Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (Cellular Pathology)

at University of Westminster - Cavendish Campus United Kingdom

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.

This course is designed to give you the opportunity to study and analyse the theoretical and practical basis of medical microbiology and many of the specialist areas within it. You will gain greater insight into the importance and role of medical microbiology, with an emphasis on cutting edge areas such as molecular diagnostics and genomics, emerging pathogens and antibiotic resistance.

You will study a range of core and option modules that will allow you to tailor studies to your own requirements. You will expand your knowledge of the basic science and analytical techniques relating to medical microbiology and gain an up-to-date understanding of the application of medical microbiology in bioscience/pharmaceutical research, as well as in diagnostic and therapeutic medicine. There will be an emphasis in the course on development of critical analysis skills in assessment of scientific literature and laboratory data. In addition you will have the opportunity to design and execute your own research project. The course team is supported by visiting lecturers who are practising scientists in the field, which helps to ensure that taught material is current and relevant.

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.

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

Recent technological advances decreasing hardware costs and the ‘Internet of things’ has led to a rapid explosion in the amount of data generated in a variety of domains, including data-driven science, telecommunications, social media, large-scale e-commerce, medical records and e-health. Big data refers to the ability of exploiting these massive amounts of extremely heterogeneous in structure and content data that are routinely generated at an unprecedented scale from an ever-expanding variety of data sources. Business and industry used their big data to extract a better understanding of customers’ needs and behaviour, to develop targeted new products and to cut operational costs. The competitive advantages and productivity gains that big data brought led to a great number of a big data projects and a shortage of people with the required skills.

This course is aimed at people who want to move into this rapidly expanding and exciting area; it has a strong vocational flavour as it has been designed to build your knowledge and understanding of big data systems architectures and to equip you with the range of highly marketable, hands-on skills employed by the core technologies utilised in big data projects.

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.

In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a year in industry (work placement) after completing the second year of your study. This will help you gain work experience and enhance your employability. You’ll be offered help and support to find and secure placement opportunities through various workshops and events organised by the Careers and Employability Service and the course team. Typically, you will be assigned into roles involving tasks related to software engineering.

Top reasons to study with us

• 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.    

Our Computer Games Development course combines technology and creativity in a multidisciplinary way.

The games industry is an expanding and challenging sector with continually evolving ideas and cutting-edge technologies. It requires practitioners to exercise more flexibility in software specifications and functionality, through adapting their approaches to design and management while keeping abreast of broad changes to technology.

This course covers all major technical aspects of the games development process, from design to production. It aims to prepare you for a career in software development with a particular emphasis on computer games. The course provides you with a solid understanding of game technologies, including programming, applied maths, computer graphics and game engines. You'll develop a broad range of knowledge and skills including mobile and web application development, 3D modelling and animation, and human-computer interaction. To enhance student employability, the course offers a number of talks from the creative industry and will support your participation in prestige game competitions and digital fairs, as well as industrial placements and internships.

The primary language you'll learn is C++, but you'll also have the opportunity to engage with other languages and software, such as C#, Python (Machine Learning, Algorithms), JavaScript and Swift for Android and iOS development. For character development we use Adobe Maya, Photoshop, 3DS Max and 3D Coat. The course focuses on using Unreal Engine 4 and Blueprints technology, but students will have the opportunity to engage with any of the commercial engines across the course.

Top reasons to study with us

• Valuable industry insights – our strong links to the sector ensure the course is taught with the games development industry in mind. Our teaching staff includes academics with experience in the games industry, alongside industry advisors who support the course on all work-based learning projects and competitions
• Work experience before graduation – as part of the course, you'll have the option to work for a year in the industry, gaining valuable work experience and boosting your employability
• Successful alumni – our alumni have found positions in companies including Microsoft, Sega, and Marmalade

The Psychology MSc is a conversion course accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), designed for graduates who wish to pursue a career in psychology but who need to acquire the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the BPS.

You don't need to have studied psychology to be eligible for this course, however, you should note that it's an intensive course and requires hard work and independent full-time study outside of the contact hours.

We welcome applications from graduates with upper second class degrees who've either completed a degree in another subject or who have insufficient psychology in their degree to be eligible for GBC.

You'll take modules at Master's level in core areas of psychology, as specified by the BPS. You'll also take one option module in psychology from a selection available within the department. We offer a work experience in psychology module as an option if you would like to gain valuable experience in the workplace.

Our course curriculum covers the core areas of psychology stipulated by the BPS for GBC (biological psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, individual differences, social psychology, conceptual and historical issues in psychology, research methods, empirical project). In all of our modules there is a strong emphasis on critical evaluation of theory and practice.

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.

This innovative Master's degree aims to equip students with the skills, knowledge and strategic approach to develop and analyse social change campaigns and activism, with a particular focus on the role of communications and the media. This is the only postgraduate programme of its kind, and has a flexible delivery to suit both full-time and part-time students.

The course builds on our close links with leading campaigners and communicators in London's vibrant social change sector. An advisory panel, with representatives from Amnesty UK, Friends of the Earth, Save the Children, WaterAid, SumOfUs, Advocacy Hub, Campaign Bootcamp, FairSay and The National Council of Voluntary Organisations among others, will ensure we always reflect the skill sets in demand and deliver an exciting learning experience. A limited number of work placements and internships will be available.