ulster.ac.uk BSc Hons Biomedical & Healthcare Sciences (Ulster award) BSc Hons Biomedical & Bio-industrial Sciences (IT Sligo award) BSc Hons Biomedical Sciences (Joint Ulster / IT Sligo award)
At some point in our lives we all benefit from the services of Biomedical Scientists. For example, through the screening of patients, the diagnosis of disease and evaluation of the effectiveness of a treatment; or research to develop new healthcare technologies, diagnostic tests and treatments for disease; or development and processing of drugs utilising cell culture technologies; or education; or scientific writing. The overall purpose of this widening access taught programme is to provide an academically challenging and vocationally relevant science education for those secondary education qualified scientists and technologists working in a clinical healthcare setting in Life Sciences or the medical biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries or other areas of biomedical sciences, producing competent graduates to meet national needs in Ireland and UK.
Our programme is unique, not only as a collaboration between two leading Higher Education (HE) distance learning providers in the UK and Ireland but also in widening access to HE for healthcare science associate practioners, and less qualified practioners within biopharmaceutical manufacturing and research. Our programme meets clinical and/or industrial needs within three carefully designed BSc Honours courses, of which you would enter one for either a clinically focused award from Ulster or an industrially focused award from IT Sligo or a clinical and industrial related joint award from Ulster and IT Sligo. Studying on your chosen course This is an intensive part-time course, with a typical duration of four years, over 2 semesters in Years 1 to 3, and 3 semesters in Year 4. Year 1 provides you with a foundation in biological and chemical sciences, applied mathematics and complementary IT and laboratory skills. Year 2 enables you to meet fundamental requirements in physiology and anatomy, and biochemistry, and to further develop your laboratory and scientific communictaion skills, and knowledge of medical biotechnology. Year 3 deepens your knowledge of molecular and bioanalytical sciences, and provides you with an understanding of the legislative and quality control system frameworks which underpin clinical and industrial environments. You further develop professional practice, laboratory, enterprise and research skills, and select a final year Project topic. Year 4 provides you with the opportunity to pursue an investigative project. Where possible, for the benefit of your employer, you are encouraged to carry out a work based project. Depending on your chosen course, your other Year 4 studies are as follows: BSc Hons Biomedical and Healthcare Sciences (Ulster University award) In line with requirements of the Institute of Biomedical Science, you will study the subject specialisms, namely cellular pathology, clinical biochemistry, clinical immunology, haematology and transfusion science, and medical microbiology, and an additional biology of disease module with a molecular pathology emphasis. BSc Hons Biomedical and Bio-industrial Sciences (IT Sligo award) In line with the needs of the Medical Biotechnology and BioPharmaceutical industries, you will study critical aspects of Biopharmaceutical Processing including cell culture processing, protein purification, and formulation fill finish and delivery biopharmaceuticals, and of Support Services, including quality systems and regulatory affairs, validation of biopharmaceutical systems and biocontamination monitoring and control. BSc Hons Biomedical Sciences (Joint IT Sligo and Ulster University award) In recognition of a convergence of needs at the clinical and biopharmaceutical interface, you will study the molecular aspects of disease, the mechanisms and processes of infectious disease and clinical biochemical measurements in health and disease, along with cell culture processing, protein purification and quality systems and regulatory affairs.
Notable features of our programme Widening access: We are extending Higher Education in a very relevant way to some secondary level qualified students in the work place who otherwise would be unlikely to experience a scientific education to BSc Honours degree level. Flexible learning experience: We are sector leaders in biomedical science and biopharmaceutical science education by distance learning, and our virtual learn learning environments, supported by subject experts, engage you and allows you to study when you want and at your own pace. Cutting edge skills: A number of our modules incorporate hands-on, laboratory work at our state-of-the-art facilities, which are scheduled intensively over 2 or 3 days per semester, so as to facilitate your participation. Furthermore, within a number of final year modules, if you work in a medical laboratory, you may be able to carry out the required practicals in your work place Leading providers: Ulster University is ranked among the top five universities in the UK in terms of research power in biomedical science, with 100% of its research environment being scored as world-leading in the 2014 Ulster University is ranked among the top five universities in the UK in terms of research power in biomedical science UK Research Excellence Framework. IT Sligo s leadership position was recognised in 2012 when it was granted a Taoiseach s Public Service Excellence Award for its achievements in promoting online learning for both fulltime and part-time students. An Taoiseach, Mr Enda Kenny, in 2014 also officially opened IT Sligo s new 17 million MacMunn Science Building. This means you are being taught by some very top international quality researchers and skilled practitioners in building scientific communities of learning.
Your future You will enhance your prospects for promotion within your existing work place, and be able to secure professional roles with other employers of clinical and industrial biomedical scientists, and more broadly in the area of analytical science. There is also sufficient flexibility to allow you to move laterally into associated careers including Research and Development opportunities. Our programme serves a wide variety of postgraduate study opportunities including biomedical science, pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sciences, molecular biosciences and biotechnology (medical). If you are a medical lab assistant in the UK, the Ulster award is designed to meet the academic requirements of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). Furthermore, if you have the support of your employer to assess you against the required portfolio of IBMS practice competencies, you will then after graduation be in a position to apply for registration as a Biomedical Scientist by the Health Profession Council. Professional recognition Accreditation of all three degree courses, by the Institute of Biomedical Science, is currently being sought.
Entry requirements OR You must: Irish Leaving Certificate: 260 UCAS Tariff Points to include BBCCC (to include 2 science subjects as above). Applicants are also required to have ILC Higher level English and Maths grade D or above OR ILC Ordinary level at grade C or above; (a) satisfy the University s general entry requirements; AND (b) satisfy specific academic subject requirements for admission as detailed below: OR BTEC National Diploma: 260 UCAS Tariff Points - Pass overall BTEC ND with DMM (appropriate science disciplines only acceptable); GCSE: Passes at grade C or above in Mathematics, English Language and Chemistry OR Double Award Science; AND A Level: A minimum of 260 UCAS Tariff Points to include grades BC (including 2 science subjects 2 from Group A OR 1 from Group A and 1 from Group B). Group A Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Biology or Home Economics, of which Chemistry is preferred. Group B Physical Education, Geography, Information Technology. Applied Science Double Award is acceptable. OR Access courses: Certificate in Foundation Studies / Access Course (appropriate science disciplines only acceptable) with an overall average of 60%; OR (c) provide evidence of their ability to undertake the programme through the accreditation of prior experiential learning.
AND (d) normally be employed in a relevant healthcare science/bioscience/ bio-pharmaceutical laboratory environment in a scientific or quality assurance role. Because, 5 of the modules in Years 1 to 3, and 3 additional modules in Year 4 of BSc Hons Biomedical and Healthcare Sciences involve practicals, this programme is intended for Irish and UK residents but continental European residents will also be considered. If you are an international student, now resident in the UK or Ireland, or a continental European student you must have a minimum acceptable score for the British Council IELTS of 6.0 (5.5 or above in reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. If you have a sub degree or higher qualification, respective part-time, distance learning provision in BSc Hons Biomedical Science and BSc Hons BioPharmaceutical Science at Ulster and IT Sligo already offer articulation pathways. Thus accreditation for prior certificated learning from a sub degree such as BSc BioPharmaceutical Science from IT Sligo or Foundation Degree in Applied Medical Sciences from Ulster or BSc Honours/Higher Degree in a related science field for entry to this course is not considered. How to apply You need to apply online at: www.ulster.ac.uk/apply/how-to-apply How much does it cost? Fees are based on the number of credits studied per academic year, and have still to be confirmed for this programme. An indicative figure for the Year 1 tuition fee in 2015-16 for the three courses is 3,250 ( 4,500). Fees are reviewed annually with a likely increase in line with inflation. Once confirmed, information on fees will be available at: www.ulster.ac.uk/finance/fees/ Why IT Sligo & Ulster University? The IT Sligo philosophy, through its pioneering and enquiring and problem solving ethos, embodies what Yeats described as the Pilgrim Soul. The School of Biomedical Sciences at Ulster University enjoys a national and an international reputation for excellence in teaching. Our School was awarded the prestigious score of excellent in the 1999 Subject Review Exercise of UK universities. IT Sligo, as recognised by a Taoiseach s Public Service Excellence Award in 2012, is the leading highereducation institute in Ireland in the development and delivery of online educational programmes. Biomedical Sciences is in the premier league of universities with 100% of our research environment judged to be world-leading, 95% of our impact judged to be world leading or internationally excellent and 81% of our research papers judged to be world leading or internationally excellent in UK Research Excellence Framework 2014. Ulster is ranked among the top five universities in the UK in terms of research power in biomedical science. You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, within the respective 17 million MacMunn Science Building and 14.5 million Centre for Molecular Bioscience and Saad Centre for Pharmacy and Diabetes Buildings, giving you the chance to gain vital practical skills, and unique insights into cutting-edge research and how this contributes to knowledge and understanding of health and disease.
If you would like to find out more about the courses, please contact Peter Mitchell, the Programme Director: t: +44 (0)28 70123072 or e: pc.mitchell@ulster.ac.uk This leaflet is prepared in advance of the academic year to which it relates. Ulster University offers the information contained in it as a guide only. While we make every effort to check the accuracy of factual content at the time of drafting, some changes will inevitably have occurred in the interval between publication and commencement of the relevant academic year. We reserve the right to make changes to programmes when such action is reasonably considered to be necessary in the context of our wider purpose.