Useful Fact about this Degree
Biomedical scientists in Aberdeen have made major medical advances, including the discovery of Insulin (Nobel Prize) and the discovery of Endorphins with improved quality of life for people globally
The primary goal of Biomedical Science is to enhance understanding of human body function in health and disease.
We are ranked 1st in the UK for Anatomy and Physiology in The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023.
In the first two years of your degree, you will gain a broad knowledge of subjects related to medical science and in scientific research methods. In addition, you will enhance your critical analysis abilities while developing your interpersonal skills through team-working and oral/written communications.
Advanced knowledge of molecular biology will be acquired in the third and fourth years of the programme. Molecular biology has revolutionised the progress of biology over the last half century, culminating in the determination of the complete human genome sequence, and is central to current investigations to understand the genetic basis of human disease and pathology, as well as to the development of improved crops.
5 year MSci degree
This degree offers you the opportunity to undertake a year's placement in an industrial, commercial or research environment and graduate after five years with an MSci (an undergraduate Masters degree) instead of a BSc. Find out more.
A degree in Biomedical Science (Molecular Biology) is taught via a selection of compulsory and optional courses to enhance your learning and prepare you for a future career or further study. In each year, you will take courses adding up to 120 credits. Depending on the number of compulsory and optional courses offered by your degree, you can also choose other eligible courses which fit your timetable.
Year 1 will prepare you for more detailed studies of human physiology molecular biology that will be made in the second year of study.
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, takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks.
Topics include orientation overview, equality and diversity, health, safety and cyber security and how to make the most of your time at university in relation to careers and employability.
Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced 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.
Select a further 60 credit points from courses of choice.
Year 2 courses will build on your understanding of medical science and explore molecular biology in more detail.
15 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
• this course will teach you what we know about the anatomy of different parts of human body and how it relates to development, various injuries and disorders; • you will get a chance to work with prosected human cadaveric specimens and medical images such as MRI scans;
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
15 Credit Points
In year 3, you will move on to focus on your chosen specialism of molecular biology, and your courses will reflect this.
30 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.
30 Credit Points
Choose one of the following:
With either:
Plus select further courses to a total of 120 credit points.
30 Credit Points
30 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
15 Credit Points
The course is designed to give the students a basic understanding of the mechanisms of disease.
15 Credit Points
The Honours year aims to explore in depth, specific aspects of molecular biology. An important feature is the ten-week research project, carried out in research laboratories at the University or in local research institutes.
Honours candidates are required to take both a two hour general examination (SM 4901) and a three hour problem solving examination (SM 4902) at the end of the Final Honours Year.
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.
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.
We will endeavour to make all course options available; however, these may be subject to timetabling and other constraints. Please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
You will be taught using a variety of methods and styles and we continually seek to make the teaching engaging, exciting and responsive to the latest research in your subject area. The research we carry out in the School directly informs and guides our teaching, particularly in the final Honours year. Our commitment to teaching is recognised by the range of University of Aberdeen Student-led Teaching Awards given to staff from our School.
As a student, your learning is supported by MyAberdeen, our virtual learning environment from which you can access the lecture Powerpoint slides, online practice tests, links to related reading, and tutorial support material.
We make innovative use of 'educational voting' handsets in class- remote control 'clickers' that allow each and every student to electronically respond in class by anonymous vote to questions posed by the lecturer.
Your academic development is supported from year 1 through to year 4 by an assigned personal tutor, who acts as adviser and mentor throughout your University career.
Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:
The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, year 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 Highers - a minimum of 4 Highers at AAAB* obtained in a single sitting or minimum of 5H at AAAAB obtained over two sittings
A Levels - ABB*
IB - 34 points, 6 at HL*, SL or HL in English and Mathematics
ILC - a minimum of 5H with 4 at H2 and 1 at H3 from Chemistry and another Science or Mathematics subject, or AAABB including AB from Chemistry and another Science or Mathematics subjects. The grading within band B must be B2 or above; O in English, Mathematics and in either Chemistry or Physics.
*Including Chemistry and one other Science/Mathematics subject.
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)
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.
The University of Aberdeen International Study Centre offers preparation programmes for international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for undergraduate study. Discover your foundation pathway here.
You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.
Fee category | Cost |
---|---|
RUK | £9,250 |
Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year | |
EU / International students | £24,800 |
Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year | |
Home Students | £1,820 |
Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year |
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.
Further Information about tuition fees and the cost of living in Aberdeen
View all funding options in our Funding Database.
The 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. Staff changes will occur from time to time; please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
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.
A dedicated Medical Library on the Foresterhill Health Campus and the fantastic facilities in the Sir Duncan Rice Library at King’s College, are complemented by online access to the key medical and health sciences journals and textbooks.
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.
Find out moreDiscover Uni draws together comparable information in areas students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study. You can compare these and other data for different degree programmes in which you are interested.