LONDON'S GLOBAL UNIVERSITY
Biomedical Sciences BSc
UCAS code: B990
www.ucl.ac.uk/prospectus/biomedsci
Biomedical Sciences BSc
This BSc is designed to introduce students to a
variety of scientific disciplines across the
biosciences. The interdisciplinary nature of the
programme means that the areas covered
include anatomy, cell biology, developmental
biology, genetics, immunology and infection,
neuroscience, pharmacology, physiology and
psychology.
Degree summary
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UCL is a long-standing centre of excellence in biomedical science
subjects and is internationally recognised for its strength within the
field of biomedical research.
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You will have the opportunity to transfer to one of nine specific
degree programmes from the second year, or to continue with the
general Biomedical Sciences programme.
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You will be taught by experts in the different subjects, but will also be
encouraged to discover how the subjects overlap and interact,
allowing your studies to have both breadth and depth.
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Excellent facilities include laboratories, library collections and
computer cluster rooms. Get involved with the activities of the
student-run Biosciences Society, which organises seminars, careers
evenings and other social events.
In the first year all courses are mandatory and are designed to give you a
firm foundation on which to make an informed choice for later years. They
cover topics in, for example, anatomy, cellular and molecular biology,
chemistry, genetics, pharmacology and physiology.
Anatomy and Developmental Biology*
Genetics*
Human Genetics*
Immunology and Infection*
Molecular Biology*
Neuroscience
Pharmacology
Physiology*
Physiology and Pharmacology*
*programmes available for entry only in the second year
Your learning
Teaching methods across the Faculty of Life Sciences involve a mixture
of lectures, practical classes, seminars, tutorials and computer-based
exercises. The small-group settings for practical and tutorial work provide
opportunities for informal discussion. The first year is predominantly
taught through lectures and laboratory classes.
Courses will be assessed through a combination of coursework, practical
reports, web-based exercises, tests and oral presentations. Written
examinations will take place at the end of each academic year. Your
success in your first-year examination results will be used to assess your
eligibility for entry into the specialist degree programmes.
Your career
You will develop the critical and analytical skills necessary to confront
complex problems, equipping you for further study, research, or for a
wide variety of careers such as those associated with medical research.
The training in skills such as logical thinking and decision-making are
valuable in many fields.
After completing your first year, if you find that your interest becomes
focused on one specific subject area, then you can transfer into a
specialist degree programme.
A degree in Biomedical Sciences opens the door to many career
possibilities. Graduates may enter the broad biomedical science field such as within healthcare or the pharmaceutical industry, or use their
skills in careers such as scientific journalism or management. The degree
also provides excellent preparation for postgraduate research.
If you wish to remain with the general Biomedical Sciences programme,
the second year offers five streams of study.
First career destinations of recent graduates (2010-2013) of this
programme include:
In your third year, you will undertake a research project under the
supervision of a staff member, in conjunction with a research group in
one of the faculty's departments or within UCL's biomedical institutes,
and select from an extensive range of options in your chosen stream of
study.
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Scientific Copy Editor, Spandidos Publications
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Pharmacy Regulator, Teva UK
Specialist degree programmes:
You can transfer to any of the following degree programmes after year
one:
Full-time student, MRes + MPhil/PhD in Modelling Biological
Complexity at UCL
Full-time student, MBBS in Medicine at UCL
Full-time student, MRes in Brain Sciences at UCL
Degree structure
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual courses,
normally valued at 0.5 or 1.0 credits, adding up to a total of 4.0 credits for
the year. Courses are assessed in the academic year in which they are
taken. The balance of compulsory and optional courses varies from
programme to programme and year to year. A 1.0 credit is considered
equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Year One
Compulsory courses
Cell Physiology and Developmental Biology
Cellular and Molecular Biology
Chemistry for Biology Students
Introduction to Genetics
Introduction to Human Anatomy
An Introduction to the Mechanisms of Drug Action
Mammalian Physiology
Optional courses
All first year courses are compulsory.
Year Two
Pathway options
You will have the opportunity in the second year to transfer into a specialist
degree programme in Anatomy and Developmental Biology; Genetics;
Human Genetics; Immunology and Infection; Molecular Biology;
Neuroscience; Pharmacology; Physiology; or Physiology and
Pharmacology, or to remain with the Biomedical Sciences programme.
Biomedical Sciences Programme
The second year offers five streams of study:
Stream 1: Focus on Organs and Systems
Stream 2: Focus on Control Systems
Stream 3: Focus on Developmental Biology
Stream 4: Focus on Drugs
Stream 5: Focus on Cells and Molecules
Final Year
Compulsory courses
Either a Laboratory-based Research Project (1.5 credits) or a
Literature-based Research Project (1.0 credits).
Optional courses
You will select from a wide range of optional courses in your chosen
stream of study and from other approved disciplines within UCL, to the
value of either 2.5 or 3.0 credits depending on your chosen project.
Entry requirements
A levels
A level grades
AAA
A level subjects
Biology and Chemistry required, plus
Mathematics or Physics preferred.
AS levels
For UK-based students a pass in a further subject
at AS level or equivalent is required.
GCSE
English Language and Mathematics at grade B.
For UK-based students, a grade C or equivalent
in a foreign language (other than Ancient Greek,
Biblical Hebrew or Latin) is required. UCL
provides opportunities to meet the foreign
language requirement following enrolment,
further details at: www.ucl.ac.uk/ug-reqs
IB diploma
extracurricular activities or reading scientific books and journals. We will
also seek to find out what it is about the study of biomedical subjects that
excites and motivates you.
If you are resident in the UK and we make you an offer, you will be invited
to an open day or interview. This event will include presentations about
the degree programme, our resources and facilities, and about student
life at UCL.
Fees
UK/EU fee
£9,000 (2016/17)
Overseas fee
£21,320 (2016/17)
Notes
Details about financial support are available at:
www.ucl.ac.uk/study/ug-finance
Contacts
Contact
IB points
38
Subjects
A total of 18 points in three higher level subjects
to include Biology and Chemistry, plus
Mathematics or Physics preferred, with no score
below 5. Mathematics must be offered at
standard level with minimum of grade 5, if not
offered at higher level.
Ms Marcella Baterip
Admissions Administrator
Email
biosciences-admissions@ucl.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)20 7679 7169
Prospectus entry
www.ucl.ac.uk/prospectus/biomedsci
Key facts
Other qualifications
REF
Full lists of all degree programmes and other entry requirements can be
found on our website at: www.ucl.ac.uk/otherquals
Interdisciplinary programme: see contributing
departments
Department
Division of Biosciences
Faculty
Life Sciences
Undergraduate Preparatory
Certificates
UCL's Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPCs) are intensive
one-year foundation courses for international students of high academic
potential, who are aiming to gain access to undergraduate degree
programmes at UCL and other top UK universities.
For more information see our website: www.ucl.ac.uk/upc
Your application
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at
school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however,
applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United
Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
In addition to checking whether you meet/are expected to meet our
academic entry requirements, we will be seeking evidence in your
application of your interest in science, for example, through
PDF Updated: February 19, 2016
Information correct at time of going to press. See website (www.ucl.ac.uk/prospectus/biomedsci) for latest information