- UCAS course code
- B9R9
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
BSc Biomedical Sciences with a Modern 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.
Additional expenses
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
Course unit details:
Role of Diagnostics in Medicine
Unit code | BIOL31832 |
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Credit rating | 10 |
Unit level | Level 3 |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
Offered by | School of Biological Sciences |
Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
This new lecture unit will be delivered entirely by senior scientists from QIAGEN from their Global Development and Molecular Diagnostics division. Students will learn about current diagnostic concepts as well as how to translate advanced molecular technologies into future diagnostic techniques - as explained by commercial scientists working at the cutting edge of this process. The unit will cover both the science and the regulatory requirements necessary for such developments. Though running conventionally (i.e. in Stopford, with Podcasts, Blackboard and an internal Unit Coordinator) the unit is otherwise a unique and extremely exciting opportunity to hear directly from very senior scientists working at a major international Life Sciences company. This unit should be of special interest to the Biomedical Sciences (and related) and Biotechnology (and related) programmes as well as to those students doing an Enterprise project.
Pre/co-requisites
None. Helpful units include:
- BIOL21351: Molecules & Cells in Human Disease
- BIOL20902: Clinical Sciences RSM
Aims
To explore current approaches in medical diagnostics, as well as how to develop and obtain approval for future diagnostic techniques. To consider Translational Medicine and its possible impact on human healthcare.
Syllabus
• Introduction to Medical Diagnostics
Why is it needed? Overview of existing diagnostics:
Patient interview (symptoms);
In vivo imaging e.g. X-ray, PET, MRI; In vitro sampling (Blood, biopsy etc)
Diagnostics performance - Sensitivity, Specificity, Precision.
Positive & negative predictive values (PPV, NPV)
• Molecular Diagnostic (MDx) Technologies
DNA-based e.g. (q)PCR, Sequencing (Sanger, Pyro, Next Gen/NGS)
Syndromic testing
Protein-based e.g. ELISA, Immunohistochemistry
Metabolite-based e.g. Chromatography (LC-MS)
Diagnostic devices and formats; Companion diagnostics
• Medical Diagnostics - Regulatory Environments and Requirements
Why regulation is necessary. Regulatory agencies in EU/US/CN/JP/AUS
Approval process and requirements.
Overview of US regulations - ASR, CLIA, 510k, PMA.
Example of regulatory approval process for device and assay (FDA/CE documents)
Typical development process and documentation requirements
Post-launch surveillance
Impact of regulatory processes - positive and negative on healthcare
• Translational Medicine Overview
Rationale: translate new discoveries into clinical practice - improve human health. Definition (three pillars: benchside, bedside and community).
Combine disciplines, resources, expertise, and techniques within these pillars to promote enhancements in prevention, diagnosis, and therapies.
Future of Diagnostic Medicine
Mechanisms supporting this: Government, Commercial, Programs and organizations supporting translational science
Assessment methods
800 word essay – 10%
Poster Presentation – 20%
2-hour written examination (70%), comprising 2 essays from a choice of 5.
Feedback methods
- Blackboard Discussion Board - checked regularly by Unit Coordinator.
Recommended reading
There are no specific textbooks for this unit.
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
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Assessment written exam | 2 |
Lectures | 17 |
Independent study hours | |
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Independent study | 81 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
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Nicola High | Unit coordinator |