Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biomedical Science with Foundation Year University of East London - Stratford Campus, UK

Whether it's investigating a type of cancer or understanding the cause of food poisoning, biomedical scientists play a crucial role in diagnosing disease and evaluating effective treatment.

Doctors make decisions based on the results of tests carried out by biomedical scientists in the pathology laboratory, while patients benefit from their experience and expertise. Without their skills, key hospital departments such as Accident and Emergency couldn't operate effectively.

Our course offers an in-depth understanding of the causes of disease and the practical ways in which they can be investigated in the laboratory. These are the fundamental areas of knowledge that you'll need as a biomedical scientist.

Course Leader Dr Claudio Scotti believes the popularity of the course is because it's "broad-based". It's ideal for students who want to make a career in bioscience but have not yet decided in exactly what area to specialise.

The course, which offers extensive laboratory training, shares a common first year with other bioscience degrees, so you'll have the option to switch to a similar degree course at the end of your first year if you wish.

The course is also available with a year-long work placement between years two and three. If you choose this option, you'll have the chance to spend your third year working in a laboratory, adding valuable practical experience to your growing academic knowledge.

If you don't meet the entry requirements for a BSc degree, you have the option of taking an extended, four-year version of this course. You'll take a bioscience foundation year which will prepare you for the BSc degree.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

This course is based on the study of the biology of disease. Your first year is common to all bioscience students at UEL and covers four areas: essential chemistry, cell biology, biochemistry and human anatomy and physiology.

In your second year, your five core subjects will be supplemented by optional work placements. You can choose a short placement or a full year away from the University. Taking a longer option will undoubtedly help your career prospects once you graduate.

In your final year, you'll gain an understanding of what causes disease as well as studying clinical infection and immunity. You'll do a core module in cellular pathology and blood science that will show you how to identify normal and pathological tissues using a microscope.

You'll also undertake your own original research project in your final year, for which you'll be generating and assessing data. You can do this through library work or in a laboratory. The choice is yours.