Medical Biology is the corner stone of modern health care and drug development, forming a bridge between fundamental research and clinical medicine. You’ll learn about cellular and genetic causes of major medical disorders such as cancer and autoimmune diseases with a strong emphasis on pre-clinical research and modern laboratory techniques. You’ll benefit from the expertise of the North West Cancer Research Institute. Graduates work in biotechnology, drug development, clinical research or public health services.

As illustrated by the rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a thorough understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying health and disease is fundamental for the development of novel diagnostic procedures and treatments. This also applies to the development of diagnostics and treatments for other diseases, e.g. cancer, cardiovascular, neurological and immunological disorders.

The objective of this research-led programme is to educate skilled graduates who contribute to research in industry as well as in academia. You’ll learn about the cellular and genetic causes of medical disorders such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, etc., with a strong emphasis on pre-clinical research, molecular genetics and modern laboratory techniques, taught in extensive practicals in our state-of-the-art laboratories. The medical biology course is created to provide you with the skills, knowledge and understanding needed for a career in biomedical sciences or to prepare you for further study, including graduate-level entry into medicine, dentistry, or research-based postgraduate Masters or PhD degrees.

Why choose Bangor University for this course?

• Top 5 for Teaching Quality and Student Experience (Times Good University Guide 2021).
• Top 10 for Career Prospects (Guardian Good University Guide 2021).
• Top 10 for Research Quality (Complete University Guide 2021).
• Our expertise in medical biology encompasses studies into cell cycle research, cancer biology, neurobiology and development, cell and genome biology.
• Excellent facilities include well equipped cell and molecular research labs and newly refurbished practical teaching labs.

As illustrated by the rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a thorough understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying health and disease is fundamental for the development of novel diagnostic procedures and treatments. This also applies to the development of diagnostics and treatments for other diseases, e.g. cancer, cardiovascular, neurological and immunological disorders. The objective of this research-led programme is to educate skilled graduates who contribute to research in industry as well as in academia. You’ll learn about the cellular and genetic causes of medical disorders such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, etc., with a strong emphasis on pre-clinical research, molecular genetics and modern laboratory techniques, taught in extensive practicals in our state-of-the-art laboratories. The medical biology course is created to provide you with the skills, knowledge and understanding needed for a career in biomedical sciences or to prepare you for further study, including graduate-level entry into medicine, dentistry, or research-based postgraduate Masters or PhD degrees.

What will you study on this course?

Year 1

The first year is an introduction to important aspects of Biomedical Sciences and includes lectures, laboratory practical sessions and tutorial sessions in key foundation subjects. Your first year modules have an emphasis on developing the key factual and practical skills which you will require to progress with the remainder of your studies. Examples of material you’ll be covering include human physiology, molecular genetics, cell biology, microbiology, chemistry as well as fundamental academic skills. In your laboratory sessions we’ll teach you how to work safely within a laboratory environment as well as the wider regulatory frameworks in which laboratory environments operate.

Year 1 is common to all three of the degrees listed below which gives you the opportunity to change to one of the other degrees (subject to eligibility criteria), giving you the flexibility to change degree routes before the start of year two if your interests change.

• Biomedical Science (B102)
• Medical Sciences (B100)
• Medical Biology (B103)

Year 2 & 3

A significant part of the curriculum consists of subjects directly relevant for the understanding of molecular mechanisms of disease, e.g. Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Immunology. Especially In the 3rd year you’ll focus on research and will participate in an advanced two week full day practical (Laboratory Molecular Research) and attend state of the art research seminars given by distinguished external speakers. You’ll also undertake your final year research project and could, for example, be supervised by specialist researchers in the well-equipped laboratories of the North West Cancer Research Institute.

Internships and work experience are encouraged and supported during your degree, to help you gain an insight into the world of work and give you a competitive edge. We offer the opportunity to take short work placements (over a summer holiday) or year-long ‘sandwich’ placements, with all of our degree programmes.

Modules for the current academic year

Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Medical Biology Modules page.

Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.

As a Medical Biology graduate, you’ll have an excellent set of career options. You’ll be well placed to meet the recruitment needs of employers in the areas of biotechnology, drug development, clinical research or public health services. Medical biologists can also become involved in intellectual property management, business development, project management or medical marketing and are employed by cancer charities, government agencies, the NHS, research institutes, etc.

Students who want to pursue an advanced research career in academia or industry are advised to continue their education with a postgraduate degree, e.g. the MRes in Molecular Medicine or a PhD degree, for which a degree in Medical Biology provides an excellent foundation.

Medical science covers many subjects which build on a foundation of basic biology and includes areas of specialisation such as Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, and Genetics. Our degrees in Medical Sciences are grounded in modern medical practice and as one of our graduates you’ll have the skills to enter into a range of clinical, medical and healthcare career pathways.

A 'with Foundation Year' option is available for this course. Apply for Biomedical Science (with Foundation Year).