Apply through UCAS
- UCAS course code
- B122
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
BSc Medical Physiology with a Modern Language
Develop your language skills while you study medical physiology to enhance your employability.
Duration: 4 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: B122 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Study abroad
Study with a language
- Typical A-level offer: AAA-AAB including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: AAB-ABB including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: ABB including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 36-35 points overall with 6, 6, 6 to 6, 6, 5 at HL, including specific requirements
Fees and funding
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £34,500 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
Tuition fees are considerably lower for your placement year. Please see the fees page
for full details.
Additional expenses
Tuition fees are considerably lower for your placement year. Please see the fees pages
for full details.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
Students participating in placements outside the UK may be able to apply for funding from the UK's Turing scheme
depending on eligibility. Priority will be given to students from low income households.
Course unit details:
Membrane Transport and Signalling in Health & Disease (E)
| Unit code | BIOL31621 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 10 |
| Unit level | Level 3 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
Building on Years 1 and 2, this unit explores in depth the pivotal roles of ion channels and transporters in cellular activity, and the consequences of disturbance to normal activity resulting from genetic aberration and disease. Students will learn how understanding of the physiological and pathophysiological roles of these proteins, and their structure and function, can be exploited to treat clinical conditions such as cancer, pain and vascular disease.
Pre/co-requisites
| Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Membrane Excitability: Ion Channels & Transporters in Action | BIOL21321 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
Aims
Ion channels and transporters have essential roles in the control of cellular activity. This unit aims to acquaint students with the roles of ion channels and transporters in clinical conditions, (e.g., cancer, pain) and the means to exploit these proteins as therapeutic targets.
Learning outcomes
Students should: Recognise the pivotal roles of ion channel and transporter proteins in cellular activity. Understand the consequences of disturbance to normal activity resulting from genetic aberration, disease, or drug action. Be able to link knowledge of ion channel/transporter structure and function to pathophysiology and approaches used for therapeutic intervention. Be able to review developing strategies for therapeutic intervention.
Syllabus
Structural and functional diversity of ion channels/transporters: Advanced knowledge of diversity in ion channel/transporter structure-function and its physiological and therapeutic relevance. Ion channel trafficking: Principles of ion channel trafficking, targeting and distribution, in relation to disease and therapeutic exploitation. Calcium Signalling and Disease: Physiological roles of ion channels and transporters involved in diseases arising from disrupted calcium signalling, e.g. calcium overload (stroke), genetic mutations (Alzheimer’s disease). Cancer: Roles of calcium and sodium channels and transporters in cancer. How calcium impacts on key cancer hallmarks, e.g. proliferation, migration and how voltage-gated sodium channels promote invasion and metastasis. Potential of the calcium signalling machinery and sodium channels as therapeutic targets. Pain: Roles of ion channels in pain transmission and how pain-related channelopathies arise from genetic mutations. Exploration of drugs currently in use and strategies for developing improved drugs for the treatment of chronic and neuropathic pain. Cardiovascular Function: Physiological roles of ion channels and transporters in cardiac excitation, rhythm, and regulation. Cardiac ion channelopathies due to genetic defects (cardiac arrhythmias) and drugs used to treat cardiovascular disease.
Employability skills
- Analytical skills
- Online research problem requiring critical analysis, and data interpretation, supported by a Workshop.
- Oral communication
- Students are encouraged to answer questions during lectures/workshops.
- Research
- Lecture content is research-led with an emphasis on current research, and students are encouraged to read around the subject. In addition to their own literature-based research, students are directed to additional scientific papers to enhance and consolidate their learning.
- Written communication
- Revision/Exam Practice Workshops support students in developing critical writing skills.
- Other
- Students will develop self-discipline and time management skills.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Other | 5% |
| Written exam | 80% |
| Written assignment (inc essay) | 15% |
Feedback methods
Online quizzes on core lecture material – written feedback for each Q via Blackboard Online research paper-based SAQs – individual and general written feedback via Blackboard Workshops, e.g. exam practice – verbal feedback in sessions Submitted essay plans (optional) – written feedback via email Discussion Board - written responses to student Qs via Unit Blackboard site
Recommended reading
References specific to each lecture topic will be recommended by individual lecturers.
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Assessment written exam | 2.7 |
| eAssessment | 6 |
| Lectures | 18 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 73.3 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth Fitzgerald | Unit coordinator |