Biomedical and Life Sciences

Biomedicine is at the forefront of worldwide research and advances in human bioscience today. Lancaster University is also central to such research, specialising in areas such as Alzheimer's disease, cancer (both the fundamental causes of cancer and individual forms of the disease including leukaemia, breast, skin, colon and prostate cancer), arthritis, environmental and microbiological health, corneal disease, Parkinson's disease, trypanasomal and tropical diseases, and irritable bowel disease. Such a diversity of biomedical research areas makes the top rated Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences at Lancaster the ideal choice for Biomedicine degrees.

The Biomedicine BSc (Hons) degree offers more flexibility than our alternative IBMS-accredited Biomedical Science degree (B990) allowing students to tailor the second and third years of their course more effectively to their personal interests within the field.

The Biomedicine MSci degree is a 4 year integrated Masters course allowing students to undertake the same taught modules as those available on the 3 year BSc variant of the course with the added benefit of a fourth year consisting of Masters level taught modules and an extended research project. Students on the course will, therefore, obtain additional practical skills that will stand them in particularly good stead when applying for subsequent research-based careers (particularly PhD posts). Progress to the fourth year of the MSci degree requires an overall performance equivalent to upper second class in both the second and third years of the degree. Students failing to meet this requirement, but who fulfil the necessary criteria for the award of an Honours degree, will graduate with a BSc (Hons) in Biomedicine.

Course Options

Transfer from the BSc to MSci courses is possible on a competitive basis. Students can apply via UCAS for either the BSc (Hons) or the MSci course variants (subject to the necessary initial entry criteria being met - see below). However, individuals enrolled on the BSc (Hons) course, should they achieve a minimum overall performance of upper second class in their second and third years, can apply to transfer to the fourth year of the MSci course (note that transfer is on a competitive basis).

Specialist facilities

Biology at Lancaster has a history of recent heavy investment in biomedical research through the appointment of several new members of academic staff. Interests include, familial predisposition to breast cancer, UV response and skin cancer, cellular response to DNA damage, leukaemia, joint destruction in arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, food poisoning bacteria, metastatic spread of cancer, biochemistry of corneal disease. We also have extensive research links with hospitals, at the local and national level. Due to our high level of research funding and activity in this area, our students are exposed to up-to-date facilities and cutting edge research expertise during their laboratory projects. Lectures, practicals and workshops will take place in our brand new teaching facilities containing state-of-the-art teaching laboratories and computer classrooms.

Entry Requirements

For entry from year 13 onto the BSc (Hons) degree our typical offer would be AAB at A-level. Similar entry onto the MSci course would typically require AAA at A-level. Both courses require at least two science subjects from Biol/Human Biol/Chem/Maths/Physics/Psychology and a minimum of AS-level Chemistry at grade C. For the MSci course we also specifically request that one of the two A2-level sciences offered must be Biol/Human Biol.

All candidates should have GCSE English language at grade C or above. For details of alternative English qualifications please follow this link.
Candidates should also have a minimum of grade B in GCSE Mathematics or the equivalent. We will also consider 'Access' course Mathematics components.

We welcome applications from mature candidates.

After receiving your application we will invite you to an Open Day for informal discussions with members of staff and to visit the campus. More information on applying is available here.

Careers info

One objective of this degree is to open career avenues for those students who have a particular interset in the biochemistry of human diseases/conditions. However, due to the teaching of fundamental biological science subjects such as biochemistry and molecular biology, this degree will also provide an excellent platform for other research based careers in biomedicine, including further postgraduate study for MSc or PhD qualifications. In addition there are many opportunities in industry, in particular the pharmaceutical industry that would be accessible to graduates of this scheme. Traditionally our graduates enter a wide range of careers and the transferable skills acquired during this degree will make the graduate attractive to employers in many other areas such as management, finance and marketing.

Contacts

Dr Edward Parkin, Head of Admissions, Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ.
E-mail:- bioladmit@lancaster.ac.uk
Phone:- 01524 593265

Related Information

We also run a joint honours degree course:Biological Sciences with Biomedicine.