BSc Medical Science

Compulsory modules

Cellular and Molecular Principles of Life

Learn about the structure and organisation of cells, with a focus on the common features found in all life. You’ll also discover how the differences between cells are essential for creating the diversity of life on the planet. 

Fundamentals of Microbiology

Gain a foundation in microbiology, covering the biology, diversity, structure, genetics, ecology, and evolution of bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi, and viruses. You’ll discover their impact on environment and society, and how they cause infections or develop antimicrobial resistance, while exploring  different methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention

Anatomy and Physiology

Explore how organs work to support life. You will be introduced to the basics of the anatomy of some of the major systems of the human body, and to the physiological processes taking part within and between them. 

Professional Skills for Healthcare 1

Address key questions related to your future career. You’ll develop and refine the skills required of a healthcare professional such as communication, reflection, numeracy, statistics, and sourcing and interpreting scientific literature. 

Human Pathology

Gain solid theoretical and practical knowledge and essential skills to understand the role of pathology in human disease diagnosis in biomedical research or healthcare.

Physical Essentials for Medicine

Acquire fundamental knowledge about diagnosing and treating human health issues, which will serve as a foundation for more specialised clinical modules in the future.

Optional modules

Mathematics

Develop your mathematical skills for biomedical engineering including topics in algebra, complex numbers, statistics, calculus, vectors, and matrices. You’ll also learn how to use the mathematical software MATLAB, which is used by professionals worldwide. 

Programming

Learn C/C++ programming languages for practical applications, applying your skills to design a grid-based game or organisation toolkit for your local General Practice clinic.  

These are the modules we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they're informed by the latest teaching and research methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Principles of Physical Interventions in Medicine

Understand the anatomy and physiology of the eye, the ear, the brain and the wide range of instrumentation functions to diagnose common conditions.

Haematology and Immunology

Discover the fundamental principles and concepts that underpin haematology and immunology. You’ll explore topics such as the production, structure and function of blood cells, the techniques used within hospital haematology laboratories to investigate and diagnose disease, the main forms of immunopathology, and how vaccines are produced.

Skills in Public Health

Enhance your employability for a future career in clinical practice by gaining vital scientific and clinical skills required by healthcare practitioners. You’ll complete a placement in the clinical suite to develop your analytical and problem-solving abilities. 

Medical Genetics

Understand how genetic defects at the molecular level impact on pathophysiology and influence disease risk, progression and severity. You’ll study aetiology of major medical diseases, with a focus on both mendelian and complex polygenic disorders.  

Optional modules

Integrated Anatomy and Physiology

Learn about the basics of the anatomy of some of the major systems of the human body and the physiological processes taking part within and between them.

Advanced Studies in Cellular and Molecular Biology

Expand your understanding of the processes underlying cellular function, and explore at the molecular level the mechanisms by which cells work and how these mechanisms are regulated.  

Biomedical Signal Processing and Feedback Systems

Understand the biomedical signals and feedback systems which are essential for body functions and processes. You’ll consider the importance of system stability, applications of signal processing techniques, and linear systems theory for solving biomedical problems. 

Biomedical Sensors and Wearable Technology

Discover how sensors are used alongside embedded processors to produce wearable technology for medical and healthcare applications. Selecting appropriate tools, you’ll calculate output signals in relation to the quantities sensed.

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

Explore an essential part of modern biology to develop your programming and computational skills. You'll cover basic algorithms, machine learning, and agent-based systems to demonstrate how bioinformatics enhances research in biology. 

Selected Pathologies

Collate and apply concepts in anatomy and physiology to selected pathologies, deepening your understanding of how the body works and what is unhealthy. 

Medicines in Healthcare

Understand how science is used to create and administer medicines in the gastrointestinal tract. Using an integrated learning approach, you’ll research specific health conditions and consider holistic care requirements for a patient. 

These are the modules we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they're informed by the latest teaching and research methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy for Cancer

Study various imaging techniques like X-rays, ultrasound, CT, PET, and SPECT. You'll also discover radiotherapy planning, equipment operation, and radiopharmaceutical production.

Research Project

Gain hands-on experience in independent research, applying, and expanding, what you’ve learned while working with an academic supervisor on experiments, data analysis, and science communication.

Optional modules

Venoms and Poisons: From Pharmacology to Therapeutics

Learn about the evolution, ecology, biochemistry, mechanisms, and toxicology principles of venomous creatures, poisonous plants, and fungi. You’ll explore how venoms and poisons are used for medicinal purposes, and develop a greater understanding of the principles of pharmacology.

Pathogens

Discover how bacteria and viruses can cause diseases by interacting with host organisms, and study real-life examples of how different factors affect pathogenesis, impacting on human health, agriculture, and protein disorders. You’ll also cover opportunistic pathogens and the molecular basis of emerging infectious diseases with epidemic potential.

Cancer and Cell Communication

Explore the connection between cellular signalling and cancer development and learn how lab and computer modelling studies have enhanced our grasp of receptors and signal transduction's role in cell function. 

Evolution in Health and Disease

Discover how some of the most important medical problems of our time have been shaped by our evolutionary history. You’ll study relevant evolutionary processes across the animal kingdom and the Tree of Life, and you’ll explore the implications of evolutionary biology to human health and disease.

Biomechanics and Soft Technologies

Explore the technologies and recent advancements of material science. You’ll gain functional and practical understanding of soft technology by analysing simple engineering and biological structures, from cytoskeletons to cantilever bridges. 

Clinical Skills

Refine your clinical and scientific skills with problem-based activities on community, local, and national healthcare. You’ll consider international health challenges alongside socioeconomic and demographic factors that influence clinical outcomes and public health statistics.  

Forensics

Learn the core principles of biology applied to criminology, and see how modern science helps solve complex crimes. You’ll cover topics such as forensic pathology, anthropology, entomology, and acarology. 

Applied Microbiology

Develop your understanding of the medical, agricultural, environmental, and industrial applications of microbes and microbial biotechnology, and how advances in this field can help tackle global challenges.

Integrated Biochemistry

Discover the diverse uses of biochemistry in biotechnology, medicine, and agriculture. and explore its role in diagnosing diseases, microbiology, and microbial processes.

Epidemiology of Zoonotic Diseases

Delve into zoonotic diseases, their hosts, symptoms, and effects on human health and the economy, and learn about disease control, co-evolution, and the use of epidemiological modelling for effective management.

Neuroscience

Gain an introduction to neuroscience, focusing on the structure and function of the central nervous system. You’ll learn healthy brain function and how it changes in disease and neurodivergent conditions, covering different topics such as learning, memory, and neuroanatomy.

Cardiovascular Biology

Learn the latest insights into the causes of heart attacks and strokes, and how drugs, can be used to treat them. You’ll also discover how cardiovascular disease is affected by our genetic makeup and how it can be lessened by changes to lifestyle and diet.

Medical Imaging 

Understand techniques and processes that create a visual representation of the interior body for clinical analysis and medical intervention. Focusing on MRI, CT, and ultrasound imaging techniques, you'll learn how to view, process, and analyse human fMRI data.

Synthetic Biology and Tissue Engineering

Explore the intriguing fields of materials science, synthetic biology, and tissue engineering. You'll gain an understanding of synthetic biology and tissue engineering - the development of implantable devices and tissue replacement to restore lost organs and their function. You'll also learn the principles underpinning synthetic biology and all about the synthetic biology design cycle.

These are the modules we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they're informed by the latest teaching and research methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.