Master of Arts in Media, Campaigning and Social Change

at University of Westminster - Cavendish Campus United Kingdom

Our established programme in Biotechnology, which has been extensively updated, includes a wide range of modern molecular biology techniques and how biotechnology can be used by today's society. You will complement your theoretical studies with hands on experience of fully controlled fermenters that are up to pilot-plant scale, and are linked to modern monitoring and control systems.

You will study a range of subjects in considerable depth, including bioactive compounds, industrial bioprocesses, microbial physiology and fermentation technology, microbial production of novel metabolites, monitoring and control of fermentation, topics in biotechnology, and types of bioreactors.

Biomedical science is concerned with the detailed study of the human body, both in health and disease, with emphasis on the diagnosis and understanding of disease states and the mechanisms involved.

In Year 1 you'll study the important fundamental sciences, including biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, and human anatomy and physiology.

In Year 2 you'll develop your understanding of a wide range of disease processes, combined with the principles of laboratory procedures used to aid diagnosis and treatment.

Between Years 2 and 3, the sandwich placement is an excellent opportunity to experience the reality of work, usually in a biomedical diagnostics laboratory, pharmaceutical industry or a research institute. You will put into practice what you have learned at the University, learn new skills and gain hands-on laboratory experience. All placement opportunities are competitive and you will have the support and guidance of your department, the Career Development Centre and the University’s Placement Officer.

As part of the placement year you will undertake an academic module which will contribute to your degree and, where applicable, undertake the Institute of Biomedical Science Certificate of Competence. Sandwich year placements can be in the UK or abroad. 

In Year 3 you'll focus on the study of the complex nature of disease as it affects particular biological systems. You'll also study the laboratory procedures used in haematology, clinical immunology, cellular and molecular pathology, clinical biochemistry and medical microbiology, to diagnose and monitor disease. You'll also undertake a major research project, which will enable you to develop the skills you need for genuine scientific inquiry.

Working in the world of information systems can be exciting and rewarding as businesses become more and more reliant on information systems to support innovation, decision making and day-to-day operations.

The creative use of information systems can transform organisations. Successful enterprises require hybrid managers and analysts who can evaluate and use the tools, gauge the risks and provide the key insights and sound direction for strategic business planning.

Our Business Information Systems BSc will give you a clear perspective of the current nature and practice of business information systems, and will develop your understanding of the business challenges of an enterprise, and your ability to conceive and manage solutions which are increasingly ICT dependent.

You’ll integrate your skills of problem solving and information systems modelling with your knowledge of business processes and environments. You’ll be able to consult on, support or develop the technological platforms of an enterprise to achieve competitive advantage, building a career in roles ranging from systems developer to business manager.

Our course offers a short-term work-based learning experience that will give you the opportunity to work on a real-life problem, which is normally set by an external organisation as a small-scale project. This experience will allow you to put your new knowledge and skills into practice by addressing a real-life situation, usually within the context of a business-related problem.

Biomedical science is concerned with the detailed study of the human body, both in health and disease, with emphasis on the diagnosis and understanding of disease states and the mechanisms involved.

In Year 1 you'll study the important fundamental sciences, including biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, and human anatomy and physiology.

In Year 2 you'll develop your understanding of a wide range of disease processes, combined with the principles of laboratory procedures used to aid diagnosis and treatment.

In Year 3 you'll focus on the study of the complex nature of disease as it affects particular biological systems. You'll also study the laboratory procedures used in haematology, clinical immunology, cellular and molecular pathology, clinical biochemistry and medical microbiology, to diagnose and monitor disease. You'll also undertake a major research project, which will enable you to develop the skills you need for genuine scientific inquiry.

Our Biological Sciences BSc will give you a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and the key skills to prepare you for careers ranging from research, medicine, science and education, to law and management.

Our flexible course enables you to focus on molecular science, human biology or applied biosciences, or take a route designed specifically toward your own interests.

Alongside developing an excellent foundation in biological knowledge, through the study of our core modules, you'll be able to explore global challenges facing humanity and the planet – and the biological solutions to help overcome those challenges – through an extensive range of optional subjects.

You'll have the chance to explore cutting-edge topics in molecular biology and genetics, microbiology, the urban environment, global challenges, pharmacology, and biological applications. Our modules are research driven, with a passion for scientific enquiry.

You'll also have the opportunity to undertake a lab-based final-year project, giving you experience in the latest methods and developments in medical and scientific research.

The University Careers and Employability Service and course-related events provide opportunities to discover a range of bioscience-related careers to support you in preparing for your future.

Our Biological Sciences BSc has been designed to provide a thorough knowledge of biosciences and to equip you with vital transferable skills that will help you to succeed in both science and non-science careers.

Our Biochemistry BSc will give you the skills and knowledge to establish yourself in a range of careers related to biochemistry, including the pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnology industries.

Biochemistry is a pivotal degree discipline and a fundamental part of all the biological sciences. It is the study of living systems at the molecular level, and biochemists study the ways in which cells and organisms are formed. This involves examining the structure and function of molecules found in living systems, as well as experimental investigations of the properties of biological systems ranging in complexity from cell extracts to whole organisms, and elucidating the roles of specific genes in the cells in which they are expressed.

The foundation of our course is our thriving research in diverse areas of biochemistry, including biotechnology, cancer biology, membrane transport, molecular diagnostics and therapeutics, plant biochemistry, and protein structure.

In this degree, you'll gain a sound foundation in chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology and analytical biochemical techniques. Your laboratory and research skills will be developed throughout your degree, culminating in your final-year project in which you'll undertake original research of your own.

Software engineering is the application of engineering methods, practices and disciplines to the creation and maintenance of software applications and systems. A professional software engineer works with these engineering approaches to develop software in a systematic, quantifiable and disciplined way.

By choosing this course, you’ll get the essential practical experience of programming and applying software engineering to a number of new and important areas of IT and computing. In addition, you’ll develop a strong grasp of the theory that underpins these practical skills.

To ensure that you have the best possible employment prospects at the end of the course, you’ll gain skills that cover a variety of areas: technical skills, such as programming, object-oriented software development, practical experience of software development tools; soft skills, such as analytical and critical thinking, communication, presenting and demonstrating, team working, and peer reviewing; and career skills, such as CV writing, planning, job searching, interview practice.

Pharmacology and physiology are two closely related disciplines. Pharmacology is the study of drug action and how medicines may modify disease states. Physiology is concerned with how the body and its systems are controlled, and in the changes that lead to disease states (pathophysiology).

This course will provide you with a sound understanding of the biological action of drugs and other biomolecules at the whole-body, tissue, cellular and sub-cellular levels, and their uses as medicines for the treatment of disease. It provides an ideal grounding for a career in the pharmaceutical industry or other areas of biomedical research, academia, the Scientific Civil Service and healthcare provision.

Opportunities exist for you to enhance your practical and related transferable skills within our research laboratories. Teaching is informed by high-quality research in relevant cognate areas, within the department.

Top reasons to study with us

• Build a successful career – this course will give you the knowledge and skills for a career in the pharmaceutical industry or other areas of biomedical research
• Make the most of our facilities – develop your skills in our fully equipped laboratories, and benefit from our APOLLO Patient Care Simulator platform
• Learn from our expert teaching staff – teaching is informed by high-quality research, delivering the forefront of current and cutting-edge science to students

This exciting interdisciplinary degree considers how the structure and function of the brain gives rise to mental processes while it interacts with its physical, social, and cultural environment.

Cognitive and clinical neuroscience blends theoretical, experimental and applied aspects of psychology with neuroscience, and overlaps with other psychological disciplines including physiological, cognitive and clinical psychology, developmental science, psychopharmacology and neuroanthropology.

Our unique course places a particular focus on brain-behaviour relationships, by bringing together evidence from molecular and cellular neuroscience, brain injury studies, neurological illness, and also looks at developmental and cognitive aspects. It explores a wide range of research-based and clinically relevant methodologies including brain imaging, computational modelling and comparative cognition (considering evolutionary and developmental approaches).

During your degree, you’ll consider all aspects of cognitive functioning, from learning, memory and language through to concepts such as intelligence, decision-making, creativity and consciousness.

Our course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to develop a career across a vast range of highly sought-after employment areas, including academic research, clinical psychology, experimental research, IT and neuropsychology. You’ll also gain the transferable and cognitive skills necessary for lifelong personal and professional development.

Our course examines the best ways to design, build, maintain and evaluate software systems. It uses many of the technical aspects of computer science, especially programming, and aims to develop the professional attitudes, interpersonal and technical skills you’ll need in the software engineering industry.

The course provides a solid foundation in software engineering theory and practice to develop professional software systems. It will equip you to take up a wide range of career opportunities, including software engineer, web application programmer, software designer/analyst or website designer/programmer.

You’ll study software development, programming languages, technologies and applications including Python, Java, HTML, PHP, UML, database technologies, machine learning, algorithms and data structures, web and mobile computing, Agile software development, Big Data technologies, cloud computing, concurrency and formal methods. Sharing a common first year with the Computer Science BSc Honours course to which you can transfer in Year 1, you specialise is Software Engineering from Year 2.

In Year 4 (Master's level), our integrated Master's course enables you to extend your knowledge and experience of software engineering gained at the BEng level by studying and developing systems of increased complexity, gaining a developer knowledge of new paradigms and studying advanced issues around cybersecurity – threats facing businesses and organisations that depend on IT systems.

Top reasons to study with us

• Our integrated Master's course will give you advanced software engineering knowledge
• Our course will help you develop your problem-solving skills. We practise problem-based teaching, allowing you to develop your skills in analysing problems within contexts so you can find the best technological solutions
• You'll be involved in real-life projects and gain hands-on experience of working either individually or in a software development team
• Our course reflects the dynamics of the software industry – you'll learn state-of-the-art techniques and subjects such as machine learning, AI algorithms, robotics and smart systems, the Internet of Things, Big Data technologies, complex heterogeneous systems, and cloud-based, distributed and parallel software solutions
• You'll qualify for free British Computer Society (BCS) academic membership for the duration of your studies. The BCS supports those working in the IT industry and has a commitment to making IT good for society. The organisation has over 60,000 members in 150 countries, and a wider community of business leaders, educators, practitioners and policy-makers. Membership of the BCS will allow you to continue your professional development and enjoy a range of valuable networking opportunities.