Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (Medical Molecular Biology)

at University of Westminster - Cavendish Campus United Kingdom

Pharmacology and physiology are two closely related disciplines. Pharmacology is the study of drug action and how medicines may modify disease states. Physiology is concerned with how the body and its systems are controlled, and in the changes that lead to disease states (pathophysiology).

This course will provide you with a sound understanding of the biological action of drugs and other biomolecules at the whole-body, tissue, cellular and sub-cellular levels, and their uses as medicines for the treatment of disease. It provides an ideal grounding for a career in the pharmaceutical industry or other areas of biomedical research, academia, the Scientific Civil Service and healthcare provision.

Opportunities exist for you to enhance your practical and related transferable skills within our research laboratories. Teaching is informed by high-quality research in relevant cognate areas, within the department.

Top reasons to study with us

• Build a successful career – this course will give you the knowledge and skills for a career in the pharmaceutical industry or other areas of biomedical research
• Make the most of our facilities – develop your skills in our fully equipped laboratories, and benefit from our APOLLO Patient Care Simulator platform
• Learn from our expert teaching staff – teaching is informed by high-quality research, delivering the forefront of current and cutting-edge science to students

This course enables you to study cutting edge molecular methods employed for the understanding of molecular mechanisms of diseases and for their diagnosis and treatment. Your studies will be underpinned by essential knowledge in genetics, cell signalling and molecular medicine.

You will be offered the flexibility to select option modules that reflect your own interest in molecular biology and these will be combined with core modules and an independent research project. The course is suitable for newly qualified graduates, those employed in related work and those with medical qualifications.

Our Biological Sciences BSc will give you a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and the key skills to prepare you for careers ranging from research, medicine, science and education, to law and management.

Our flexible course enables you to focus on molecular science, human biology or applied biosciences, or take a route designed specifically toward your own interests.

Alongside developing an excellent foundation in biological knowledge, through the study of our core modules, you'll be able to explore global challenges facing humanity and the planet – and the biological solutions to help overcome those challenges – through an extensive range of optional subjects.

You'll have the chance to explore cutting-edge topics in molecular biology and genetics, microbiology, the urban environment, global challenges, pharmacology, and biological applications. Our modules are research driven, with a passion for scientific enquiry.

You'll also have the opportunity to undertake a lab-based final-year project, giving you experience in the latest methods and developments in medical and scientific research.

The University Careers and Employability Service and course-related events provide opportunities to discover a range of bioscience-related careers to support you in preparing for your future.

Our Biological Sciences BSc has been designed to provide a thorough knowledge of biosciences and to equip you with vital transferable skills that will help you to succeed in both science and non-science careers.

Biomedical science is concerned with the detailed study of the human body, both in health and disease, with emphasis on the diagnosis and understanding of disease states and the mechanisms involved.

In Year 1 you'll study the important fundamental sciences, including biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, and human anatomy and physiology.

In Year 2 you'll develop your understanding of a wide range of disease processes, combined with the principles of laboratory procedures used to aid diagnosis and treatment.

In Year 3 you'll focus on the study of the complex nature of disease as it affects particular biological systems. You'll also study the laboratory procedures used in haematology, clinical immunology, cellular and molecular pathology, clinical biochemistry and medical microbiology, to diagnose and monitor disease. You'll also undertake a major research project, which will enable you to develop the skills you need for genuine scientific inquiry.

The course will allow you to expand your understanding of immunology, immunopathology and immunotherapy, to further develop skills in analytical approaches to immunodiagnosis and molecular therapeutics, as well as enhance your competence in the design and execution of a laboratory based project. You will be able to take a proactive role in research, development, evaluation and implementation of current immunological techniques while perceiving the subject in the broader perspective of health care and scientific progress.

The scope of the modules included will ensure a breadth of knowledge appropriate for the scientific and professional needs of practising immunologists, at the same time making use of your knowledge and experience. This course is designed so that you can plan your own taught programme to match your interests and experience by combining core and optional modules with emphasis on therapeutics, diagnostics, haematology or public health.

Software engineering is the application of engineering methods, practices and disciplines to the creation and maintenance of software applications and systems. A professional software engineer works with these engineering approaches to develop software in a systematic, quantifiable and disciplined way.

By choosing this course, you’ll get the essential practical experience of programming and applying software engineering to a number of new and important areas of IT and computing. In addition, you’ll develop a strong grasp of the theory that underpins these practical skills.

To ensure that you have the best possible employment prospects at the end of the course, you’ll gain skills that cover a variety of areas: technical skills, such as programming, object-oriented software development, practical experience of software development tools; soft skills, such as analytical and critical thinking, communication, presenting and demonstrating, team working, and peer reviewing; and career skills, such as CV writing, planning, job searching, interview practice.

This course (previously Business Intelligence and Analytics MSc) addresses the need to propel information-gathering and data organisation, and exploit potential information and knowledge hidden in routinely collected data to improve decision-making. The course stretches the artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and decision science themes to Business Intelligence, Data Science and Business Analytics.

You will focus on developing solutions to real-world problems associated with the changing nature of IT infrastructure and increasing volumes of data, using applications and case studies, while gaining a deep appreciation of the underlying models and techniques. You will also gain a greater understanding of the impact technological advances have on nature and practices adopted within Data Science, Business Intelligence and Analytics, and how to adapt to these changes.

Embedded into the course are two key themes. The first will help you to develop your skills in the use and application of various technologies, architectures, techniques, tools, and methods for data science. These include data warehousing and mining, distributed data management, and the technologies, architectures, and appropriate AI and ML techniques. The second theme will enhance your knowledge of algorithms and the quantitative techniques including AI, ML, and Operational Research (OR) suitable for analysing and mining data and developing decision models in a broad range of application areas. The project consolidates the taught subjects covered, while giving you the opportunity to pursue in-depth study in your chosen area.

Teaching approaches include lectures, tutorials, seminars, and practical sessions. You will also learn through extensive course work, class presentations, group research work, and the use of a range of industry standard software such as R, Python, Simul8, Palisade Decision Tools, Hadoop, and Oracle.

Our Computer Science BSc will give you the computing skills and knowledge to help shape the future of businesses and organisations.

A key benefit of our course is its flexibility. You'll be able to build a customised route within computer science, following a pathway in one of several computing areas to suit your interests. You'll develop a wide range of skills and knowledge in areas such as creative computing, information systems, graphics and games development, mobile and web computing, software engineering, design and development, software security, and artificial intelligence.

You'll use industrial tools and techniques throughout our course and graduate well versed in all aspects of the software lifecycle. You'll have the chance to apply your new knowledge and skills to real-world problems, usually in the form of a small-scale project set by an external organisation. As well as the technical skills you'll develop as part of this project, and you'll build vital transferable skills around the areas of commercial awareness, leadership and organisation.

Top reasons to study with us

• Choose your own path – Our flexible course allows you to study the areas of computing you are most interested in, while still getting a broad education in computing
• Get real-life work experience – Increase your employability and put your problem-solving skills into practice by completing a year in industry during your course. Past destinations for our students include: Apple, AppNexus, Bromley Healthcare CIC, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, PGIM, ServiceNow, Sony, SR Group
• Prepare for your career – Career prospects for computer science students are excellent, and our degree will prepare you for graduate roles such as computer programmer, web developer, junior specialist developer, and software developer
• Start your journey as an IT professional – Our course is intended to fulfil the requirements of the British Computer Society (BCS), which means it complies with rigorous academic and professional standards as set out by the BCS. It also allows graduates to gain registration as a Chartered IT Professional (CITP) and partial registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng)

Our established programme in Biotechnology, which has been extensively updated, includes a wide range of modern molecular biology techniques and how biotechnology can be used by today's society. You will complement your theoretical studies with hands on experience of fully controlled fermenters that are up to pilot-plant scale, and are linked to modern monitoring and control systems.

You will study a range of subjects in considerable depth, including bioactive compounds, industrial bioprocesses, microbial physiology and fermentation technology, microbial production of novel metabolites, monitoring and control of fermentation, topics in biotechnology, and types of bioreactors.

This course is designed to give you the opportunity to study and analyse the theoretical and practical basis of medical microbiology and many of the specialist areas within it. You will gain greater insight into the importance and role of medical microbiology, with an emphasis on cutting edge areas such as molecular diagnostics and genomics, emerging pathogens and antibiotic resistance.

You will study a range of core and option modules that will allow you to tailor studies to your own requirements. You will expand your knowledge of the basic science and analytical techniques relating to medical microbiology and gain an up-to-date understanding of the application of medical microbiology in bioscience/pharmaceutical research, as well as in diagnostic and therapeutic medicine. There will be an emphasis in the course on development of critical analysis skills in assessment of scientific literature and laboratory data. In addition you will have the opportunity to design and execute your own research project. The course team is supported by visiting lecturers who are practising scientists in the field, which helps to ensure that taught material is current and relevant.