Biomed Online (short course)

More about this course

Important notice: This course is currently unavailable to new students.

You can choose modules from a range of topics. The clinical areas you can study include:

• Haematology – The study of blood and blood diseases, as well as the structure, function and production of blood cells, haemopoiesis, haemostasis, anaemias, haematological malignancies and blood-borne parasites. You’ll also study diagnostics, laboratory techniques and quality control.
• Transfusion and Transplantation – The study of blood transfusion, preparation, storage and use of blood components. The module will also cover immunohaematology, genetics, inheritance, structure, function and the role of red cell antigens, transfusion reactions and transplant practice.
• General Biochemistry – Chemical principles relevant to biological systems, structure and the function of key molecules including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and enzymes. You’ll also cover cellular metabolism and metabolic pathways. 
• Clinical Biochemistry – The study and analysis of bodily fluids for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. You’ll learn about a range of methods used for collection of clinical samples, as well as principles and applications of biochemical investigations used in screening, diagnosis, treatment and the monitoring of disease. The module will also cover substance abuse and therapeutic drug monitoring.
• Cellular Pathology – The study and examination of normal and diseased tissues and cells. The module will also involve studying preparation of tissues and cells, microscopy and histochemistry and immunocytochemistry, as well as reproductive science, ageing and disease.
• General Microbiology – The structure, physiology and biochemistry of microorganisms, as well as the study of identification, classification and control of microorganisms.
• Medical Microbiology – The study of how microorganisms – bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites – cause disease in humans, ‘pathogenic mechanisms’. The module will also cover public health and infection control, as well as laboratory investigations of infectious disease and antiviral and antimicrobial therapy.
• Immunology – The structure, function and mechanisms of the components of the innate and adaptive immune systems and inflammation.
• Clinical Immunology – The function and measurement of effectors of the immune response, immunological laboratory techniques, aetiology and pathogenesis of abnormal immune function, neoplastic disease and transplant reactions, prophylaxis and immunotherapy.
• Molecular Biology and Genetics – The structure and function of DNA, RNA and proteins, DNA replication, transcription and translation, the structure and function of genes, principles of inheritance, mutations and disease, gene technology, cellular and molecular mechanisms of disease.
• Clinical Genetics – The clinical applications of genetics, risk assessment, diagnosis and genetic counselling, as well as the management of genetic disease, avoidance and prevention, ethical and social issues.
• Anatomy and Physiology – The study of the structure and relationships between body parts and their individual functions in health and disease. You’ll also get an overview of component body parts and major systems, as well as anatomical terminology with a focus on current health issues, obesity, alcohol abuse and diabetes.
• Cell Biology – The study of cells and cell theory, microscopy and centrifugation. You’ll also be taught about cell cycle, cell division, cell structures and energy pathways, cell communication and signalling and principles of molecular cell biology techniques.
• Toxicology – Drug metabolism, the study of the adverse effects of chemicals on humans, analytical techniques, diagnosing and treating exposure to poisons.
• Haemoglobinopathies – Molecular aetiology of red cell blood disorders, Sickle Cell Disease, Thalassaemias and other significant haemoglobinopathies. The module will also cover screening and diagnostic tests, UK screening policies and ethical considerations, as well as quality assurance.
• Bioethics, Research and Grant Proposal – (prerequisite to the research project module). This provides you with an understanding of the skills needed for the planning, organisation and practice of research in science. You’ll also learn about the bioethical considerations to developing a research project and proposals for funding, such as approaching an organisation for a grant.
• Research Project – Aims to provide you with the opportunity to apply and develop previously acquired knowledge and laboratory skills to a biomedical sciences research problem and undertake, critically evaluate, reflect and report on an individual experimental programme. 

All of our modules are delivered via our virtual learning environment and all study is completed online. Study is self-directed, with little interference from us, so that you can progress with your studies 24/7. We operate a dedicated ‘one-stop-shop’ help service for when you may need assistance and we aim to respond to all online queries as quickly as possible.

All assessments are also completed online and there is no requirement for attendance at the University, with the exception of our research project module, which can be taken in our laboratories at an additional cost.

Previous pass rates for these courses are:

Please note all % rates expressed above include instances where students have failed to complete modules on time.

Assessment

Each module will contain a level of assessment equivalent to the academic credits available. Assessment in modules can include online mini tests at the end of each topic, posters, online tests, essays, personal learning logs, information leaflets and end of module assignments. Submission points for completed assessments are in January and July. Bioethics Research and Grant Proposal and Research Project have assessment items that are specific to a research environment and that have specific submission dates.

Professional accreditation

Important notice: This course is currently unavailable to new students.

We offer Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) accredited modules in all of the key subject areas.

Entry requirements

Important notice: This course is currently unavailable to new students.

You will be required to have an IBMS supplementary education request or have a minimum of a lower second-class undergraduate degree in a related science. You should also have appropriate qualifications or experience of biomedical science practice. If you're in possession of an IBMS letter, you will not be required to provide references.

Course structure

What our students say

“It was lovely chatting to you. I can’t thank you enough for the link, the advice and the support over the last couple of years.”

“I have received the formal certificate today in the mail. I can't thank you enough – I would not have accomplished this without the help from you and other teachers.”

“Thanks for all the assistance over the last year. I enjoyed it so much that I might plan to make an excuse and come back again in the future.”

“Thank you so much for all the help you have given me while completing the distance learning course and also during my undergraduate studies as well. You have always been really helpful and supportive even though the only communication options have been through email, Blackboard and Skype, and I just wanted to say I have really appreciated it. I do not think I would be where I am now without all your help and support, you are awesome! I managed to get a place on the STP programme and I simply wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for the help I have had along the way so thank you again!”

“It helped that I had a clear objective (one module at a time) and I wasn't going into it completely blind – I've been working in a hospital lab for several years now and both my BSc and MSc have had enough background that I felt I had sufficient background to cope with most of the material.”

Where this course can take you

Important notice: This course is currently unavailable to new students.

This short course is designed for healthcare professionals in a variety of disciplines, including trainee biomedical scientists or medical laboratory technicians who want to reinforce their degree-level learning prior to undertaking training to become registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

How to pay

To be able to access your module(s) you'll need to have paid all of your fees for modules that you have entered on your module registration form. These modules are not eligible for the Postgraduate Loan.

Whether you are a student paying for their own tuition fees or a sponsor there are several ways to pay:

• You can pay online

Or

• Credit/debit card or bank transfer payments can also be paid direct over the phone to our cashiers department:

Cashiers Office
Finance Department, Admin Block
Tower Building, 166-220 Holloway Road, 
London 
N7 8DB

Tel: +44 (0)20 7133 2062 / 2603
Fax: +44 (0)20 7133 2193

Additional fee information

£1,000 per 20-credit module and £740 per 10-credit module. The Research Project module costs £2,760. The administration required for the Research Project module results in this module costing more than the others.

When to apply

Important notice: This course is currently unavailable to new students.