Undergraduate prospectus 2020

Course description

This course is designed for students who want to pursue a career in industrial or academic research. You'll do a year-long, paid work placement as part of your degree and earn a salary whilst doing it. When you return to Sheffield, the majority of your fourth year will be devoted to a major research project allowing you to develop advanced laboratory skills.

The course covers everything from the gene to whole-body systems, including cell and molecular biology, genetics, physiology, pharmacology, anatomy, developmental biology, neuroscience and systems biology. We're proud to be one of only a few universities in the UK to offer undergraduate students the opportunity to perform full-body cadaveric dissection, providing you with an excellent foundation for understanding human physiology and developmental biology.

All of our students take compulsory modules designed to give you specialist knowledge of biomedical science and the essential skills that every professional scientist needs. As you progress through your degree, optional modules will allow you to specialise in the areas that interest you the most, from physiology, pharmacology and neuroscience to developmental and cell biology, stem cells and cancer.

In your first year, you'll cover the basic concepts and skills that biomedicine is based on. In practical lab sessions, you'll learn the scientific research techniques that you'll use throughout your degree. You'll have lectures and take part in small group tutorials where you'll be introduced to the latest research findings from our world-leading academics and you'll also have the opportunity to share knowledge and benefit from others' expertise through optional peer-assisted study sessions.

In your second year, you'll begin exploring more advanced scientific techniques, both in the lab and in lectures, with topics including molecular physiology and cell and developmental biology. Many students choose to take our 'Introduction to Human Anatomy' module where you'll have the opportunity to learn about the human body by performing cadaveric dissection.

In your third year, you'll return from placement and complete a research project alongside your chosen specialist modules. If you choose to be lab-based, you'll be embedded in one of our research groups, working within a team to conduct and report research findings. If you choose to undertake your project in a non-laboratory setting, you could complete an extended library project, gain experience of teaching in local schools, or even join the "Patients as Educators" scheme to interact with and discuss clinical conditions with patient volunteers.

In your fourth year, the majority of your time will be devoted to a major research project designed to equip you with the advanced laboratory skills you'll need for a successful and rewarding career in science. You'll be embedded within one of our specialist research groups, conducting independent research and interacting with academics and lab staff as a professional scientist.

If you want to study biomedical science but don't meet the entry requirements to go straight into the first year, our Biosciences with Foundation Year could be for you. After successfully completing the one-year programme, you'll progress onto the first year of your chosen degree.

Modules: what you study and when