Biomedical Sciences with Professional Experience BSc (Hons)

University of Reading

Learn about the inner workings of the human body and take part in world-class research through our practical BSc Biomedical Sciences with Professional Experience course.Our BSc Biomedical Sciences course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science and was developed in partnership with practising NHS laboratory scientists. All of our lecturers are involved in research and you will be taught by experts in their fields.You will learn about the systems that underpin all living organisms from a cellular, tissue, organ and whole body perspective. From this basis, you will study the diseases that affect each area and the mechanisms that the body uses to combat them. The flexible nature of the course will then allow you to pick specialist modules that match your interests. You will also have the chance to carry out a year-long industrial placement or a paid vacation studentship in order to gain valuable work and research experience.The course has a strong practical basis, and you will learn key cellular, molecular and biochemical techniques, including live cell microscopy, and DNA and protein technology. During your final year will have the chance to spend 11 weeks working in a lab on a biomedical research project. Past projects have investigated coronary heart disease, gene therapy for muscular dystrophies, and the role of cell movement in the spread of cancer.Our new £60m Health and Life Sciences building will open in 2020. As the new home of the School of Biological Sciences, it will offer state-of-the-art research and teaching laboratories, seminar rooms, and plenty of study and social space, including a café. The building will also house the Cole Museum of Zoology. The collection, featuring over 3,500 natural history specimens, provides a fantastic resource for biological scientists and the wider community.**Placement**You will carry out a year-long industrial placement between your second and final year. Student in previous years have worked at Diamond Light Source, Public Health England, GSK, and Covance. You can also choose to spend a year abroad, typically carrying out research in an academic laboratory.You will have the opportunity to undertake paid vacation studentships funded by organisations such as the Wellcome Trust. These can take place over six weeks during the summer break, or be carried out part-time over a longer period. During studentships you will typically work on a set project and benefit from valuable training in techniques, experimental design and the interpretation of data.Additionally, you can choose to take a work placement module.Our department has a dedicated academic in charge of placements, who can provide you with advice and support.**Careers**This degree is geared towards biomedical careers, and you could go on to work as a biomedical scientist within a hospital or pharmaceutical laboratory. Alternatively, you could work in academic laboratories, scientific publishing or clinical trials. You may also decide to study for higher research degrees or commence a medical, dentistry or veterinary degree course.