expertise. Each year builds upon the last, offering increasing specialisation and hands-on learning opportunities, preparing you for a thriving career in this dynamic field
In your first year, you'll build a strong foundation in the basic sciences, diving into chemistry, cell biology, and gaining an introduction to medical sciences. This groundwork prepares you for more advanced studies in subsequent years.
Moving into your second year, you'll deepen your knowledge of human physiology and molecular biology. You'll also develop essential research skills for medical sciences, equipping you with the tools to engage in scientific inquiry.
Your third year, known as Junior Honours, sees you engaging with advanced topics in biomedical sciences. You'll explore areas such as neuroscience and molecular cell function, with options to specialise in fields like anatomy or pharmacology. This year allows you to start tailoring your degree to your specific interests.
In your final year, Senior Honours, you'll have the opportunity to conduct independent research projects and study specialized topics that align with your career aspirations. Alternatively, you may choose to undertake an industrial placement, gaining valuable hands-on experience in a professional setting.
Throughout the programme, you'll have the flexibility to shape your degree through a range of optional courses and specialisation pathways, ensuring your education aligns with your personal and professional goals.
Enhance your degree with a year-long industry placement, graduating with an 5-year MSci degree in Biomedical Sciences after five years.
This course, which is prescribed for level 1 undergraduate students and articulating students who are in their first year at the University, is studied entirely online, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across the first 4 weeks of term.
Topics include University orientation overview, equality & diversity, MySkills, health, safety and cyber security, and academic integrity.Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
15 Credit Points
This course covers the foundations of chemistry that underpin the life sciences at a molecular level and is suitable for students with different backgrounds including little or no previous study of chemistry. The basic concepts of quantitative chemistry will be covered, along with the different types of organic molecules, acids and bases, and the principles of kinetics and thermodynamics. The relevance of the course materials to life science is emphasised throughout.
Laboratory classes introduce important practical techniques, with experiments that reinforce and complement the taught material.
The course will allow students to continue with other chemistry courses as part of their enhanced study by providing discipline breadth.
15 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
Chemistry plays a vital role in the life sciences, explaining the properties of biomolecules and how biological processes work at a molecular level. Organic reaction mechanisms give insight into how different types of molecules can be synthesised and methods of chemical analysis introduce other important topics linking the chemical and life sciences. The relationship between energy, entropy and equilibrium in driving reactions will be covered and the course concludes with a survey of the molecules of life – proteins, enzymes and sugars.
Laboratory classes complement lectures by consolidating learning and developing problem-solving and hands-on practical skills.
15 Credit Points
• Cells are the fundamental unit of life – without them life could not exist, and as such understanding how they function is crucial to our understanding of biology and medical science.• This course provides theoretical knowledge in a diverse range of topics covering the fascinating world of cells, from molecules like DNA, to how different cell types function within our bodies.• All practical classes are research based and will provide theoretical knowledge and skills training in many areas of molecular and cell biology.• Employability skills will also be explored through a highly interactive enterprise session and our online mini course.
Students wishing to follow the BSc Biomedical Sciences (Anatomy) route must also take BM2009 Human Anatomy A and BM2509 Human Anatomy B
15 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
The Physiology of Human Organ Systems course aims to develop and integrated understanding of human organ structure and function through:
• innovative teaching approaches covering the digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and reproductive systems
• participation in practical classes where students act as subjects and investigators. These will reinforce lecture material, develop scientific acumen and build team working skills
• focussed and interactive problem solving sessions applying knowledge to clinical scenarios, and developing fundamental skills critically required in the final years of the degree;
• informal teaching sessions where one-to-one staff-student interactions encourage discussion in a non-threatening environment
15 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
Only students following the Biomedical Sciences (Anatomy) must take:
Students undertaking BSc Biomedical Sciences who are not following Anatomy will not study these as mandatory courses.
Please note course BT3006 Working Out? Placement & Career Skills is an optional course but must be taken if you wish to undertake a placement.
30 Credit Points
5 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
30 Credit Points
This Biochemistry course focuses on the role of proteins in cells, tissues and organisms. It covers topics such as the role of proteins in catalysis of enzymatic reactions, in cell signalling, cell-cell interaction and cell shape and movement, and touches on the critical roles of selected proteins in human health. Teaching is delivered by a combination of lectures, workshops and practicals.
15 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
Select two optional courses.
15 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
30 Credit Points
30 Credit Points
30 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
The course is designed to give the students a basic understanding of the mechanisms of disease.
30 Credit Points
This Biochemistry course focuses on the role of proteins in cells, tissues and organisms. It covers topics such as the role of proteins in catalysis of enzymatic reactions, in cell signalling, cell-cell interaction and cell shape and movement, and touches on the critical roles of selected proteins in human health. Teaching is delivered by a combination of lectures, workshops and practicals.
30 Credit Points
30 Credit Points
Only students following the Biomedical Sciences (Anatomy) must take:
60 Credit Points
Data Analysis examination paper exclusively for students taking Medical Science degree programmes.
General Essay examination paper exclusively for students taking Medical Science degree programmes.
15 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
Ever wondered where your brain comes from?
This course merges cutting edge developmental biology, neuroscience, and cellular physiology to describe how the nervous system arises and gets "wired up".
The bewildering arrays of cells in the nervous system interconnect in highly specific ways. Here you will learn what dictates neuronal cell fate, how neurons find appropriate partners and how cells communicate to generate behaviour.
In addition to lectures from dynamic researchers and anatomical dissection sessions, this course will hone core skills for basic scientists and medics through group presentation work, independent library research and scientific writing.
Students who wish to process to a 5-year MSci Biomedical Sciences must undertake BT5007 Industrial Placement in Year 4.
15 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
The course aims to develop an understanding of pharmacological targeting and molecular toxicology at an advanced level. The learning outcomes are:
15 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
30 Credit Points
This course covers four main areas of advanced research-led molecular biology:
• Genome Organisation and Analysis• Proteins: Structure, Function and Engineering• Control of Gene Expression• Advanced Molecular Techniques
The course also teaches you about the scientific methods and discoveries that lie behind the above topics and covers detailed examples from the current scientific literature.
120 Credit Points
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:
The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses.
Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
SQA:
Applicants who achieve AAAB or better over S4 and S5 are likely to be made an offer of admission. This may be unconditional or it may be conditional, dependent upon academic profile. Good performance in additional Highers/Advanced Highers may be required.
Highers at AB from Chemistry and another Maths/Science subject required (Biology preferred)
A Level:
A minimum of 3 A Levels at ABB.
A levels at AB from Chemistry and another Maths/Science subject required (Biology preferred)
International Baccalaureate:
A minimum of 34 points. 6 points at HL from Chemistry and another Maths/Science subject required (Biology preferred)
Irish Leaving Certificate:
Five subjects at Higher, with 4 at H2 and 1 at H3. H2 from Chemistry and another Maths/Science subject required (Biology preferred)
SQA:
Applicants who achieve AAAB or better over S4 and S5 are likely to be made an offer of admission. This may be unconditional or it may be conditional, dependent upon academic profile. Good performance in additional Highers/Advanced Highers may be required.
Highers at AB from Chemistry and another Maths/Science subject required (Biology preferred)
Minimum: ABBB
Applicants who have achieved BBB at Higher, and who meet one of the widening participation criteria above are encouraged to apply and are guaranteed an adjusted conditional offer for BSc Biomedical Science.
We would expect to issue a conditional offer asking for one additional A grade at Higher. In exceptional circumstances we may need to ask for two additional Highers at AA.
Adjusted: BBB
Applicants who have achieved BB at Higher, and who meet one of the widening participation criteria above are encouraged to apply and are guaranteed an adjusted conditional offer for MA, BSc and BEng degrees.
We would expect to issue a conditional offer asking for one additional C grade at Higher.
A Level:
A minimum of 3 A Levels at ABB.
A levels at AB from Chemistry and another Maths/Science subject required (Biology preferred)
International Baccalaureate:
A minimum of 34 points. 6 points at HL from Chemistry and another Maths/Science subject required (Biology preferred)
Irish Leaving Certificate:
Five subjects at Higher, with 4 at H2 and 1 at H3. H2 from Chemistry and another Maths/Science subject required (Biology preferred)
The information displayed in this section shows a shortened summary of our entry requirements. For more information, or for full entry requirements for Sciences degrees, see our detailed entry requirements section.
To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Please refer to our Tuition Fees page for fee information for this programme, or contact study@abdn.ac.uk.
Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding. These are designed to provide assistance to help students support themselves during their time at Aberdeen.
View all funding options in our Funding Database.
he Biomedical Sciences degree primarily prepares you to follow a broad range of careers in science relating to medicine. In this respect, the quality of your training will permit you to take advantage of international career opportunities in research and development. The degree can also form the basis for an application to enter Medicine or Dentistry.
Our degree programmes are built to enhance your employability and three flagship options give our degrees a distinctively different flavour from many others. All our degrees offer:
The BSc Biomedical Sciences degree is not accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (IBMS) and thus our graduates do not achieve their HPC registration at graduation, but instead, if they choose this career path, will gain it following an additional conversion course within hospital laboratories.
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Focused on developing future effective therapies, the Institute of Medical Sciences houses nearly 400 researchers and support staff working on cutting-edge biomedical subjects aimed at understanding the human body's response to infection and disease.
Our state-of-the-art Science Teaching Hub provides students with a digitally focussed environment including advanced analytical tools, research-grade equipment and flexible laboratory spaces.
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