BioMed
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Welcome BioMeds!
Biomedical Science (BMS) is a course resulting from the intermingling of the Medicine and Biology courses. Whilst it shares many features with these two very popular courses, BMS is a very unique course on its own, with a wide range of career opportunities including scientific research, Health Management and even Graduate Medicine.
During your first year, you will be given a broad teaching on Human Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry and Microbiology. This general knowledge will serve as a solid base for further learning and specialisation. It will also help you start discovering the fields that interest you the most.
Second year consists of the following modules, as well as a tutored dissertation: Applied Molecular Biology, Human Pathophysiology and Disease, Cancer Biology, Immunology, Statistics and Computing, Genetics OR Parasitology and Medical Humanities.
Third year allows you to specialise yourself in a particular medical or biological field. Many options are available, such as Endocrinology, Neuroscience and Haematology. And additional fourth year is required for those studying BMS with Management (within the Imperial College Business School).
Modules are mainly taught with lectures; but these are heavily supported by practical sessions, important to develop laboratory skills; and tutorials, classes taught in small groups which help better understanding the content of lectures. If you need it, help can be provided by “Mums and Dads” and/or Personal Tutors, allocated by the Biomed Soc and the Faculty of Medicine, respectively.
As a biomed student, you will need to travel a lot! You will mainly be based in four different campuses around London: South Kensington, Hammersmith Hospital, Charing Cross Hospital and St Mary’s Hospital. All of these campuses have the necessary facilities for you to study (libraries, computer rooms…) and relax (gyms, cafés, bars…). Remember to work hard and play hard too!
Biomedical Science is one big family, and with the Biomed Soc bringing all 3 years together and providing any support you need we have no doubt that you’ll love your time here at Imperial. If you have any questions about anything at all please don’t hesitate to contact us!
Natalie Kempston
ICSMSU Academic Officer Year 4, Biomed. & Pharmacology 2011-12
m: 07944375574
e: academic.officer4bp@imperial.ac.ukDavid Tran
Biomed Soc President 2011-2012
e: dt1409@imperial.ac.uk
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Your Year Reps that will be elected in September
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Outcomes of recent staff-student meetings will be posted here!
Recent changes to the course include:
The removal of the Animal Behaviour module from Year one teaching. This was found to be irrelevant to Biomedical Science students and so was replaced with a new psychology module.
The introduction of Medical Humanities in Year two. Second year students were previously asked to choose a humanities or language subject to be taught at lunchtimes on the South Kensington campus. This often created problems as students were required to be on two campuses at the same time. Now everyone is taught the same module so it can be fitted in without interfering with core modules.
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Which campus are we based at?
In first and second year you spend 60% of the time based in South Kensington, in the SAF building. The other 40% is split between Charing Cross Hospital, Hammersmith Hospital, and St Mary’s Hospital.
In third year, it all depends on which BSc pathway you choose.
How many contact hours do we have per week?
It ranges massively, depending on whether you are studying a Life Sciences module (joint with Biologists) or a module run by the Faculty of Medicine. Life Sciences modules are usually 15-20 hours a week, while weeks in the Faculty of Medicine can be more varied; anything from 15 hours, to the hectic 27 hour week of Endocrinology in Year 1.
What coursework do I have to do?
First year: Human Biology is assessed with 4 essays (all 1000 words) as well as two practical tests; OSKAs. These tests involve using microscopes, pipettes, and other core skills such as labelling diagrams and molar calculations. Cell Biology and Biochemistry coursework can involve 1000-word essays, practical write ups or MCQ assessments on Blackboard.
Second Year: Coursework in second year involves giving presentations, timed essays, poster design, practical assessments, PBL sessions, a Bioinformatics Project and most importantly; a 4000 word tutored dissertation.
What format are exams in?
Exam papers for the previous two years should be available on Blackboard. The majority of exams are essay based, however some Life Science exams have multiple choice questions. The second-year Immunology exam contains short answer questions.
Should I bother meeting my personal tutor if I don’t have any personal problems?
Yes, yes, yes!! A personal tutor is there for a reason, and regular meetings (such as once a term) can be really beneficial. They can offer advice and encouragement, and if you are nice to them they’ll be nice to you and write you a glowing reference on graduation!
