MSc Biomedical Science

You will study a range of clinical cases via a combination of tutor-led group discussion and independent research based on defined learning objectives. The cases have been designed to facilitate an examination of the pathophysiology of disease, and of the key principles and rationales of diagnostic investigations and treatment. A strong emphasis is placed on the integration of laboratory test findings within and between the major pathology disciplines for the differential diagnosis and therapeutic management of disease.

In this module, you will develop the research, professional, and leadership skills needed to plan, carry out, and manage advanced biomedical research. Through lectures, tutorials, workshops and laboratory classes, you will explore both the practical and legal aspects of research, including project design, the scientific method, research governance, ethics, and regulatory requirements. You will gain hands-on experience in finding and evaluating scientific literature, analysing data, using statistical software, presenting results, and writing scientific reports. The module also helps you build project, financial, and people-management skills, which are essential for working in research or clinical laboratory settings and your continued professional growth. You will learn how to critically assess research publications, communicate scientific findings effectively, and explore the commercial and real-world impact of research, including funding, entrepreneurship, and technology transfer. Drawing directly from work experience and/or professional setting, you will reflect on your real-world experiences to deepen your understanding of what it means to grow and succeed in your chosen field. By applying enquiry-driven approaches to real research problems, you will build a strong portfolio of practical and analytical skills that prepares you for independent research, Doctoral study, or professional roles in biomedical science, biotechnology, and related fields.

The Research Project is a major independent study that allows you to apply and demonstrate the research skills developed throughout your master’s degree. In this module you will design and carry out an individual research project in a biomedical subject area under the guidance of an academic supervisor. It may involve conducting experiments in a laboratory and taking measurements using biological or biochemical assays, questionnaire-based research or collecting data from published studies or databases. This project will develop your ability to plan and execute research, analyse quantitative and/or qualitative data, and critically evaluate findings. You will learn to present results clearly and coherently, using appropriate scientific formats and conventions and it will provide a valuable opportunity to showcase your problem-solving, scientific writing, and data-handling skills, preparing you for future employment. You will write your project in the format of a primary research paper. In addition, you will keep a diary documenting your development as a research scientist in the manner of a personal blog. This can be used to discuss topics that might not be appropriate for inclusion in the report, such as alternative approaches to addressing the research question, appropriateness of the methods, controls, number of subjects.

The module covers the physiology and pathophysiology of the blood and blood-forming tissues, the major organ and endocrine systems, with an emphasis on the work of “Blood Sciences” laboratories in the investigation of patient disorders, along with the preparation and therapeutic use of blood products in transfusion. You will learn about the investigation of common haematological conditions and how they present in a Blood Sciences laboratory, including anaemias, malignancies, haemorrhagic and thrombotic disorders. You will develop advanced level knowledge of diagnostic tests used to determine the health of major body and organ systems, along with common tumour markers. You will develop higher level knowledge of how these assays are used in the screening, diagnosis and monitoring of a range of diseases. You will use patient case studies to illustrate a range of biochemical and haematological ailments and assays.

This module introduces you to the advanced concepts, techniques and applications that underpin modern cellular pathology. You will build on your existing knowledge of histology and pathology to explore how cells adapt, how tumours develop and how diagnostic decisions are made in real clinical settings. Through a combination of lectures, data-driven workshops and hands-on practical sessions, you will learn how tissues are processed, stained, examined and interpreted at a postgraduate level. As the module progresses, you will be introduced to the key molecular and genomic technologies that are now central to personalised medicine. You will engage with DNA sequencing, cytogenetics, pharmacogenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and the role of multiomics approaches in diagnosing cancer and rare diseases. Case studies and problem-solving activities will help you apply your learning to authentic clinical scenarios. You will also take part in practical sessions where you will analyse cervical cytology and explore molecular tests used in cancer management. By the end of the module, you will be able to critically interpret a range of cellular, molecular and genomic data and understand how these findings contribute to patient care. This module will strengthen your confidence, analytical ability and professional skills for future roles in laboratory science, diagnostics, or research.

This module provides an integrated exploration of medical microbiology and immunology, examining how host defence mechanisms interact with clinically significant pathogens and how disruptions in these systems lead to disease. You will review the key features of major immunological disorders, including autoimmune, hypersensitivity, and immunodeficiency diseases as well as focusing on underlying mechanisms, clinical presentation, laboratory investigations, and current therapeutic strategies. Teaching is delivered through a blended model combining flipped learning with interactive teaching sessions. Core concepts are introduced through online lectures, enabling you to prepare for in-person classroom sessions focused on problem-solving tasks, data interpretation, and collaborative activities. Case-based discussions will highlight real world diagnostic reasoning and the integration of microbiological and immunological data in clinical decision-making. By the end of the module, you will have a robust, clinically relevant foundation in both disciplines to support further research or professional practice.