BSc (Hons) Human Biosciences Bachelor's degree at Birmingham City University

In this module you will be taught a range of fundamental scientific skills that you will apply and develop across the course. You will embark on a range of instructional and investigative laboratory practical's designed to introduce you to scientific instruments that are commonly used in biology labs.

Biochemistry is the study of the fundamental chemical and molecular reactions that occur within living organisms. The aim of this module is to introduce you to structure/function relationships of key biological molecules, as well as the fundamental biochemical reactions that occur within the human body.

Cell and molecular biology are key disciplines within the biosciences. This module will introduce you to the 'cell' as a fundamental unit of life. You will learn about cell structure and function in the context of the tissue that cells belong to, protein synthesis and trafficking, cell communication and cell signalling, the cell cycle and programmed cell-death, and the significance of stem cells.

This module introduces you to the world of microbiology. The diversity of microorganisms, their habitats and relationships with humans will be explored. This module examines the properties of microorganisms, their structures and compositions and their interactions with the human body in health and disease.

This module will introduce you to the structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) of the adult human body. It aims to provide you with a solid grounding into the cells, tissues and organs that allow the different organ systems to function effectively, so that you can understand the pathophysiology resulting from dysfunction.

Pharmacology is the science of drugs and their effect on living systems. First defined in the 19th century, pharmacology began with studies of the biological effects of naturally occurring compounds. In more recent times, advancements in synthetic chemistry led to a revolution in the pharmaceutical industry, and in the science of pharmacology itself.

The aim of this module is to equip you with the skills needed to critically evaluate and communicate bioscience data and knowledge, using a variety of formats and at a level appropriate for the target audience. During the module, you will apply your knowledge of the different styles needed to communicate to other scientists, healthcare workers, and the general public, to develop engaging and effective communications, using for instance scientific papers, posters and presentations, webpages, soci

This module will build upon the level 4 Microbiology module and introduce you to the anatomy and function of the immune system and immunopathology. In the medical microbiology section, we will introduce you to key pathogenic microorganisms and how they cause disease. Indicative topics will include epidemiology, virology, skin infections, GI tract infections, CNS infections, respiratory tract infections, UTI and STD infections.

In this module, you will gain knowledge and understanding of the rapidly expanding field of biomaterials and tissue engineering, building on your existing knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, and cell biology. Biomaterials and tissue engineering is an ever-growing field of biotechnology that will become increasingly important for human health in the coming years. Having the ability to repair damaged or diseased human tissue will improve both patient care and quality of life.

The aim of this module is to provide you with a holistic perspective of how human nutrition and cellular metabolism are linked to human physiology, health, and disease. Key features of this module include the key nutritional requirements of the human body (including major macro- and micro-nutrients), and the relationship between nutrition and human physiological function. Building on your first-year Biochemistry module, you will expand your knowledge and understanding of major metabolic pathways

The module will start with an understanding of the global burden of disease. Then you will be taught pathophysiology at the cellular level, including cell injury, aging and death, and inflammation. There will then be a focus on alterations caused by diseases and conditions in cardiac function, respiratory function, kidney function, gastro-intestinal tract, and neurological function.

In this module you will explore the various types of research that are conducted in the Biosciences. You will learn how to find, read, and interpret scientific publications, and how to use existing research to form new and exciting research hypothesis. You will also learn about the legal, ethical and safety issues that surround different types of research in biomedical sciences too. We will introduce you to bioinformatics and other forms of big data that drive many new advances in healthcare and

In this module you will complete a substantial piece of independent research, with the guidance and supervision of an academic member of staff. The module will provide you with an authentic experience of how scientific information is reviewed, and how novel information is acquired, analysed, and presented. You will be involved in the initial planning of the project, the continual project development, and be responsible for the communication of the research findings.

In this module you will develop an in depth understanding how genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics have contributed to our understanding of a range of diseases and is transforming the diagnosis and clinical management of disease. You will explore the principles and applications of personalised medicine, emphasising the role of human molecular genetics in tailoring medical treatments to individual patients.

This module aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of a broad range of advanced immunology topics. The module will build on the foundation of immunology knowledge provided in the 2nd year of the course, layering over clinical elements including the dysfunctional immune system and the aetiology of immune-mediated disease. You will review the 'bench-to-bedside' approach that underpins advancements in immune-biotechnology, and will evaluate the principles of antibody engineering, va

In this module you will explore the concept of ageing and its clinical importance. You will look at the physiological changes that occur in the body as we age and the pathophysiology of chronic diseases. To help with this you will have the opportunity to learn about and gain experience in utilising some of the clinical tests that are employed to diagnose diseases associated with ageing. The aim is to develop an understanding of the ageing process and be able to provide ideas on how it may be pos

Within the last decade, outbreaks and epidemics on the global scale have been experienced. The socioeconomic burden of infectious diseases globally is huge and recent experiences with epidemics and the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the fragility of health systems globally as well as significant global healthcare inequities.

This module you will learn about both toxicology (the study of toxins) and pharmacology (the study of drug development and metabolism). Both subjects have a profound impact upon human health and disease. The pharmacology part of the module will build upon your first-year Introduction to Pharmacology module and focus on aspects of medical pharmacology. You will have the opportunity to explore how drugs are developed and learn how drugs are tested for safety and efficacy.

In this module you will explore the human proteome, covering protein synthesis and folding, and the relationship between protein structure and function. That will include learning about the protein-protein interactions that are crucial for cellular function, and how we investigate these interactions using methods such as yeast hybrid, and co-immunoprecipitation. Over 30% of all human proteins are targeted to different cellular compartments or secreted from cells, and you will learn about how pro